NORTH Melbourne has answered a fierce challenge to its finals credentials and probably hammered the final nail in Richmond's coffin with a rollicking come-from-behind 28-point triumph at Etihad Stadium.
Trailing by 35 points at half-time, the Roos piled on eight goals in an exhilarating 19 minutes in the third quarter to set up a 17.14 (116) to 13.10 (88) victory.
The storming win saw North finally shrug off its inconsistent form by stringing together consecutive wins for the first time since round four.
It keeps the Roos within a game of the top four at 7-4, while the Tigers have surely seen their season slip away at 3-8.
North coach Brad Scott had mixed emotions, one of them relief, post-match.
"I thought it showed unbelievable resolve and character of our group to be outplayed for most of the first half and then to be able to respond," he said.
"They exceeded my expectations in the third quarter so I won't be putting any ceiling on what we can do in a quarter of footy anymore."
Veteran Brent Harvey again showed he is still arguably the Roos' most important player after 373 games with three goals and 25 possessions.
Harvey's second major to start the third term sparked the avalanche of goals to the Lockett End.
He had strong support from Levi Greenwood, Andrew Swallow and ruckman Todd Goldstein in midfield.
Robin Nahas, delisted by the Tigers at the end of last year, booted two goals and fired-up the 32,977-strong crowd.
Key forward Drew Petrie returned to form with four goals – three in the third quarter – and took some strong contested marks.
However, it looked as though the Roos' rollercoaster campaign would continue in the first half.
North was shell-shocked as Richmond came out breathing fire following a brutal review of its appalling loss to Essendon.
Even before the first bounce, assistant coach Mark Williams reportedly jumper-punched Ben Griffiths on the interchange bench in a sign Richmond had come to play.
Ty Vickery then marked his return by wrestling Michael Firrito to the ground and forcing the Roos veteran to seek attention for a cut under his eye.
The incidents set the tone with flare-ups erupting throughout the match.
The Tigers grabbed the initiative early, playing the bold and confident brand of football that lifted them to fifth last season.
Richmond kicked three of the first four goals, although North steadied to only trail by a point at the first change.
But Richmond's seven-goal to one second term got the Tiger Army roaring.
Dustin Martin booted three of his four majors and was Richmond's best player with 28 touches, although he was well held after the main break.
The Roos trailed in almost every key statistic at half-time, but bounced back to win possessions 357-355, contested possessions 143-120, tackles 76-64, clearances 36-22 and halve the inside 50 count 49-all.
Their dominance was reflected by their 13 goals to three after the main break.
"It was a tale of two halves really," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.
"We dominated them the first half and they dominated us in the second half.
"The scoreboard reflected that. To give up eight goals in the third quarter, on the back of a contested ball smashing…You're never going to win games of footy if you get beaten that comprehensively."
Jack Riewoldt kicked three goals in the losing cause, while Bachar Houli gathered 30 touches.
Although North will be buoyed by the win, questions remain about Majak Daw's position after he was substituted out of the game at half-time with minimal impact.
Robin Nahas and Nick Dal Santo unveil their synchronised goal celebration. Picture: AFL Media
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.3 4.7 12.11 17.14 (116)
RICHMOND 3.4 10.6 11.8 13.10 (88)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Petrie 4, Harvey 3, Bastinac 2, Ziebell 2, Nahas 2, Greenwood, Black, Cunnington, Goldstein
Richmond: Martin 4, Riewoldt 3, Morris, Thomas, Edwards, Vickery, Maric, Dea
BEST
North Melbourne: Harvey, Swallow, Greenwood, Petrie, Goldstein, Nahas, Ziebell
Richmond: Martin, Thomas, Houli, Ellis, Miles
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Lindsay Thomas (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Sam Wright, Adams (head)
Richmond: TBC
SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Liam Anthony replaced Majak Daw at half-time
Richmond: Ben Lennon replaced Ben Griffiths in the third quarter
Reports: Michael Firrito (North Melbourne) for striking Ty Vickery (Richmond) in the first quarter
Umpires: Hoskin, Schmitt, Mollison
Official crowd: 32,977 at Etihad Stadium
