Sheezel equals possession record in Kangaroos rout

Ethan James | August 17, 2025

Young gun Harry Sheezel has credited his teammates and the ball “falling in his lap” after equalling the all-time AFL disposal record in North Melbourne’s 48-point victory over Richmond.

The 20-year-old picked up 54 touches on Sunday afternoon in Hobart, on par with Tom Mitchell’s effort for Hawthorn against Collingwood in 2018.

Sheezel, who also finished with two goals, surpassed the Kangaroos’ club record of 44 possessions – jointly held by Brent Harvey, Phil Kelly and Ryan Bastinac – in the fourth quarter.

He had a chance in the dying stages to have the league record to his own after a centre bounce but couldn’t get his hands on the ball, before North ran out winners by 20.15 (135) to 13.9 (87).

Sheezel reached 28 disposals and five clearances in the first half and went on with the job in the second to become the first 50-plus disposal player since Lachie Neale in 2019.

“That’s crazy. I’m not (just) saying it, but it just came to me because of the work of my teammates,” Sheezel told FoxFooty. 

“The ball just fell in my lap. It was just one of those days where it clicked.” 

North coach Alastair Clarkson said Sheezel’s exploits were part of a group effort as the Kangaroos finished with 431 disposals to Richmond’s 297.

“When so many of our players are doing well in the middle of the field they can share the ball around,” he said.

“We had more handballs than kicks. That’s not always a great sign but it demonstrates we were prepared to win the ball on the inside and feed it to the outside.”

The Kangaroos led by eight points at the main break but pulled away with an eight-goal third term.

North’s fifth win of the year came at a cost, with star Cameron Zurhaar awaiting scans after limping off with an ankle problem early in the second quarter. 

The Tigers had their own problems, with key defender Nick Vlastuin also hobbling off with a likely fractured ankle after falling awkwardly in a heavy collision.

“He went back with the fly and that’s why he’s such a good player – the courage to go back” Richmond coach Adem Yze said. 

“He’s had a great season and unfortunately he’s going to miss next week and can’t finish off the season with the boys.” 

North youngster Paul Curtis notched a career-high five goals, featuring several snaps from tight angles, and a one-handed grab.

Remarkably, 11 of the top 12 possession-getters for the game wore blue and white.

Before a crowd of 11,176, the match was North Melbourne’s final home game in Hobart at the end of a 13-year deal to play in Tasmania. 

Tom Lynch started strongly for Richmond, kicking his team’s first two majors and getting the better of Kangaroos’ defender Toby Pink for both.

The Tigers took a 29-16 lead into the second quarter and salvaged some late pride in a final term which finished six goals-a-piece.

“That third quarter wasn’t good enough. We were in the fight up until halftime,” Yze said.

“The dam wall opened. It was just not good enough and our boys know that.”

MOST POSSESSIONS IN A VFL/AFL GAME 

* 54 – Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn v Collingwood, 2018), Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne v Richmond, 2025).

* 53 – Greg Williams (Sydney v St Kilda, 1989), Gary Ablett Jnr (Gold Coast v Collingwood, 2012)

* 52 – Barry Price, (Collingwood v Fitzroy, 1971)