North Melbourne has fallen short in its attempt to send off club great Jack Ziebell with a final win, losing to Richmond by 29 points at the MCG.

The Tigers kicked away with three quick goals in the final quarter as they bid farewell to premiership heroes Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt, closing out the game 14.17 (101) to 10.12 (72).

TIGERS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Nick Larkey kicked six goals for the Kangaroos, who were courageous in closing the gap from 22 points at half-time to just nine points at the last change.

Rising Star contender Harry Sheezel had 37 touches, in the process breaking a 33-year-old VFL/AFL record for the most disposals in a debut season.

Ziebell delivered one last golden memory as he bid farewell after 280 AFL games, taking a classic hanger on the wing late in the first quarter.

Some late possessions to Cotchin and a signature high-flying mark for Riewoldt drew raucous applause from the Tiger fans, who gave several standing ovations throughout the day.

North Melbourne challenged Richmond early and led by 14 points 10 minutes into the second term, but the Tigers piled on seven goals to one for the remainder of the quarter, taking a 22-point lead into halftime and were never headed thereafter.

The class of Dustin Martin (31 disposals, three goals) and Shai Bolton (25 disposals, four goals) were the difference but the gallant Kangaroos refused to lie down, with Larkey kicking three third-quarter goals and just nine points separating the two sides at the final change.

But the Tigers steadied, kicking three unanswered goals in the final term to cruise to a comfortable win.

Cotchin, who had battled a calf injury to get back for his farewell game, finished with 18 disposals, while Riewoldt managed just one goal in his final game.

For the Kangaroos, former skipper Ziebell was prolific in his final match, amassing 23 disposals to go with his huge hanger.

Emerging midfielder Tarryn Thomas (25 disposals, two goals) stepped up in the absence of gun midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke, who was a late withdrawal due to a foot injury.

Thomas was classy throughout, kicking goals, setting up teammates with precision kicking and weaving his way through stoppages with ease, while young star Sheezel made plenty of his 37 disposals count.

Spearhead Larkey did his All-Australian selection chances no harm, taking his goal tally to 62 for the season.

Riewoldt finishes his career with 787 goals to his name, leaving him in 13th place on the VFL/AFL goalkicking leaderboard, just short of former teammate Matthew Richardson (800 goals).

Jumping Jack

Just as Ben Cunnington did in his own farewell game last week, Ziebell produced one last magnificent moment to cap his career highlight reel. Showing the spring heels of a player 15 years his junior, Ziebell planted his knees on his Richmond opponent Liam Baker and hauled in a classic hanger on the MCG wing. Although his kick inboard resulted in a turnover goal to the Tigers, no Roos fans watching will forget it.

Sheezel makes history

Ahead of this game, Sheezel required 19 disposals to break a 33-year-old record for most disposals in a debut season. North Melbourne's No.3 needed just a half of football to tie the record, and he broke it two minutes into the third quarter, arrowing a typically pinpoint kick inside 50 which resulted in a goal to Larkey. It only furthers Sheezel's claims to the AFL Rising Star Award, which will be announced next month.

Souv stands up

In a challenging season, Nick Larkey has been one of North Melbourne's consistent performers, and his clean finishing and physicality on Saturday again showed why the club was delighted to secure his signature on a new five-year contract earlier this season. His six goals came from limited opportunities, and he could have had a seventh if he had kicked truly from 30m out straight in front. He moves into outright third in the Coleman Medal race with 62 goals, eight behind leader Charlie Curnow. 

Late change a huge loss

Midfield bull Luke Davies-Uniacke was withdrawn just an hour before the first bounce with a foot injury, leaving a big hole in North Melbourne's midfield. Averaging 27.2 disposals and 6.7 clearances this year, Davies-Uniacke's absence around the ball was felt as Richmond dominated at stoppages. Tarryn Thomas was handy in Davies-Uniacke's absence, but with Dustin Martin in fine form, the Tigers won the clearances 35-26 and made the most of Martin and Shai Bolton's run.

Richmond              2.3   10.5   11.10   14.17 (101)
North Melbourne    3.2   6.7     10.7     10.12 (72)

GOALS
Richmond: Bolton 4, Martin 3, Balta 2, Soldo 2, Nankervis, Prestia, Riewoldt
North Melbourne: Larkey 6, Thomas 2, Curtis, Taylor

BEST 
Richmond: Martin, Bolton, Taranto, Hopper
North Melbourne: Larkey, Sheezel, Thomas, Scott

INJURIES 
Richmond:
North Melbourne: McDonald (hamstring)

LATE CHANGES
Richmond: Nil
North Melbourne: Luke Davies-Uniacke (foot) replaced in selected side by Flynn Perez 

SUBSTITUTES 
Richmond: Maurice Rioli jnr replaced Marlion Pickett at three-quarter time
North Melbourne: Blake Drury replaced Luke McDonald in the second quarter