North Melbourne has flexed its considerable midfield muscle, thumping a Mon Conti-less Richmond by 35 points at the Swinburne Centre.

At half-time, it looked like the Kangaroos were going to waltz away with a record victory, and aside from a third-quarter Tiger burst, it was a game dominated by the royal blue and white. 

Driven by Ash Riddell (25 disposals), Jas Garner (22 and five clearances) and Ellie Gavalas (19) out of the middle, Kaitlyn Ashmore (19) on the wing and some strong Emma King ruck work, North Melbourne dictated play around the ground while the Tigers' engine room struggled without star Conti (a late withdrawal with a hamstring complaint).

Richmond had first use of the gusty wind to the Punt Road end, but struggled to make any headway, scoring just one point.

By comparison, North Melbourne's deep entries – created by clever switches of play – the forwards feasted, with Daisy Bateman, Garner and Bella Eddey all hitting the scoreboard.

The Kangaroos flicked the switch in the second quarter and King dominated with two goals against the under-sized Gabby Seymour.

The Tigers finally got on the scoreboard in the third quarter, with late inclusion Christina Bernardi coming to life, converting a goal and setting up Tayla Stahl for the team's second a few minutes later.

After a scoreless third term, 28-year-old debutant Georgia Hammond settled North Melbourne's nerves at the start of the fourth term, extending the margin to 27 points, before the Roos kicked away in their quest to lock up a top-six position.

Coach's reaction
"They jumped us. They taught us a lesson. If you're a fraction off against the good teams – that was probably the first time we'd seen that with our group, we've brought the heat in every game. There's always been things we can do better, but that was the first time our energy was low, and they were brilliant." – Richmond coach Ryan Ferguson.

RICHMOND                    0.1     0.2     3.2     5.2    (32)
NORTH MELBOURNE     3.2     6.5     6.5     10.7     (67)

GOALS

Richmond: Bernardi 2, Stahl, Wakefield, Brennan
North Melbourne: King 2, Bateman 2, Garner, Eddey, Abbatangelo, Hammond, Bannister, Kearney

BEST

Richmond: McKenzie, Cordner, Hosking, Brennan, Bernardi
North Melbourne: Riddell, Garner, Ashmore, Gavalas, King, Randall

INJURIES

Richmond: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil

LATE CHANGES

Richmond: Conti (hamstring), replaced in selected side by Bernardi
North Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 803 at the Swinburne Centre