North was the more committed and skilled team in the conditions, running out emphatic winners 15.13 (103) to 7.11 (53).
The Kangaroos and the Crows are now the only two sides outside the eight with any realistic hope of making the finals, and both kept their hopes alive with wins in round 16, aided by the Sydney Swans big win over Carlton earlier in the afternoon.
The Kangaroos battled through a tough first term, but a late Trent Cotchin hit on young Roo Sam Wright six minutes into the second term - which saw the 20 year old taken straight to the rooms and then to hospital - fired them up, and they booted three goals in four minutes to establish a nice buffer.
The Roos continued their dominance through the third quarter, kicking five goals to Richmond's solitary behind and closing the match as a contest.
The Kangaroos played far better wet-weather football, with their tall forwards staying deep and the small forwards leading up.
Conversely, the Tigers showed none of the terrific footy they played to beat Port on an AAMI Stadium mud heap to win their first match in 2010.
Ruckman Hamish McIntosh played his best game for some time as he dominated the stoppages with fellow tall Todd Goldstein.
Andrew Swallow led the way for the Roos with 31 touches, captain Brent Harvey was terrific as usual and Daniel Wells worked hard to go with his usual flashes of brilliance.
Leigh Adams led his team's scoring sheet with three goals, while Nathan Grima and Brady Rawlings were steady and strong at the back.
Better players were hard to come by for the Tigers, but veteran Ben Cousins - in his first week back in the side after illness - was terrific. He was especially influential in the first half - and had 12 first-quarter disposals - before tiring as the match wore on.
Brett Deledio continued his great form across half-back and fellow defender Kel Moore played well in the wet. Cotchin was exerting a tough physical presence on the game until his report, while Coleman Medal leader Jack Riewoldt finished with three goals.
Next week, the Tigers face top-of-the-table Collingwood in what should be a huge game at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, while North take on the dreadfully out of sorts Essendon.
Richmond 1.5 4.7 4.8 7.11 (53)
North Melbourne 2.4 6.9 11.12 15.13 (103)
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 3, King, Collins, McGuane, Nahas
North Melbourne: Adams 3, Campbell 2, Hansen 2, Firrito, Harvey, Goldstein, Swallow, Wells, Pratt, Urquhart, Warren
BEST
Richmond: Cousins, Connors, Deledio, Tuck, Martin, Webberley, Moore
North Melbourne: Swallow, McIntosh, Adams, Goldstein, Wells, Rawlings, Firrito
INJURIES
Richmond: Thursfield (concussion)
North Melbourne: Wright (ribs), Tarrant (thumb)
Reports: Cotchin (Richmond) reported for charging Wright (North Melbourne) during the second quarter
Umpires: Stevic, Meredith, Mollison
Official crowd: 42,723 at MCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
