Tigers turn tide to set up repeat Roos clash - AFL.com.au

Tigers turn tide to set up repeat Roos clash

Nathan Schmook September 4, 2015 10:24 PM

RICHMOND and North Melbourne are set to meet in an elimination final next weekend after the Tigers won a cagey final-round dress rehearsal by 41 points at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Finals forecast: Take two for Tigers, Roos?

The Kangaroos will be sweating on a late head knock to vice-captain Jack Ziebell, however, with the key midfielder leaving the ground late in the fourth quarter after a clash with Anthony Miles.

Ziebell was able to walk off the ground, but teammate Kayne Turner had to be taken from the Etihad Stadium turf on a stretcher minutes later after being knocked out in a marking contest with four minutes remaining.

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The late setbacks came with Richmond six goals clear and the sting clearly out of the match, which ended 16.12 (108) to 10.7 (67) after the Tigers booted nine goals to four in the final quarter. 

That last term – the Tigers' best against North Melbourne since 1995 and their best for the season – provided some momentum for Damien Hardwick's team going into the finals after three stuttering quarters that would have had the Richmond faithful worried.

Five talking points: Richmond v North Melbourne

Trailing by four points early in the third quarter against a severely understrength North Melbourne, the Tigers needed a spark, and Brett Deledio came to the rescue.

The dashing Tiger was best on ground with 26 possessions, nine inside50s and a game-high four score involvements, with captain Trent Cotchin (30 possessions and six inside 50s) also strong.

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Tigers turn tide to set up repeat Roos clash - AFL.com.au