SUMMARY
Friday night footy heads to Tasmania for the first time and locals should be treated to a fascinating contest between last year's elimination final combatants. After a nightmare start, Richmond has salvaged its season from the brink of disaster courtesy of three straight wins and – with Gold Coast and the Brisbane Lions to come either side of the bye – the finals flame will flicker a little brighter if the Tigers can upset the Roos at their Hobart fortress. North Melbourne suffered its first loss for the season in a slog against the Sydney Swans at the SCG in round 10, in the first match of a tough six-game test of its premiership credentials. Brad Scott's men will be desperate not to cough up their hard-earned lead on top of the ladder by dropping two in a row.
Jack Riewoldt willbe keen for a big performance in Tasmania. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Blundstone Arena, Friday, June 3, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
1EF, 2015, North Melbourne 15.15 (105) d Richmond 14.4 (88) at the MCG
R23, 2015, Richmond 16.12 (108) d North Melbourne 10.7 (67) at Etihad Stadium
R6, 2015, North Melbourne 16.13 (109) d Richmond 10.14 (74) at Blundstone Arena
R12, 2014, North Melbourne 17.14 (116) d Richmond 13.10 (88) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2013, North Melbourne 19.14 (128) d Richmond 8.18 (66) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. In-form Tigers ruckman Shaun Hampson (averaging 29 hit-outs) will have a crucial role restricting Todd Goldstein, who is ranked second for total hit-outs (378 in 10 games). The Kangaroos are the League's best centre clearance team, averaging 14.9.
2. North Melbourne has dominated Richmond recently, winning seven of the last nine contests, including five in a row from 2011-15.
3. The Tigers are facing a tough task at Blundstone Arena, where the Roos have won eight of their last 10 matches, including their last seven in a row.
4. Neither side peppers their attack with inside 50s. The Kangaroos are ranked 10th at 52.7 per game, while Richmond is equal 14th averaging 47.2.
5. The Tigers are excellent at finding targets inside 50. Richmond is ranked fourth (13.5) for marks inside 50 and, although they're ranked 10th, the Roos aren't far behind, taking 12.1 marks on average.
6. North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey is still among the very best in the Schick Official AFL Player Ratings, but he's taken a tumble from 11th in the competition after round four to 24th overall – his lowest-ever ranking.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jack Riewoldt. The talismanic forward returned to his hometown last year and booted three goals in Richmond's round six loss to the Kangaroos, but a Friday night clash with the Tigers fighting to stay in the finals race is the type of stage Riewoldt will want to stamp himself.
PREDICTION: North Melbourne by 16 points
