North Melbourne returns to the home of footy on Saturday afternoon for a battle with the Tigers.

It's expected to be another emotional weekend for the club as it farewells club great Jack Ziebell after what will be his 280th and final appearance in the royal blue and white stripes.

Here's everything you need to know for the match in this week's gameday guide.

Set your matchday reminders

Saturday, August 19
Richmond v North Melbourne at the MCG, 1.45pm AEST

North Melbourne fans will have fond memories of the last time the clubs met, with Cam Zurhaar leading his side to a breakthrough four-point win with a six-goal haul in Round 18 last season.

For the Tigers, they're all but eliminated from finals contention but will want to pick up a win in their last home game of the season as they also farewell club greats Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt, while the Roos have another opportunity to end their losing streak.

So you don't miss the game, or any others this season, make sure to sync the fixture to your calendar.

Ticketing

This week's match is a replacement game for members, so for more information on how to access your tickets head here.

Tickets for the clash at the MCG can also be purchased here.

Be a part of history

The Kangaroos recently broke their membership record with 50,348 members signing up for 2023, and it's still not too late to put pen to paper.

Joining up as a member is a great way to support not only the AFL team, but the entire football club.

Watch on TV or stream on your phone

Saturday's game will be broadcast live for Foxtel and Kayo Sports subscribers.

Stay connected on social media

For behind-the-scenes access and all the best highlights, photos, stats and stories, we’ve got you covered.
 
Follow the @NMFCOfficial accounts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with everything happening at the match and don't forget to use #Kangas.
 
Bring on the Tigers! 

North Melbourne will be looking to snap its disappointing 19-game losing streak on Saturday when it faces the Tigers in Jack Ziebell's farewell match.

Ziebell told his teammates earlier this month that the 2023 campaign would be his last in the AFL, with his banged-up body the factor that contributed most to his decision.

He and the Roos will meet Richmond at the MCG, the venue where the No.7 made his debut 15 years ago.

The opposition

While North Melbourne will be trying to send Ziebell off in style, Richmond will be hoping to do the same for premiership players Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt, who both announced their retirements during the week.

Having lost to the Saints last round, the Tigers are all but out of finals contention, with the defeat leaving them two games and significant percentage outside of the top eight.

St Kilda managed to get a hold of Richmond early in the Round 22 clash, with the latter's pressure game struggling as the Saints kicked away on the scoreboard to set up their 36-point victory.

Dustin Martin was one of Richmond's best with 26 disposals and seven inside 50s, while Tim Taranto notched 24 touches, one goal and seven tackles.

The magnets

The Kangaroos have three open spots in their starting line-up with injured pairing George Wardlaw (hamstring) and Jaidyn Stephenson (thumb) joining the freshly retired Ben Cunnington as definite outs.

Round 22's tactical substitute Charlie Lazzaro is a chance to be elevated into the starting team, while Will Phillips, Hugh Greenwood and Daniel Howe are all in the frame for recalls.

Blake Drury, Robert Hansen jnr and Phoenix Spicer all stand as potential replacements for the injured Stephenson.

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson post-game v Essendon: "We know it will be a black and yellow-dominated crowd next week. But we want our North Melbourne fans to get out there. We only play at the MCG a couple of times a year and this is another one of those chances. We're nowhere near the capacity at the minute to be able to challenge for finals but for us it's like a final next week; big crowd, big opponent, and for our guys where they are right now, they need to learn how to play in those big games."

Richmond interim coach Andrew McQualter post-game v St Kilda: "(The season has been) like riding a rollercoaster. It has been up and down, if we pinch some of the wins earlier in the year then the season's going to go really different. The reality is we've been fighting against the eight-ball trying to find our way back up the ladder and it's probably taken its toll a bit. We are where we are, the ladder position is a reflection of wins and losses and that is where we sit right now."

Last time we met

North Melbourne 14.8 (92) def Richmond 11.22 (88), Round 18, 2022 at Marvel Stadium

The Kangaroos put a stirring end to their 14-game losing streak in 2022 when they dramatically overcame the Tigers by four points under the guidance of caretaker coach Leigh Adams.

North Melbourne led at every change but when Jack Graham put the visitors ahead halfway through the final quarter, worries began to set in that the Roos would be overpowered at the death for a second week straight.

Adams' group held on though, and it was a sixth individual goal from Cam Zurhaar – the 'King of Marvel' – that saw the home side prevail in stunning fashion.

Jy Simpkin led the way in midfield with 34 disposals, eight clearances and a goal, while Paul Curtis kicked three majors of his own.

North Melbourne has fallen short in its attempt to send off club great Jack Ziebell with a final win, losing to Richmond by 29 points at the MCG.

