For Richmond it was all about raw energy, raw talent and, for their fans, raw nerves in a 29-point victory over AFL high-flyers Sydney at the MCG on Saturday.
The Tigers steamrolled the Swans in the first half, then hung on for dear life under a third-quarter assault from the visitors to eventually win 13.13 (91) to 8.14 (62).
Leading by just 14 points at the final change after being up by as many as 40 in the second quarter, Richmond steadied with two goals each to Jack Riewoldt and Shaun Grigg in the final term.
Riewoldt finished with four for the match and Grigg three as the Tigers finally overcame a run of narrow losses to top eight teams.
It was Richmond’s second successive win after beating struggling Port Adelaide the previous weekend and their third victory for the season.
Richmond spent the first half denying Sydney the football.
They won every key statistic and a glut of possession as on-ballers Nathan Foley and Trent Cotchin dominated the clearances and ruckman Ivan Maric the hitouts.
The Tigers kept the Swans goalless in the first term and booted five themselves to take a 34-point lead to the opening break.
They led by 40 midway through the second term, before midfielder Josh Kennedy kicked a late goal to help the Swans trail by 32 at halftime.
But the Swans clawed back into the match in the third term, with Kennedy and fellow midfielder Jude Bolton superb – Bolton having 12 touches for the quarter.
Fittingly, Kennedy goaled on the three-quarter-time siren to reduce the deficit to 14 points, give the Swans momentum and long-suffering Tigers’ fans heart palpitations.
Nerves threatened to fray amid memories of not being able to close out matches against Geelong and West Coast but Richmond finally found fourth-quarter stability.
Grigg and Riewoldt found the big sticks twice each in the term, while Tigers defender Dylan Grimes was outstanding in repelling Sydney’s forwards and providing much-needed rebound from the backline.
The defeat was the second in a row for Sydney, who now have a 5-2 win-loss record.
