Having consigned their Fremantle debacle to history, North Melbourne are putting themselves back on track to break their AFL finals drought.

Cooper Trembath was the difference on Sunday, kicking four goals as the Kangaroos beat Richmond by 25 points in a scrappy, ugly clash at the MCG.

Beating the Tigers 10.13 (73) to 6.12 (48) gave North back-to-back wins after the Dockers tore them apart by 124 points.

North last made the finals in 2016, finishing eighth. They are 10th in the first season of the top-10 wildcard format.

"We were pretty happy to put that in the rear-vision mirror, five minutes after that game," coach Alastair Clarkson said of the Fremantle loss.

"It (Sunday) was a tough slog and neither side set the world on fire ... but we're really pleased.

"This club hasn't been 7-7 ... for well over a decade, I don't think.

"To still be in the season, and grind out wins like we did today ... we were pleased we were able to restrict their danger in the last part of the game."

Noah Balta kicked successive goals in the last term to give Richmond a sniff, but North were able to close out the game after also having troubles in the final quarter last week against West Coast.

Harry Sheezel had 31 possessions to lead the Kangaroos midfield and James Trezise was solid for the Tigers.

Despite sunny conditions and little breeze, the start of the game seemed to take inspiration from the soccer World Cup.

There was no score until nearly 10 minutes in, when the Tigers pounced on a defensive turnover and Sam Banks kicked a goal on the run.

It was one-all at the first break after George Wardlaw responded.

Richmond coach Adem Yze was left lamenting North being able to take 46 uncontested marks in the first quarter, which set the tone for the game.

"We used all our energy on defence and then our execution on offence, it was affected by it ... death by a thousand cuts," Yze said, adding it was one of the most frustrating games he has coached.

"I felt so sorry for our forwards."

Playing his first game since round two, Richmond captain Toby Nankervis was up against Trembath in the ruck at the centre ball-ups.

Trembath would then immediately go forward and Tristan Xerri or Taylor Goad would do the ruck work around the ground.

"It's always good to have him back," Yze said of his captain.