Richmond has won a thriller at the MCG against Essendon, by 18 points, to claim its sixth win in-a-row.
The Tigers started slowly, falling behind by 12 points at the first break, but arrested control of the game in the second term with six goals to go into the main break with the momentum.
Essendon hit back early in the third term and took back the lead, but the Tigers again flipped the tables against the tide and held onto a slim lead for the rest of the game.
Ivan Maric proved pivotal in the final moments of the game with two huge marks and fittingly kicked a goal after the final siren.
He fought manfully against the in-form Patrick Ryder, winning 22 hitouts, 16 disposals, and three contested marks.
Brandon Ellis continued his amazing run of form this season with his 16th game in a row with 20 or more disposals, a feat which has only been achieved by Scott Pendlebury, Michael Barlow, Matt Priddis, Josh Kennedy and Adam Treloar.
He finished with 28 disposals (93% efficiency), seven rebound 50s and five tackles in a game where he saved multiple attacks on goal through sheer hard running.
Anthony Miles was again prolific in the midfield, winning 28 disposals and seven clearances.
Dustin Martin played the majority of the game up forward, and presented well all night, with 21 disposals, eight marks and a brilliant snap goal in the third term to bring the crowd to life and swing the momentum back the Tigers’ way.
Trent Cotchin worked hard all night for his 22 disposals, six clearances, six tackles, five inside 50s and a goal.
Shane Edwards continued his excellent form, again with his handballing and clearance ability a feature. He also kicked two goals (including the sealing goal, with brilliant one-on-one work in the goal square), to go with 19 disposals (11 contested) and five clearances.
Alex Rance was excellent on the in-form Jake Carlisle, keeping him to only two goals and five marks while providing his characteristic rebound from defence.
Jack Riewoldt and Brett Deledio were shadowed by Cale Hooker and Heath Hocking manning them respectively, but both worked hard up the ground and managed to hit the scoreboard with 17 marks and four goals between them.
The Tigers travel to Adelaide Oval next Saturday night to take on the Adelaide Crows.
RICHMOND 1.2 7.4 9.8 14.11 (95)
ESSENDON 3.2 6.4 8.7 11.11 (77)
GOALS
Richmond: Deledio 2, Gordon 2, Riewoldt 2, Edwards 2, Ellis, Griffiths, Houli, Cotchin, Martin, Maric
Essendon: Chapman 2, Carlisle 2, Melksham 2, Dell'olio, Goddard, Z.Merrett, Windlerlich, Heppell
BEST
Richmond: Miles, Ellis, Edwards, Rance, Chaplin, Maric, Cotchin, Martin
Essendon: Heppell, Zaharakis, Chapman, Hooker
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Essendon: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Nick Vlastuin replaced Matt Thomas in the third term
Essendon: Elliott Kavanagh replaced Orazio Fantasia at three-quarter time.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Nicholls, McInerney, Mitchell
Official crowd: 58,024 at the MCG
