DAMIEN Hardwick's suspicion was right.

North Melbourne had tweaked its ball movement in Brad Scott's final fortnight as coach, but the process went into overdrive under caretaker coach Rhyce Shaw on Friday night.

Shaw's Roos kicked long 45.7 per cent of the time (ranked third for round 11), climbing to 52.4 in set situations (second), compared to 37.1 (13th) and 39.7 (15th), respectively, across the first 10 rounds.

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That percentage of kicks going long spiked from 33.7 per cent in round eight, to 39.3 a week later, then 40.4 in round 10, so there was a gradual shift.

"I really noticed a difference tonight – there's no doubt," Hardwick said after the Tigers' shock 37-point defeat to North.

"But they did go more long down the line last week (against the Western Bulldogs). (It's a) very small sample size, so we'll see how it pans out."

That we will, although the way North moved the Sherrin contrasted with how other teams have approached facing Richmond this season.

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Opposition sides tend to flip the ball around when they take on the Tigers, who concede a competition-most 253 contested possessions per game.

However, the Roos – the AFL's No.1 handball team in the first 10 rounds – went the other way, having their fewest uncontested possessions for the season (212).

Jy Simpkin's positioning changed the most of any of his teammates, but it was more reverting to his predominantly forward role from the opening five rounds of the season.

The 21-year-old spent 86.3 per cent of his time in attack in round 11, compared to 13.7 per cent in the midfield, and he didn't register a single centre attendance.

Simpkin accumulated 43 centre attendances in the previous month, yet had only three across the first five rounds and just once spent more than 13 per cent of his time in the middle.

Captain Jack Ziebell also went from seven centre attendances in round 10 to a team-high 26 on Friday night.

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North Melbourne also transformed from a mediocre side in the clinches to winning a whopping 22 extra contested possessions than Richmond.

The other major difference was the Kangas' drastically improved pressure.

Cam Zurhaar's 11-tackle effort was the headline act, but North as a whole had a club season-high of 72 after averaging an AFL-low 53 in the first 10 rounds.

Their tackle efficiency of 67 per cent was also their second-best for the year.

Dockers' Mr Clutch

Fremantle star Michael Walters left it until after the siren to kick his side to victory a fortnight ago, whereas on Saturday when he repeated the feat there was about 30 seconds to spare.

He is the first player to kick match-winning scores in back-to-back matches since Champion Data began tracking it in 1999.

Michael Walters has done it again! He kicks a set shot goal at the death to give the Dockers the win! pic.twitter.com/mp08BjkMrO

— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) June 1, 2019

King Coniglio in rare company

Giant Stephen Coniglio's brilliant solo performance against Gold Coast on Saturday is even more extraordinary once you delve into the record books.

The looming free agent became just the third player since 2007 to post at least 35 disposals, 10 score involvements, 550 metres gained, five tackles, three goals and three score assists.

Giants star Stephen Coniglio was dominant against the Suns. Picture: AFL Photos

Dogs not the most wayward team yet

The Western Bulldogs' 10.12 (72) scoreline out west against the Eagles on Sunday was the seventh time in 11 rounds this year they have kicked more behinds than goals.

Fitzroy's 1913 squad managed that unwanted feat in all 18 matches it played that season.

However, Richmond's 1989 team – coached by Kevin Bartlett – holds the record of 17 since the season reverted to 22 games.

Luke Beveridge's Dogs would need to register more behinds than goals in each of their remaining 11 contests to 'better' the Tigers' notorious effort.