<p>Sunday footy kicks off in the Apple Isle, with North Melbourne hosting Richmond at their home away from home.</p> <p>And this just might be the Kangaroos’ most important game in the past five years.</p> <p>While they’re already locked in for a bottom-four finish for the sixth season in a row, a loss here could undo any sense of progress they've made this year.</p> <p>They were comfortably beaten by the Giants last week in another uncompetitive performance — their seventh straight loss in a rough second half of the season. One silver lining from the trip to Canberra was the debut of mid-season recruit Cooper Trembath, who showed plenty of promise with three goals.</p> <p>As for the Tigers, they came agonisingly close to grabbing their seventh win last week against the Saints. If not for Kamdyn McIntosh running too far in the final minute, they would’ve had a shot on goal. Instead, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and the Saints took full advantage of the turnover in what was, let’s be honest, a pretty flat game overall.</p> <p>But Richmond gets another crack now — and this time against a Roos side that should be better than what they’re producing. This game presents a real opportunity for the Tigers to jump ahead in their development and keep ticking boxes in what’s been a pretty encouraging year.</p> <p>A win would be another big positive. A loss for North, though, would be hard to explain away — and would once again raise some serious questions about where the club is heading.</p> <p>At selection, North Melbourne should regain a couple of key players. Paul Curtis is back after serving his suspension, and — pending a fitness test — skipper Jy Simpkin is also in the mix to return from a knee injury.</p> <p>Riley Hardeman will miss after suffering a concussion against the Giants. Meanwhile, untried ruckman Taylor Goad continues to push for a senior debut following another strong performance in the VFL.</p> <p>Richmond’s AFL side only has two games left this season, but their VFL team is finals-bound, so they’re still holding out hope for a few players who might’ve otherwise been shut down for the year.</p> <p>Unfortunately, one who has been ruled out is Tom Sims, who’s done for the season after a nasty elbow injury.</p> <p>For the latest team updates, expert analysis, betting odds, and tips — check out our full Roos vs Tigers preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Richmond Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>North Melbourne Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Griffin Logue, Toby Pink, Aidan Corr</p> <p>HB: Caleb Daniel, Charlie Comben, Finn O’Sullivan</p> <p>C: Dylan Stephens, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Colby McKercher</p> <p>HF: Paul Curtis, Jack Darling, Tom Powell</p> <p>F: Zane Duursma, Cooper Trembath, Cam Zurhaar</p> <p>Foll: Tristan Xerri, Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw</p> <p>Int: Geordie Payne, Cooper Harvey, Jy Simpkin, Brynn Teakle, Bailey Scott</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Richmond Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Nathan Broad, Ben Miller, Nick Vlastuin</p> <p>HB: Sam Banks, Tylar Young, Jayden Short</p> <p>C: James Trezise, Dion Prestia, Kamdyn McIntosh</p> <p>HF: Maurice Rioli Jr, Seth Campbell, Jack Ross</p> <p>F: Rhyan Mansell, Tom Lynch, Noah Balta</p> <p>Foll: Toby Nankervis, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper</p> <p>Int: Harry Armstrong, Taj Hotton, Tom Brown, Tyler Sonsie, Steely Green</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Richmond Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Roos have a positive recent record against the Tigers, having won the past two matches and three of the past five head-to-head.</p> <p>It’s because of that, the Roos start as favourites here. However, their recent form and ongoing defensive struggles — conceding over 100 points in 11 games this season — make them hard to fully trust.</p> <p>For the Tigers, the key to victory is keeping the Roos to under 80 points. That’s been the magic number: when the Tigers hold their opponents below that mark, they tend to win.</p> <p>We’re going for the upset here. Tiger time!</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-richmond-9480908">Tigers</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>He might have left his run too late to be in consideration for the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-rising-star">Rising Star</a> award this year, but young forward Harry Armstrong has emerged as a key piece and star of the Tigers' forward line of tomorrow.</p> <p>Goals in all but one game in his debut year, he plays with a presence that will only get bigger as he grows. We’re backing him for the first goal here.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-richmond-9480908">Harry Armstrong</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>As the Roos have nosedived as a team, one youngster has taken big strides with his form.</p> <p>Colby McKercher has been prolific in the last five games, averaging 29.2 touches per game.&nbsp;</p> <p>He was one disposal off a career best two weeks ago, we’re backing him to get close again here back in his home state.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-richmond-9480908">Colby McKercher 30+ disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Richmond Tigers Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Sunday, August 17th, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 1:10 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Ninja Stadium, Hobart</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>