NORTH Melbourne has been humbled by a rejuvenated Richmond side to the tune of 36 points in a costly outing at Docklands on Saturday night that could see skipper Brent Harvey sidelined for a number of weeks.

The Tigers hit the front for the third time midway through the second term and didn't look back, going on to win their first game for the year 13.16 (94) to 7.16 (58).

Not only does the result hand the Kangaroos their third loss in five rounds, but it could see Harvey and Lachie Hansen sidelined for several weeks, with both picking up game-ending injuries.

Harvey was slung to the ground by Matt White at the 12-minute mark of the first quarter and dislocated his elbow. He spent the remainder of the game on the bench in a tracksuit.

West Coast's Beau Waters suffered the same injury in round 13 last year, with complications ruling the Eagle out of playing at all this season. Western Bulldog Shaun Higgins also had the troublesome complaint in round 13, 2006, and missed the rest of that year.

Hansen strained a hamstring at the start of the fourth term and limped from the ground in obvious distress.

Earlier, defender-turned-midfielder Michael Firrito sent a scare through the Roos' camp two minutes after Harvey came off when he left the field favouring his right side.

He spent time in the rooms before returning to the field, but his impact was minimal.

To even things out, Richmond veteran Matthew Richardson pinged his own hamstring early in the second term and didn't return until the third, and then he was below his best.

Andrew Swallow was best for his side with three goals, while Hamish McIntosh dominated the ruck and Adam Simpson ran hard all night.

Debutant Levi Greenwood picked up 15 touches after starting on the bench while Aaron Edwards ended with 15 disposals, one goal in his first senior game for the year.

The Kangaroos started better with the first three goals of the game coming through David Hale, Ben Warren and Swallow, but slowed when Harvey and Firrito went down.

The Tigers capitalised by ramping up their rotations, and the result saw Chris Newman and Brett Deledio register unanswered majors. 

The difference at quarter time was six points, which was cut even further when the Tigers got the first four scoring opportunities of the second term.

A goal to Jack Riewoldt at the five-minute mark gave the Tigers a one-point lead, but Swallow stole it back soon after.

The lead changed again when Robin Nahas converted a set shot, and a missed opportunity to Ed Lower and two subsequent goals to Riewoldt shot the Tigers out to a 14-point advantage.

The Roos recovered late in the term with McIntosh adding a point and Edwards a goal, which had the half time margin at seven points.

The pace quickened in the third but it was Richmond that used the shift more effectively.

In a lopsided term, the Tigers outscored the Roos 4.5 to 1.3, with Swallow the only player in blue and white to goal.

The revelation of Hansen's injury blackened the opening stages of the fourth quarter, and from there, the Tigers cruised home with three goals to one.

North now faces Collingwood on Friday night at Docklands, while Richmond play the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Sunday.

North Melbourne    3.2 5.6 6.9 7.16 (58)
Richmond         2.2 6.7 10.12 13.16 (94)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Swallow 3, Hale, Warren, Thomas, Edwards
Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Bowden 2, Newman, Deledio, White, Moore, Collins, Tuck, Morton, Nahas

BEST
North Melbourne: Swallow, Urquhart, McIntosh, Petrie, Simpson
Richmond: Riewoldt, Jackson, McMahon, Nahas, Rance, Deledio, Tuck

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Harvey (dislocated elbow), Hansen (hamstring)
Richmond: Richardson (hamstring)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: James, Hay, Meredith

Official crowd: 29,224 at Docklands