North Melbourne has answered a fierce challenge to its finals credentials and probably hammered the final nail in Richmond's coffin with a rollicking come-from-behind 28-point triumph at Etihad Stadium.

Trailing by 35 points at half-time, the Roos piled on eight goals in an exhilarating third quarter to set up a 17.14 (116) to 13.10 (88) victory.

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The storming win saw North finally shrug off its inconsistent form by winning consecutive matches for the first time since round four.

It keeps the Roos within a game of the top four at 7-4, while the Tigers have surely seen their season slip away at 3-8.

Veteran Brent Harvey again showed he is still arguably the Roos' most important player after 373 games with three goals and 25 possessions.

Harvey's second major to start the third term sparked the avalanche of goals to the Lockett End.

He had strong support from Levi Greenwood, Andrew Swallow and ruckman Todd Goldstein in midfield.

Robin Nahas, delisted by the Tigers at the end of last year, booted two goals and was instrumental in firing up the 32,977-strong crowd against his former club.

Key forward Drew Petrie returned to form with four goals – three in the third quarter – and took some strong contested marks.

However, it looked as though the Roos' rollercoaster campaign would continue in the first half.

North was shell-shocked as Richmond came out breathing fire following a brutal review of its appalling loss to Essendon.

Even before the first bounce, assistant coach Mark Williams reportedly jumper-punched Ben Griffiths on the interchange bench in a sign Richmond had come to play.

Ty Vickery then marked his return by wrestling Michael Firrito to the ground and forcing the Roos veteran to seek attention for a cut under his eye.

The incidents set the tone with flare-ups erupting throughout the match.

The Tigers grabbed the initiative early, playing the bold and confident brand of football that lifted them to fifth last season.

Richmond kicked three of the first four goals, although North steadied to only trail by a point at the first change.

But Richmond's seven-goal to one second term got the Tiger Army roaring, with Dustin Martin booting three majors in an irresistible display.

Martin finished with four majors – all in the first half – and 28 touches to be Richmond's best, although he was well held after the main break.

The Tigers simply could not get their hands on the football after half-time.

It took until Jack Riewoldt's rolling snap for a behind at the 23-minute mark of the third term to answer North's eight consecutive goals.

Defender Matt Dea drilled the Tigers' 11th goal soon after, but it only temporarily stopped the Roos' march.

Riewoldt kicked three goals in the losing cause, while Bachar Houli gathered 30 touches.

Although North will be buoyed by the win, questions remain about Majak Daw's position after he was substituted out of the game at half-time with minimal impact.