Kangaroos bounce out Tigers in MCG thriller
September 13, 2015 5:53 PM
NORTH Melbourne has won a classic elimination final against Richmond at the MCG by 17 points, sending the Tigers crashing out of September at the first hurdle for the third straight season.
In a high stakes final that neither club could afford to lose, it was the Kangaroos who held on under fierce pressure in a nail-biting final term to progress to a semi-final against the Sydney Swans next Saturday night.
The final score was 15.15 (105) to 14.4 (88), with the Tigers yet to taste finals success since 2001 and coach Damien Hardwick now carrying a 0-3 record in September.
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Richmond was brave, and led by two points early in the final term, but ultimately ran out of legs against a team that strategically rested 10 players in round 23.
The Kangaroos were also ferocious at the contested ball (149-115), getting on top where finals are ultimately won.
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North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas was both hero and villain in front of the crowd of 90,186, snapping the goal that gave North Melbourne breathing space in the final term.
His place in the team to face the Swans is not guaranteed, however, after he kicked Tigers defender Dylan Grimes in the chest minutes after being substituted into the game late in the third quarter.
Recruit Jarrad Waite, who was brought in from Carlton in the off-season to put the finishing touches on a list aiming to strike now, repaid the Kangaroos' faith, kicking four goals, including the sealer.
Player ratings: North Melbourne
Reborn tagger Ben Jacobs was also instrumental, keeping Richmond captain Trent Cotchin to just nine possessions – his equal lowest-ever tally – in an emphatic shutdown job that gave his team a decisive clearance advantage (42-35).
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Kangaroos bounce out Tigers in MCG thriller - AFL.com.au
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