Reigning premiers Geelong needed all their legendary determination to hold off a fierce challenge from Richmond in Sunday’s AFL match at Simonds Stadium.

The problems started even before the first bounce for the club when the stadium suffered a power blackout, but Geelong held on in the last quarter to win 11.9 (75) to 9.11 (65).

On a day when the Cats unfurled last year’s premiership flag and honoured retired greats Cameron Ling, Brad Ottens, Cameron Mooney and Darren Milburn with a pre-game motorcade, there were plenty of indications that this season will be much tougher.

They again lost the contested possession count, while Trent West was also reported for rough conduct.

Given he rucked for nearly the entire match, the Cats will sweat over Monday’s match review panel findings.

“Stressful day for you blokes as well, was it?,” Cats coach Chris Scott said as he walked into the post-match media conference.

Scott admitted there was a sense of relief that they had won their second match.

“It would have been really difficult for us to be 1-3, but we still are working into our best footy and building towards something,” he said

“The players and all of us involved understand we’ve got to get there a bit quicker.”

Richmond drew level with the opening two goals of the final term and Scott acknowledged senior players Joel Selwood, Joel Corey, Jimmy Bartel and Paul Chapman were crucial as the Cats steadied.

The Tigers shot themselves in the foot when they had the wind in the second term, kicking 0.5.

Geelong now have an eight-game winning streak against Richmond.

But they are yet to win the contested possession in a game this season.

“The numbers don’t lie – we need to really get to the bottom of what it is,” Scott said.

Their unusual home ground conditions this season, caused by the demolition of the Doug Wade stand at the southern end, also might not help the Cats.

Richmond matched the Cats throughout as a strong north-westerly contributed to the scrappy play.

“As we get into winter the conditions are going to be harder, once you add a big southerly and some rain and cold weather,” Scott said.

“I’d love to say it’s going to be to our advantage, but I’m not sure.”

Scott was seen on television throwing up his arms in disbelief in the final term when Allen Christensen suffered a knock to the head, but was not awarded a free kick.

A few minutes later, Christensen snapped a crucial goal.

“As I’ve said a number of times, I’m a fan in the box at that stage,” Scott said.

“So hands go up in the air.

“The umpires must have been obscured and it happens all the time, more than I think the punters at home realise.”

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick dismissed any talk that this was an honourable loss for his team, saying they were now better than that.

“We have to win ball games and that’s it in a nutshell,” he said.

Selwood and defender Harry Taylor were best for Geelong, while Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley and Shaun Grigg starred for the Tigers.