Richmond have hung on for a thrilling five-point upset of the Sydney Swans at the MCG to give Adem Yze his maiden win as Tigers coach.
After opening the Yze era with three defeats, the Tigers rallied on Sunday by ramping up their pressure to outwork the previously undefeated Swans.
Richmond found themselves 15 points down early in the third quarter, but unleashed a five-goal run to set up the 11.16 (82) to 11.11 (77) victory in front of 45,122 fans.
The Swans slammed through the first two goals of the final term, but Richmond - who were without Dustin Martin - absorbed the pressure to record their first win since round 23 last year.
"Our last three weeks, the effort that our players have put in without getting a reward ... we've had a lot of things going on," Yze said.
"In the third quarter, it was our highest-rating pressure quarter for the year, and in the last quarter would have went through the roof.
"That's a standard that we want to be able to bring every week around that type of game."
Reigning Jack Dyer medallist Tim Taranto (35 possessions, one goal) was outstanding in the midfield, and the Tigers' forward line functioned better than it has all year.
Star forward Tom Lynch showed what the Tigers were missing last season, kicking three important goals and providing a genuine inside-50 target.
After playing just four games last year due to injury, Lynch gave Richmond supporters a scare late in the match when he went to the rooms with a knock to his knee. He will be assessed this week.
After three impressive wins to open their season, premiership contenders Sydney were their own worst enemy with some diabolical decision-making.
"That's probably taking a fair bit away from Richmond," Swans coach John Longmire said when asked if it was an uncharacteristic performance by his team.
"Let's dip our hats to them, first and foremost ... they played really well.
"We fumbled a bit and then gave them looks, and once you do that, they were able to get the ball forward."
The Swans' best were Isaac Heeney and Nick Blakey, while Logan McDonald kicked an equal game-high three goals.
Veteran Sydney defender Dane Rampe was subbed out at halftime with what the Swans described as hamstring tightness.
Richmond hard nut Liam Baker faces an anxious wait after collecting Swans defender Lewis Melican with a high bump in the second quarter.
Working in Baker’s favour is Melican got up and played out the rest of the match without needing a concussion test.
The Swans should be able to rebound in Gather Round when they face hapless West Coast at Mt Barker, with recruit Taylor Adams a chance to play his first game for Sydney after playing a half in the VFL on Sunday.
Richmond, who should regain Martin (calf), will try to make it back-to-back wins when they take on St Kilda at Norwood Oval.
