For the first time since the bye, North Melbourne has suffered back-to-back losses.

After putting itself in a position to ice the game early, a strong first half performance proved insufficient to defeat a top-eight contending Richmond, with the Tigers’ second half pressure proving the difference.

There are, however, positives to be taken from defeat, with aspects of the first half once again offering an insight into how good this young North side could be.

Luke Davies-Uniacke took on the role of chief destroyer in midfield, while the likes of Curtis Taylor and Jack Mahony played arguably the best halves of football in their North careers.

With the clash acting as North’s first game at the MCG in over 800 days, David Noble says the experience of playing at the home of football was a huge positive from the game.

“The ‘G is a great spot to play, it’s certainly a good place to test yourself … we talked to the group after the game. It’s a great experience for us to play [there],” Noble said.

“We wanted to have a look at our style and see how it set up against the ground as well as a pretty tough, hardened opponent that plays the ground really well.

“There were some elements out of that that’ll be a tick, and there’ll be some elements we’ll pull out of the second half particularly that’ll be a dash.

“[They’re] the areas we’ll work on in the final weeks pushing hard towards the end of the season.”

Despite the defeat, there can be no taking away from the performance of North’s midfield, with the likes of Davies-Uniacke, Jy Simpkin and Jed Anderson nothing short of exceptional.

Without spiritual leader Ben Cunnington, Davies-Uniacke led the way with a career-high 38 disposals, while Simpkin had 34 touches.

“It’s probably the North Melbourne secret herbs and spices. I put it down to a lot of work our players do in their preparation,” he said.

“The two mid coaches, Jordan Russell and Anthony Rocca, have done a terrific job in prepping our guys to go to work each week on the opposition.

“We’ve got really good familiarity with the systems they’re running, and it’s a pleasing thing for our fans to see our young mids continue to improve and control the game in portions.”

Even with all the positives to come out of the game, the inescapable fact is that North was on the wrong side of a 53-point turnaround, with Richmond eventually emerging victorious to the tune of 33 points.

The Tigers’ increased pressure in the second half proved to be the difference, with the home side forcing crucial turnovers in critical parts of the game.

Even in defeat though, Noble says he’s happy with the standard of effort his players brought to what was a tough contest.

“Some of our turnovers were as a direct result of some terrific pressure from the ‘Tiges’. They probably escalated it up to another level and we probably weren’t able to match it for the four quarters and they took their chances,” he added.

“We had good control in the first half and then in the second half we weren’t able to be as clean as the ball due to their great pressure.

“Our ability to wrestle the game at times and get into some real arm wrestles and fight around where the game looks … the players are understanding, and our training standard has been exceptional in the last probably eight weeks.

“I think our effort when we come to the game is a tick. There’s an expectation now that you need to come and deliver a standard, the players certainly understand what that standard is.”