It was a highly competitive meeting between North Melbourne and Richmond at Arden Street on Friday morning.
The contest was hectic early with the attack on the ball fierce from both sides, mainly the Kangaroos, and a swirly wind wreaking havoc with foot skills.
It did settle by the second term with the Tigers eventually running out two-point winners - 11.9.(75) to 10.13.(73) - having trailed by 10 points at quarter time.
Alastair Clarkson’s North side showed they will be much harder to score against this year. Their pressure around the contest was noticeable and their structure and game style, particularly when slingshotting off half-back, was much improved.
Rest + reset.#Kangas pic.twitter.com/rzaSRdxv97
— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) February 24, 2023
Classy Sheezel
No.3 draft pick Harry Sheezel gave North fans something to be excited about with some memorable moments in the first term, kicking two goals including a classy snap.
His quick hands at half-back opened up the ground which resulted in a goal to Charlie Comben.
He was quiet thereafter before bobbing up with another crafty goal over his head in the fourth term.
New-look Tigers midfield
Richmond’s big gun recruits Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto spent massive amounts of time in the middle with Dion Prestia, locking horns with North’s preferred brigade of Luke Davies-Uniacke, Cam Zurhaar, Will Phillips and Tom Powell.
Taranto was dangerous in attack, kicking a lovely banana from the pocket in the second term before a second goal with a composed finish in the third. He also kicked two behinds, getting forward regularly from stoppages.
He and Hopper got plenty of the ball in positive signs for Damirn Hardwick's side.
Other observations
Martin and Cotchin almost exclusively forward
Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin spent almost all of their time as forwards.
Martin roamed across half-forward and was involved in plenty of link play. He also impacted the scoreboard with two quality third-quarter goals, one a bouncing snap from just inside 50.
Cotchin provided pressure and grunt and kicked a clever crumbing goal.
Double Dusty delight 🎬#LevelUp #gotiges pic.twitter.com/RLADvPyQ7t
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) February 24, 2023
Zurhaar the midfielder
Cam Zurhaar could be set for more midfield time in 2023. The bullocking forward attended most centre bounces and was influential from a clearance viewpoint.
He did get forward to kick a goal and provided plenty forward of centre.
Young Tigers show a bit
Samson Ryan showed a bit up forward, filling the Tom Lynch void. He kicked two goals and was a constant target, taking a couple of nice contested marks.
Tom Brown was impressive off half-back providing plenty of run with a side of poise and toughness.
Rookie draft selection Tylar Young played deep in defence and fellow rookie Seth Campbell kicked a goal and had a tidy goal assist in the fourth quarter after coming on late.
North’s tall forwards
With less Zurhaar, the Kangaroos forward line setup was often tall comprised of Nick Larkey, Charlie Comben and Callum Coleman-Jones, while the medium-sized Eddie Ford spent time inside 50.
Regulars who didn’t play
North Melbourne: Jy Simpkin, Ben Cunnington, Todd Goldstein.
Richmond: Tom Lynch, Shai Bolton, Jack Graham, Nathan Broad, Liam Baker, Tyler Sonsie, Marlion Pickett.