Luke Delaney, of the Kangaroos, marks over the Tigers' Matthew McDonough. Picture: GETTY IMAGES
The good news continues to flow for North Melbourne, with the Kangaroos posting wins over Melbourne and Richmond to open their AFL pre-season.
The Roos, who announced new contracts for coach Brad Scott and star players Daniel Wells and Jack Ziebell in recent days, started last night with a 1.4.5 (38) to 0.5.6 (36) win over Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
They ended it with a comeback 0.7.6 (48) to 0.6.8 (44) over the Tigers, after trailing until within the final minute of the game.
In between, Richmond comfortably downed the Demons 1.2.9 (30) to 0.2.3 (15), Melbourne's winless night ending a week in which it was fined $500,000 for the moves it made to secure a priority draft pick late in the 2009 season.
North fans also got to see exciting signs from the AFL's first Sudanese-born player, athletic ruckman Majak Daw, which included an impressive sidestep and running goal against the Tigers.
Richmond had controlled the early stages of its match, at one point pushing 13 points clear and despite the Kangaroos hitting back with three quick goals to take the half-time lead, Richmond again pushed clear early in the second half.
But, as was the story for the Tigers too often in last year's regular season, they gave up the lead late in the match.
With the Kangaroos within a point, Wells broke clear from a pack at half- forward and centred the ball to Aaron Black, who kicked his second goal of the match to give North the lead and the win.