North has been involved in its share of shootouts this season, but it took a steely defensive mindset into its clash with Richmond. With Lachlan Hansen starting the match loose in the Tigers' forward 50, the Roos were able to choke Richmond's forwards, denying them any space to work in. Hansen was outstanding, regularly flying across packs to thwart Tiger attacks, finishing with a match-high 15 marks (five contested). Scott Thompson cut Tiger spearhead Jack Riewoldt out of the game, keeping him goalless until the 19-minute mark of the final quarter. Riewoldt chimed in with two late goals, but by then the fat lady had lost her voice. Richmond is one of the highest scoring teams this season, but North held them to just five goals until the 19-minute mark of the final quarter before they added three consolation majors.
Full match coverage
The best and worst of Hansen in one
Lachlan Hansen has long frustrated North supporters with his laconic on-field manner. Even in the midst of his current run of career-best form, Hansen showed in one play he is still capable of mixing inspirational play and a brain fade. It happened at the eight-minute mark of the second quarter when he backed back to take a strong mark on the Tigers' goal-line. Going back to attempt a short pass he casually kicked into the Tigers' behind post. Fortunately for the Roos, the umpires brought the ball back when the Tigers attempted to play on, ruling a boundary throw-in had to take place.
Deledio blanketed by Hine
Brett Deledio's importance to Richmond is underlined by the fact he entered Saturday's game as the top-ranked Tiger in the Official AFL Player Ratings, at No. 17 overall. North assigned Taylor Hine to Deledio and the former Gold Coast Sun showed why the Roos pursued him so keenly in last year's trade period before snaring him in the national draft. The type of hardnosed run-with player the Roos have lacked at times in recent seasons, Hine gave Deledio barely a moment's peace in the Roos' 62-point win. Apart from a short time in the third quarter when Deledio went forward, Hine stopped him from having any real influence, restricting him to just 16 possessions.
Black magic
Young Roo Aaron Black has shown enough this season to suggest he can become one of the most exciting key forwards in the competition in future seasons. Late in the third quarter against the Tigers, he showcased the outstanding agility that makes him unusually dangerous at ground level for someone standing 192cm. Running through two Richmond defenders, he tapped the ball forward, took possession and then snapped the ball around his shoulder with two Tigers on his hammer. His snap tracked for North's goal liked it had eyes, finding just enough energy to trickle over the line as Richmond defender Alex Rance made a despairing dive.
Umps make a blue
The umpires at every match this weekend are wearing light blue shirts for a good cause, to support eye care charity OneSight. But their change of colour was confusing for one North Melbourne defender in the first quarter. Appearing to catch a glimpse of blue out of the corner of his eye, he kicked towards it but looked up to see only an umpire and the ball heading towards the boundary line. Fortunately for him the ball did not go out of bounds because he would likely have been pinged for deliberately doing so.
