Match result 

North Melbourne 17.7.109 def Richmond 11.14.80 

Player stats

AFL

Paul Ahern (33 disposals, 7 tackles), Sam Durdin (22 disposals, 6 marks), Kyron Hayden (22 disposals, 4 marks), Tom Campbell (21 disposals, 36 hit-outs), Taylor Garner (18 disposals, 3 goals), Nathan Hrovat (17 disposals, 2 goals), Aaron Hall (15 disposals, 2 goals), Bailey Scott (14 disposals, 3 marks), Declan Watson (14 disposals, 3 marks), Ben McKay (13 disposals, 5 marks), Tom Murphy (13 disposals, 5 marks), Curtis Taylor (12 disposals, 3 goals), Lachie Hosie (10 disposals, 3 goals), Joel Crocker (9 disposals, 2 tackles), Tristan Xerri (9 disposals, 7 tackles),

VFL

Alex Morgan (20 disposals, 3 marks), Ryan Morrison (16 disposals, 3 marks), Dan Robinson (16 disposals, 1 goal), Nash Holmes (13 disposals, 8 tackles), Louis Cunningham (12 disposals, 2 tackles), Ty Leonardis (11 disposals, 1 goal), Brendan Whitecross (10 disposals, 3 marks), Lachlan McClean (7 disposals, 3 marls) 

Recap 

North Melbourne capped off a perfect weekend for the club on Saturday afternoon, as it defeated the previously undefeated Richmond by 29-points. 

The VFL side made it two upset wins in two days against the Tigers, following in the footsteps of the AFL team on Friday night. 

The match also saw the return of football to the Roos’ spiritual home, with the hundreds of fans in attendance delighted with the result. 

The home side dominated from the outset, and led at every change.

After a lacklustre first half, the ladder-leading Tigers came out firing in the third, cutting the lead to just two points. 

But North dug deep, and eventually ran out comprehensive winners. 

There were a number of standout performances in the win, but Paul Ahern was arguably the best player on the ground.

The midfielder was at his silky best, finding plenty of the footy (33 disposals), and his clever use of the ball and decision were exciting to watch. 

The forward line was also in impressive form, with Taylor Garner, Curtis Taylor and new recruit Lachie Hosie bagging 3 goals apiece.

It was a complete performance from the Roos, as they notched up their second win of the season, sending home Richmond empty handed for the first time this season.

What the coach said 

“We were rapt. The boys have been in a position over the last month where we have been in winnable positions in nearly every game we’ve played in,” David Loader told North Media post-match.

“There’s been a real build to what this group’s going be capable of.

“It was fantastic to return to Arden Street, the home of the Shinboners. It was always going to be important, and we spoke about the importance of that before the game, and the boys really seemed ready for it.

“We saw the brand of footy that we want to be known for. It was contested, we kept coming forward at them (the Tigers), and our pressure factor would have been really high.” 

Best of the AFL 

Paul Ahern 

Ahern was at the top of his game, finding and using the ball to an elite standard (33 disposals), and impressing with his pressure (7 tackles). 

Best of the VFL 

Dan Robinson

Robinson put in a solid shift for the Roos collecting 16 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles and kicking an important goal.