“I thought I was way out in space, but he’s quick,” Sheezel said.
Sheezel formed a lethal midfield combination with Luke Davies-Uniacke, who won 40 disposals and a game-high 10 clearances, while Luke Parker (31), Tasmanian product Colby McKercher (29) and George Wardlaw (25) were also prolific.
Ruckman Tristan Xerri, in his second game back from suspension, racked up 22 disposals of his own, 40 hit-outs and 17 tackles – nine more than anyone else on the ground.
There was also a nice moment in the last quarter when substitute Matt Whitlock – the player the Kangaroos drafted at No.27 last year with the pick they gained in a much-discussed swap with the Tigers – kicked his first career goal from point-blank range after the Sherrin landed in his arms from an aerial contest.
North Melbourne gave up their first-round selection this year for that Whitlock pick, while also receiving Richmond’s second-rounder in 2025.
A Tigers win would have consigned the Roos to a sixth-straight bottom-two finish, something Fitzroy’s lowly teams between 1963-68 last managed 57 years ago.
Cam Zurhaar was ruled out of the game after this incident.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Instead, North’s triumph leapfrogged Richmond into 16th spot on the ladder entering the last home-and-away round.
Whitlock entered the game in the second term after teammate Cam Zurhaar suffered a gruesome left ankle injury as his leg folded underneath him in a Tylar Young tackle across the boundary line.
Two North Melbourne trainers helped Zurhaar from the field, and he was effectively removed from the contest at that moment because he did not leave via the interchange area. Zurhaar was spotted soon after on crutches.
The Tigers then lost gun defender Nick Vlastuin to his own ankle injury shortly before half-time.
Nick Vlastuin’s day was over early.Credit: Getty Images
Vlastuin’s setback occurred in an aerial contest, where he crashed into Curtis from the opposite direction before suffering a similar hyperextension to Zurhaar, except on his right leg.
Richmond have confirmed only that the triple premiership defender’s setback is to his right ankle, but there are fears he may have suffered a fracture.
The Tigers looked up for the match in the opening quarter behind champion forward Tom Lynch’s early dominance, including two goals from four shots to the first break, but the Roos snatched the lead in the second term and moved away.
