Adam Goodes was back to his freewheeling best as a midfielder, racking up 33 disposals and three goals to lead the Swans to victory, 12.13 (85) to 7.13 (55).
But the loss wasn't the only bad news for North, with key tall Drew Petrie limping from the ground in the first half in just his second game of the year in his return from continuing foot problems.
Apart from a dour third quarter, North Melbourne rarely threatened the Swans as tall forwards Lachie Hansen and a hobbled Petrie failed to fire.
Brent Harvey, Brady Rawlings and Leigh Adams were among North’s best in the midfield, while Brett Kirk, Nick Malceski and Tadhg Kennelly impressed for the Swans.
Goodes started in the centre square at the first bounce, leaving Richards as the lone tall forward surrounded by crumbers Jarred Moore, Trent Dennis-Lane and Ben McGlynn.
The ploy reaped immediate dividends, with the Swans booting five goals to two in the first term as North Melbourne struggled to clear their defensive 50 amid fierce pressure.
The Roos worked their way free in the second term but struggled to find an avenue to goal - Lewis Roberts-Thomson had Hansen well covered, while Petrie was labouring with a sore foot and left the field midway through the quarter for treatment.
An early goal to Matt Campbell heartened the travelling North fans but, led by a rejuvenated Goodes, the Swans booted three of the next four goals to lead by 23 points at the long break.
However, the momentum swung after half time as North held the Swans goalless in the third term, while booting one of their own.
Leigh Adams goaled in the opening minute of the final term to cut the margin 12 points but Goodes’ long-range reply settled the home crowd’s nerves.
Todd Goldstein’s second goal after a courageous mark tightened the contest once again, before Rhyce Shaw snapped truly from the pocket to seal the game for the Swans.
Sydney Swans: 5.4 8.6 8.9 12.13 (85)
North Melbourne: 2.3 4.7 5.9 7.13 (55)
Goals
Sydney Swans: Goodes 3, Shaw 2, McGlynn, Jack, Bevan, Mumford, Kirk, Dennis-Lane, Malceski
North Melbourne: Campbell 2, Goldstein 2, Thomas, Bastinac, Adams
Best
Sydney Swans: Goodes , Malceski, Roberts-Thomson, Richards, Mumford, Bevan
North Melbourne: McIntosh, Harvey, Campbell, Thomas, Goldstein, Rawlings
Injuries
Sydney Swans: Nil
North Melbourne: Petrie (foot), Adams (concussion)
Reports
Sydney Swans: Nil
North Melbourne: Daniel Pratt for abusive language to an umpire in the second quarter.
Umpires: Stevic, Nicholls, Ryan
Official Crowd: 23,856
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL.
