As North Melbourne prepares to face Richmond on Saturday, NMFC.com.au takes you back to the last time the two sides met in 2012.

Both sides were battling for their first finals appearance in a number of years. The Kangaroos were in good form, having won four of their last five, while the Tigers were coming off a heartbreaking two-point loss to Gold Coast at Cazaly's Stadium.

A crowd of 47,432 at the MCG was treated to a tight contest from start to finish as neither side could make the most of its time holding the momentum. The largest lead at any break was just 12 points to North at half-time.

In a battle of the midfields, Ryan Bastinac was superb throughout the afternoon. His tally of 11 inside 50's was, and still is, a career high. While the number three was pumping the ball forward, Andrew Swallow was inside the packs with 17 contested possessions.

On the other side, Brett Deledio and Shane Tuck were among the Tigers' best, and it was Tuck that shone in an exhilarating last quarter.

Heading into the final term, North trailed by seven points and seemed to be fading after conceding five goals to two in the premiership quarter. However it was Drew Petrie who stood up with one of his best performances in recent memory.

Terrorising Alex Rance and the entire Richmond defence, Petrie kicked five goals for the quarter and ended with seven for the game. However there was one more twist in the tale - a 17-point North lead with four minutes to go suddenly dwindled to just five, setting up a grandstand finish.

PRESS PLAY above to watch the thrilling ending | YouTube

Richmond 2.3.15, 5.9.39, 10.12.72, 14.15.99
North Melbourne 3.5.23, 7.9.51, 9.11.65, 15.13.103

Goals
Richmond: Nahas 3, Riewoldt 3, Edwards 2, Martin 2, Tuck 2, Cotchin 1, Houli 1
North Melbourne: Petrie 7, Anthony 2, Harper 2, Campbell 1, Hansen 1, Harvey 1, Macmillan 1

Brownlow Medal
3 - Drew Petrie (NM), 2 - Liam Anthony (NM), 1 - Trent Cotchin (Rich)