MOST small forwards love getting under their opponents' skin, but it's even better when those rivals are your ex-teammates.

Just ask Robin Nahas, who reveled in a physical encounter against his old club, Richmond, on Sunday night.

Delisted by the Tigers after last season, Nahas exacted some revenge in North Melbourne's stunning come-from-behind 28-point win.

The 176cm livewire had 18 possessions, laid four tackles and booted two goals.

Few of the 108 majors in his career would have been more satisfying than the one that put the Roos ahead in the third quarter.

With North turning the tide after trailing by 35 points at half-time, Nahas ran onto a Brent Harvey handball and brought the Roos faithful to their feet after kicking truly from 30m.

Nahas wheeled away to celebrate and then went looking for his good mate and Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin.

"It was all in good fun. I started a fair bit of it to be honest," Nahas said of the niggle with his former teammates.

"I kicked a goal and ran straight up to 'Cotchy' and gave him a bit of a hit."

Nahas played a key role in firing-up what had been a subdued North crowd in the first half.

"(It was an) exceptional crowd, they've been quick to accept me so I'm extremely happy about that," he said.

"I'm glad we gave them something to roar about."

Nahas' run-ins didn't go unnoticed by Roos coach Brad Scott.

"He's obviously got a few mates at Richmond because they all wanted to bash him," Scott joked post-match.

"But he responded really well to that treatment. As I said to him, if you're a dangerous player you generally cop some decent defensive pressure.

"I was pleased for him, he just played his part but he stood up when he needed to and sat under the footy in tough situations when he knew the contact was coming.

"He took it and he was terrific."

Twitter: @TravKing_AFL