Richmond led by just two points at quarter-time against the Northern Bullants on Sunday afternoon at Preston City Oval, but was electric with an eight-goal final term to run out winners.
The Tigers were unshackled with ball in hand, the final scoreboard reading, 21.10 (136) to 7.12 (54).
Samson Ryan was imperious in the air, finishing with career-high five goals in the 82-point win.
Richmond was challenged by the unorthodox nature in which the Bullants wanted to move the ball, but worked through it and took the game on.
The defining act of Richmond’s ballistic last quarter was Thomson Dow’s near “Leigh Matthews” moment, wrapping himself around the right goalpost and soccering through a goal that was unflinchingly courageous.
Ryan was supported by a tall fellow, Jacob Bauer, who was indefatigable and rewarded with four majors.
Steve Morris implored his young brood to play with flair, and a man who epitomizes that, Sydney Stack, nailed Richmond’s opening goal of the game.
Stack displayed ferocity at the ball and man from the first bounce, helping light the fire after a sedation start by the Tigers.
The Northern Bullants captured an early lead, but Richmond found its groove in transition as Hugo Ralphsmith gathered the ball at center half-forward and chipped the ball to Stack, who coasted, steadied and goaled.
The Tigers slammed on two more goals in quick succession, skipping to a nine-point lead.
Sam Banks has shown a proclivity for being penetrating by foot from beyond the arc, and the rangy wingman displayed that once again with a set-shot goal from the paint of 50.
Samson Ryan was a welcome return after his stint on the sidelines with concussion. The budding ruckman flicked a handball over his head at half-forward which set Thomson Dow on a path to goal, the agile midfielder driving the ball deep to the advantage of Jacob Bauer.
Bauer popped through his first goal from close range and Richmond had a handy buffer.
The Bullants hit back in the first time, cutting the margin to three points before Ryan was involved in another Richmond score, this time kicking his first goal.
Ryan was set-up superbly by Riley Collier-Dawkins, who showcased all the traits that make him a damaging and commanding prospect.
The Tigers upped the ante in the second term, starting with a Ralphsmith goal-saving play that translated into his side’s opening goal of the quarter.
Lachlan Street produced another fine captain’s goal, bursting clear of congesting in the forward 50, swinging onto his left and snapping truly.
Ralphsmith had a direct hand in another, staying strong in the contest which led to Jake Aarts picking out Bauer inside 50, who truly kicked.
The home side pegged one back before Collier-Dawkins burnt a path clear of the center bounce, pumped the ball inside 50 where Stack was rewarded with a free-kick and converted.
Richmond extended its half-time lead to a more comfortable 20 points before it turned up the heat in the second half.
The Tigers’ transition from their back-half and off turnover between the arcs was the main driver behind their opportunities up forward, as Ryan, Bauer, Ivan Soldo and Mate Colina provided significant headaches for the Bullants’ undersized defenders.
The Richmond keys kicked 11 goals between them and were given plenty of one-on-one opportunities as the Tigers went long and direct by foot.
A five-goal-to-one third quarter set the platform for the Tigers’ final term assault, as they continually won or halved critical contests in the air or on the ground.
NTH’B 3.4 4.7 5.10 7.12 (54)
RICH 4.0 8.3 13.7 21.10 (136)
Goal Kickers:
Richmond: Ryan (5), Bauer (4), Stack (3), Soldo (2), Aarts, Banks, Dow, Henderson, Hicks, Ralphsmith, Street