The Tigers kicked away with three quick goals in the final quarter as they bid farewell to premiership heroes Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt, closing out the game 14.17 (101) to 10.12 (72).

TIGERS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Nick Larkey kicked six goals for the Kangaroos, who were courageous in closing the gap from 22 points at half-time to just nine points at the last change.

Rising Star contender Harry Sheezel had 37 touches, in the process breaking a 33-year-old VFL/AFL record for the most disposals in a debut season.

Ziebell delivered one last golden memory as he bid farewell after 280 AFL games, taking a classic hanger on the wing late in the first quarter.

Some late possessions to Cotchin and a signature high-flying mark for Riewoldt drew raucous applause from the Tiger fans, who gave several standing ovations throughout the day.

North Melbourne challenged Richmond early and led by 14 points 10 minutes into the second term, but the Tigers piled on seven goals to one for the remainder of the quarter, taking a 22-point lead into halftime and were never headed thereafter.

The class of Dustin Martin (31 disposals, three goals) and Shai Bolton (25 disposals, four goals) were the difference but the gallant Kangaroos refused to lie down, with Larkey kicking three third-quarter goals and just nine points separating the two sides at the final change.

But the Tigers steadied, kicking three unanswered goals in the final term to cruise to a comfortable win.

Cotchin, who had battled a calf injury to get back for his farewell game, finished with 18 disposals, while Riewoldt managed just one goal in his final game.

For the Kangaroos, former skipper Ziebell was prolific in his final match, amassing 23 disposals to go with his huge hanger.

Emerging midfielder Tarryn Thomas (25 disposals, two goals) stepped up in the absence of gun midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke, who was a late withdrawal due to a foot injury.

Thomas was classy throughout, kicking goals, setting up teammates with precision kicking and weaving his way through stoppages with ease, while young star Sheezel made plenty of his 37 disposals count.

Spearhead Larkey did his All-Australian selection chances no harm, taking his goal tally to 62 for the season.

Riewoldt finishes his career with 787 goals to his name, leaving him in 13th place on the VFL/AFL goalkicking leaderboard, just short of former teammate Matthew Richardson (800 goals).

Jumping Jack

Just as Ben Cunnington did in his own farewell game last week, Ziebell produced one last magnificent moment to cap his career highlight reel. Showing the spring heels of a player 15 years his junior, Ziebell planted his knees on his Richmond opponent Liam Baker and hauled in a classic hanger on the MCG wing. Although his kick inboard resulted in a turnover goal to the Tigers, no Roos fans watching will forget it.

Sheezel makes history

Ahead of this game, Sheezel required 19 disposals to break a 33-year-old record for most disposals in a debut season. North Melbourne's No.3 needed just a half of football to tie the record, and he broke it two minutes into the third quarter, arrowing a typically pinpoint kick inside 50 which resulted in a goal to Larkey. It only furthers Sheezel's claims to the AFL Rising Star Award, which will be announced next month.

Souv stands up

In a challenging season, Nick Larkey has been one of North Melbourne's consistent performers, and his clean finishing and physicality on Saturday again showed why the club was delighted to secure his signature on a new five-year contract earlier this season. His six goals came from limited opportunities, and he could have had a seventh if he had kicked truly from 30m out straight in front. He moves into outright third in the Coleman Medal race with 62 goals, eight behind leader Charlie Curnow. 

Late change a huge loss

Midfield bull Luke Davies-Uniacke was withdrawn just an hour before the first bounce with a foot injury, leaving a big hole in North Melbourne's midfield. Averaging 27.2 disposals and 6.7 clearances this year, Davies-Uniacke's absence around the ball was felt as Richmond dominated at stoppages. Tarryn Thomas was handy in Davies-Uniacke's absence, but with Dustin Martin in fine form, the Tigers won the clearances 35-26 and made the most of Martin and Shai Bolton's run.

Richmond              2.3   10.5   11.10   14.17 (101)
North Melbourne    3.2   6.7     10.7     10.12 (72)

GOALS
Richmond: Bolton 4, Martin 3, Balta 2, Soldo 2, Nankervis, Prestia, Riewoldt
North Melbourne: Larkey 6, Thomas 2, Curtis, Taylor

BEST 
Richmond: Martin, Bolton, Taranto, Hopper
North Melbourne: Larkey, Sheezel, Thomas, Scott

INJURIES 
Richmond:
North Melbourne: McDonald (hamstring)

LATE CHANGES
Richmond: Nil
North Melbourne: Luke Davies-Uniacke (foot) replaced in selected side by Flynn Perez 

SUBSTITUTES 
Richmond: Maurice Rioli jnr replaced Marlion Pickett at three-quarter time
North Melbourne: Blake Drury replaced Luke McDonald in the second quarter