Richmond have dominated the Western Bulldogs by 67 points, giving them the best start to an AFL season in 18 years.
The Tigers’ 20.15 (135) to 10.8 (68) win on Sunday at Etihad Stadium gives them a 3-0 start, the first time they have done that since making the 1995 finals.
Captain Trent Cotchin continued his strong form with 36 possessions and fellow midfielders Dustin Martin and Brett Deledio also starred.
Jack Riewoldt kicked five goals, but did himself no favours with some undisciplined play in the first half.
Bulldogs key forward Liam Jones kicked four goals from limited chances and defenders Tom Young and Dale Morris worked hard under constant pressure.
Richmond had a dream start when Ivan Maric won the first ruck duel and tapped to Deledio, who goalled on the run with just 15 seconds on the clock.
Jones kicked two goals to give the Bulldogs the lead, but the Tigers soon were winning the ball through the midfield.
Only Richmond’s inaccuracy stopped a first-quarter blowout.
They kicked 4.9 to take a 20-point lead at quarter-time, with Deledio and Martin in charge through the midfield.
Richmond kicked the first two goals of the second term, but the Bulldogs were able to restrict the damage for the rest of the half and keep the margin to 32 points.
The Tigers had plenty of opportunities – the inside 50s were a whopping 34-14 in their favour for the first half – but they lacked system in attack.
Riewoldt gave away four free kicks to go with his one first-half goal.
But it was only a matter of time before the Tigers killed the game off, given their domination through the midfield and in defence.
After the Bulldogs kicked the first goal in the third term, Richmond kicked the next four and had a 51-point lead at the last change.
The success-starved Tigers have made the finals only twice since losing the 1982 grand final.
Their 3-0 start adds to the pre-season expectations they will return to the top eight this year.
By contrast, the rebuilding Bulldogs suffered a dirty afternoon.
Easton Wood injured his hamstring in the first quarter and Tory Dickson was helped from the field in the last term after hurting his leg.
The AFL could also fine the Bulldogs after Tom Campbell was a late addition to the side, despite not being named as one of the three emergencies.
He replaced Ayce Cordy, who has a tight back.
The Tigers also left out Jake Batchelor (ankle) for former Adelaide midfielder Chris Knights, who kicked a goal in his Richmond debut.