And in Perth, speedy forward Noa McNaughton announced herself as a star of the future with a strong display in Fremantle's 11-point win over St Kilda, 7.9 (51) to 6.4 (40).
Essendon led by seven points at quarter time of Sunday's match and were still within striking distance at halftime as North Melbourne took a 29-20 lead into the long break.
But the reigning premiers flexed their muscles from there, scoring eight goals to two in the second half to win 12.13 (85) to 5.3 (33).
Riddell was prolific with 32 disposals, six clearances, 395m gained and two goal assists, while Jasmine Garner (27 disposals, two goals) and Eilish Sheerin (25 disposals, one goal) were also influential.
Randall kicked 3.2 from her six disposals, with Vikki Wall and Alice O'Loughlin chipping in with two goals apiece.
Madison Prespakis battled valiantly for Essendon on the way to 32 disposals and 463m gained, Bonnie Toogood kicked two goals from 18 possessions, while Stephanie Wales (23 hitouts, 13 disposals, four clearances) was important in the ruck.
The Bombers trailed by just three points midway through the third quarter before North piled on the last seven goals to run away with the victory.
North Melbourne (9-1) will snare the minor premiership if they win their remaining two games against Adelaide and Richmond.
Essendon (1-9) are among three one-win teams vying to avoid the wooden spoon, with the 17th-placed Bombers (55.6 per cent) sandwiched between Collingwood (56.7 per cent) and last-placed St Kilda (45.1 per cent).
Fremantle's finals hopes were hanging in the balance as the Saints surged to a two-point lead with less than nine minutes remaining at Cockburn ARC Oval.
But 19-year-old McNaughton, who kicked a remarkable checkside goal earlier in the match, turned the contest on its head with a magical few minutes.
First, McNaughton got the lead back for Fremantle by shaking a tackle and snapping truly.
Then from the next centre bounce, her surge forward resulted in a mark and easy goal to Eden Zanker.
And she killed off the contest a few minutes later when she combined with a teammate for a one-two play before dribbling the ball to Hayley Miller in the goal square.
McNaughton, a pre-season draft signing after Aine Tighe was placed on the inactive list, finished with two goals and two goal assists from 11 disposals.
Kiara Bowers (36 disposals, 11 clearances, 11 tackles, one goal, 493m gained) was huge for the Dockers, while Aisling McCarthy racked up 32 disposals and 531m gained.
Georgia Patrikios led the way for St Kilda with 25 disposals, three clearances and a goal assist.
The win lifted Fremantle (5-5) into eighth spot, but they face an uphill battle to make the finals given they finish their campaign with tough games against second-placed Geelong and seventh-placed Sydney.
