VIDEOS: Brad Scott press conference | Match highlights | Join in the Chorus | Matt Campbell super sub | Drew Petrie pressure act | Kieran Harper running magic | Post-match interviews | Lindsay Thomas smother | Petrie's seven | Coast to coast

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NORTH Melbourne hero Drew Petrie has deflected credit for his team's nail-biting four-point win over Richmond on Sunday to his teammates.

The modest tall forward booted seven goals, including five in a match-winning final quarter.

"I didn't contribute that much in the first three quarters of the game, and the rest of the boys kept us in it," Petrie said post-game.

"The delivery was great in the last quarter."

The Kangaroos' vice-captain had an absorbing duel with Tigers defender Alex Rance.

Petrie admitted his opponent had the better of him for much of the day.

"I was a bit reactive in the first three quarters, and Alex Rance was doing a really good job, and Chris Newman and Jayden Post were getting back into my space," he said.

"So they played it pretty well in the first three quarters.

"In the last quarter I knew I just had to move around a little bit more."

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott also praised Rance's performance, but said Petrie hadn't been helped early in the game by poor kicking from up field.

"Rance has developed into a really good player, and I thought he did a terrific job," Scott said.

"But Drew is a terrific player, and he's very hard to keep down for a long period of time.

"Our delivery certainly didn't help any of our forwards in the first three quarters.

"We had an enormous amount of opportunity going forward, and we didn't capitalise on that.

"So while our forwards weren't getting on top, they weren't getting great service either.

"I think not only did Drew pick up, but our delivery inside 50 helped as well."

Petrie entered the match under an injury cloud after being subbed out of last week's win over Carlton with tightness in the adductor.

But the 29-year-old said he had no tear and only a "tiny bit of aggravation" in the muscle, and "felt great all week".

Petrie has now booted a deadly accurate 14.1 in his past two matches.

North Melbourne has won four of its past five games and is in the top eight.

The experienced big man highlighted the contributions of younger types such as Kieran Harper and Shaun Atley in the winning run.
 
"Our young players showed great maturity," Petrie said.

"They're becoming more consistent, and that's why we've been able to win."