Richmond will take a streak of winning form into their round-one blockbuster against Carlton after finishing strongly in the rain to beat the Western Bulldogs by nine points in their AFL practice match at Visy Park on Saturday.

The Bulldogs led by 18 points midway through the third quarter, only for the Tigers to pull within a single point at the final change following late goals to Luke McGuane (two) and Matt White.

Richmond carried that momentum into the final term, kicking four goals to two to win 14.8 (92) to 12.11 (83) on what was a rare recent wet day in Melbourne.

Having lost six games by two goals or less in the home-and-away season last year, the improving Tigers are developing the happy knack of winning the close ones, with Saturday’s victory coming on the back of similar results in the NAB Cup against Essendon and Hawthorn.

“It was a contested game today, just a real scrap and it’s the sort of thing you want going into round one,” said Richmond coach Damien Hardwick.

“It was a good result and we’re really pleased with what we got out of it.

“It was hard, it was tough and we managed to get over the line.”

Ruckman Ivan Maric capped a good all-round display with a game-high three goals, while midfielders Brett Deledio and Shane Tuck were also among the Tigers’ better players.

The Bulldogs were best served by experienced hands Robert Murphy and Ryan Griffen.

Bulldogs defender Dale Morris continued his impressive comeback after more than a year out with a badly broken leg, having the better of his match-up with Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt.

But it was Riewoldt who iced the win for the Tigers, kicking his second goal of the match in the dying minutes.

Other positives for the Bulldogs included Nick Lower’s lock-down job on Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin and another encouraging display from 2008 Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney, who struggled throughout last year with a degenerative knee complaint.

Both Hardwick and Bulldogs assistant coach Brett Montgomery had some concerns with the shifting, sandy surface at Visy Park although neither club suffered any new injuries.

With highly rated defender Dylan Grimes and utility Brad Helbig to be eased back through the VFL on Sunday, the Tigers will have a near full-strength squad to choose from for their clash with Carlton on March 28.

The Bulldogs also have few injury worries ahead of their round-one game against pre-season premiers Brisbane.

Clever forward Shaun Higgins will have a hit-out in the VFL next week.