The 12.13 (85) apiece result came after the Kangaroos staged an incredible comeback from over seven goals down to hit the lead at the 22-minute mark of the final term.
They moved one point in front with a goal to David Hale, before Richard Tambling blew a chance to regain the lead for the Tigers three minutes later, shanking his kick from 30m to hit the post.
The Roos got another goal through Leigh Harding 40 seconds later, before Mitch Morton replied.
With less than a minute remaining and the scores level, Hale marked within the Roos' attacking arc but gave away a free kick to Jarrod Silvester in the process. The ball rebounded and was on the members' wing when the siren rang.
Kangaroos captain Brent Harvey (31 touches) was the instigator in his side's revival, and nearly won them the game with two final-term goals.
Leigh Harding was another who fought valiantly for his side to end with three goals, Hamish McIntosh monstered the ruck with 31 hit-outs and seven tackles, and Josh Gibson played well in defence after a stint in the middle.
For the Tigers, Chris Newman was excellent with eight inside 50s and seven tackles, Richard Tambling continued his rich vein of form with 27 touches and Shane Edwards did well with contested work.
Jade Rawlings’ men were dealt a double blow ahead of the first bounce when Ben Cousins and Trent Cotchin withdrew with illness.
The opening 10 minutes of the match didn't promise a scintillating contest, with just one goal to North Melbourne's Lachie Hansen.
But after Robbie Nahas kicked his first at the 11-minute mark, the Tigers went on a free-scoring rampage.
Jack Riewoldt smartly marked in the air two minutes later to put the yellow and black in front, before Dean Polo accurately crumbed a ball deep in attack and Nahas snared his second after a second infringement by Brady Rawlings.
Trailing by 20 points at the first change, things only got worse for the Kangas early in the second quarter, with Riewoldt goaling within two minutes after the Tigers again won the midfield battle.
McIntosh finally kicked the Roos’ first goal in over a quarter at the 13-minute mark, but after allowing the gap to close to within four goals, the Tigers put the foot to the floor and booted the last three of the half.
North coach Darren Crocker did away with his experimental set-up in the second half, starting with Gibson back in defence and Rawlings running with Brett Deledio after previously minding Nahas deep in attack.
Whether it was the changes across the field or an inspirational half-time address, the Roos were a different side.
After Harding and Edwards traded majors, the Roos began to hit their forward targets, kicking five goals to one for the quarter to trail by 16 points at the final change.
Nine tense minutes elapsed before the first goal of the final term, and it went Harvey's way. When the skipper followed up with another two minutes later, the Roos were within two points and the stage was set for an unlikely thriller.
Richmond 4.5 10.6 11.9 12.13 (85)
North Melbourne 1.3 3.6 8.11 12.13 (85)
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Nahas 2, Morton 2, Polo, Coughlan, Hislop, White, Edwards
North Melbourne: Harding 3, Harvey 2, Hale 2, Hansen, McIntosh, Greenwood, Jones, Swallow
BEST
Richmond: Newman, Tambling, Edwards, Morton, Tuck, Deledio, Coughlan
North Melbourne: Harvey, McIntosh, Harding, Power, Thompson, Swallow, Gibson
INJURIES
Richmond: Cousins (ill), Cotchin (ill), replaced in selected side by McMahon, Coughlan
North Melbourne: Hale (leg), Swallo (corked knee), Firrito (corked buttock)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: James, Margetts, Sully
Official crowd: 30,604 at the MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
