Last year’s grand finalists Richmond proved too strong for the Northern Blues at the Swinburne Centre on Thursday afternoon.

In Northern’s third practice match of the campaign, the Blues were left to lament a poor first and third quarters.

Despite the Blues’ best at times, it wasn’t enough as the Tigers prevailed 19. 13. (127) to 11. 7. (73).

David Cuningham and Nick Graham were at the forefront of the Blues’ charge, who were playing catch-up all afternoon.

Blue sky and a packed Punt Road greeted both teams, as the Tigers dashed away to a 27-point lead on the back of two-goal first terms to Mabior Chol and Tyson Stengle.

The Blues battled hard in the second term after a slow start, as the began to get their game going forward of centre.

Josh Hill provided some spark up front with a lovely pick and assist, which was the catalyst for a five-goal term.   

It was also the time where midfielders Cuningham and Graham got going: both players finished with 25 disposals and a goal each.

The Northern Blues fell by 54 points to Richmond in their third match of the pre-season. (Photo: Ashley Perez)

Some missed opportunities for the Blues heading into the half time break meant Richmond kept a comfortable 22-point buffer, leaving Northern with a lot of work to do.

Unfortunately for Blues fans, it was the Tigers who took the game by the scruff of the neck, kicking nine of the next 12 majors.

Richmond kicked their way out to a 10-goal lead in the last quarter, as Patrick Kerr’s second goal for the game provided nothing but consolation for the Blues.

The individual highlight came in the final term, with Cuningham long-range goal from 55 metres capping off his afternoon.

First-year draftees Tom De Koning and Lochie O’Brien put together promising performances, with De Koning hauling in six marks and kicking a goal in the second term.

Carlton ruckman Andrew Phillips got through his first match in over nine months unscathed, finishing with six disposals and 28 hitouts in limited game-time.

The Northern Blues will head to North Port Oval next Saturday from 11am to take on reigning premiers, Port Melbourne.

RICHMOND VFL             6.3          10.7          16.10               19. 13. (127)
NORTHERN BLUES       2.0          7.3            9.4                    11. 7. (73)

GOALS
Northern Blues: Kerr 2, Cuningham, De Koning, Federico, Graham, Keppel, Kerr, Kerridge, Lebois, Myers

DISPOSALS
Northern Blues: Graham 26, Cuningham 23, Kerridge 23, O’Brien 17