North Melbourne held off a late Richmond charge to pick up a nail-biting two-point win in Sunday afternoon’s VFL clash at Arden Street.

Kicking the last four goals of the game, the visitors stormed home to set up a blockbuster finish.

But in a result mirroring the AFL match against Richmond earlier in the afternoon, the Kangaroos held their nerve to pick up the 9.8 (62) to 8.12 (60) victory.

KANGAROOS v TIGERS Full match coverage and stats

Momentum ebbed and flowed for much of the afternoon, but the Roos’ best moments came shortly after the main break, with a run of three goals opening up a game-high 30-point margin midway through the third term.

Player watch

Eddie Ford excelled in his shift to half-back, finishing with 26 disposals, 12 marks and 10 intercepts. He fulfilled his defensive duties with a number of important intercept marks, while using his distribution by foot to kickstart the Roos’ ball movement in attack.

Midfielder Will Phillips (21 disposals, five clearances) was clean all over the ground, repeatedly using his composure to burst out of the middle. The former No.3 pick was on fire early in the third term, kicking a goal through a quickfire snap, before hitting up Geordie Payne (11 disposals, one goal) on the lead, who was also dangerous.

Cooper Harvey was clinical in front of goal, kicking a game-high three goals. The lively forward was at the heart of his side’s hot start, kicking two first-quarter goals to help snatch the early momentum, before converting from the 50m arc just before the three-quarter time siren.

Luke Urquhart (22 disposals, eight clearances) was also useful in his return to his natural role as an onballer. The draftee was tough around the contest with his attack on the footy and clearance work, and even crashed through packs with a superb contested juggling mark in the second term.

Playing more time in the midfield, Zac Fisher (22 disposals, six inside 50s) was slick high up the ground with his efforts helping set up numerous scoring opportunities. He also posed a threat at stoppages, and capped off his performance with a composed on-the-run goal from long range early in the final term.

Adam Tomlinson was as reliable as ever in defence, using his physicality and experience to intercept in the air and on the ground, finishing with 27 disposals and 11 intercepts.

Matthew Keast (20 disposals, seven clearances) had another excellent outing in the middle, competing hard with his physicality and poise to pick up seven clearances.

Next up

North Melbourne will take on Collingwood on Sunday, May 25 at Victoria Park. The first bounce is scheduled for 2.05pm AEST.

NORTH MELBOURNE       4.2     5.4     8.8    9.8    (62)
RICHMOND                      1.1     2.5     3.9    8.12   (60)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Harvey 3, Lowe, Goad, Tarrant, Phillips, Payne, Fisher
Richmond: Yassine 2, Lefau, Sonsie, Gray, Alger, Bauer, Clarke

BEST
North Melbourne: Tomlinson, Ford, Hansen jnr, Harvey, Fisher, Urquhart