RICHMOND still has a lot of improving to do but took a nice step forward on Saturday night in demolishing North Melbourne by 54 points at Metricon Stadium.
Six days after battling to win a "horrendous game" against Sydney at the Gabba, the Tigers put the Kangaroos away early with a rampant first quarter.
>> WATCH THE MATCH HIGHLIGHTS IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
They won 11.11 (77) to 2.11 (23) to move into fourth spot on the ladder.
TIGERS ROAR INTO TOP FOUR Full match coverage and stats
The game was effectively over at quarter-time, with Richmond leading 27-0 on the back of an 18-1 inside-50 count.
It was one-way traffic, and although losing Josh Caddy to a hamstring injury in the second term, the Tigers lost none of their hunger, playing with intensity right until the final siren.
While Dustin Martin (16 disposals and two goals) had his moments, and Dylan Grimes excelled in marshalling a defence that could not be penetrated, it was some younger faces that would excite Tiger fans.
Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (23), Jack Higgins (19) and Shai Bolton (19) were among the premiers' best players in an even team performance.
The game was not much short of a nightmare for North Melbourne, losing skipper Jack Ziebell to a hamstring injury and never threatening after the disheartening first quarter.
To compound the Roos' woes, youngster Kyron Hayden was carried off the field in the third quarter after a heavy collision with Tom Lynch.
Hayden courageously ran back with the flight of the ball but was inadvertently caught by Lynch's elbow before crashing to the ground.
It was the Kangaroos' fifth straight loss.
Another hammy for Ziebell
After missing two weeks with a hamstring injury suffered against Hawthorn in round four, Jack Ziebell lasted barely 15 minutes before succumbing to the same problem against the Tigers. In what looked an innocuous incident, the Kangaroos' skipper limped off after failing to get to a marking contest on centre wing. Ziebell looked distraught as he hobbled straight to the team's dressing-room. Josh Caddy suffered the same fate for Richmond in the second quarter.
Is Dusty in trouble?
His teammate Dylan Grimes got reported, but Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin could also be in trouble with the Match Review Officer. Martin let his frustration get the better of him in the second quarter when he let fly with a short right-handed punch to the stomach of Luke McDonald. The incident resulted in a free kick to North, and while McDonald went to ground, he was back to his feet quickly. Grimes was reported during the second term for a high hit on Mason Wood, but the impact looked minimal.
New faces take their chances
With injuries to Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia and Toby Nankervis and personal reasons keeping Shane Edwards and Bachar Houli in Melbourne, the new-look Tigers have been looking for some fresh faces to step up – and on Saturday night they got it. Defender Derek Eggmolesse-Smith was super impressive in his fourth game, using the ball superbly from the back-half. He finished with a polished 23 disposals at 82 percent efficiency. Shai Bolton was also a strong midfield contributor, using his explosive speed to jump from stoppages, win five clearances and propel Richmond into its forward 50 on numerous occasions, gaining 502m for the match.
RICHMOND 4.3 6.5 9.7 11.11 (77)
NORTH MELBOURNE 0.0 2.3 2.6 2.11 (23)
GOALS
Richmond: Aarts 2, Chol 2, Martin 2, Castagna, Lynch, Pickett, Riewoldt, Rioli
North Melbourne: Dumont, Walker
BEST
Richmond: Eggmolesse-Smith, Bolton, Grimes, Short, Higgins, Martin
North Melbourne: Higgins, Walker, Dumont, Hall
INJURIES
Richmond: Caddy (hamstring)
North Melbourne: Zurhaar (calf) replaced in selected side by McKay, Ziebell (hamstring), Hayden (head)
