Richmond has suffered its first loss in over a year with Hawthorn cruising to a massive win on Thursday night, the final scores ending 5.9 (39) to 11.5 (71) at the MCG.
The result was set up with a five-goal-to-none first term from Hawthorn and was the Tigers' first loss at their MCG fortress since round 12 last year.
Without injured superstar midfielder Dustin Martin (ribs), the Tigers lacked spark and looked unorganised heading forward with twin towers Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch completely nullified.
In an unprecedented season, it was as uncharacteristic a performance as Richmond has served up since it motored to its drought breaking 2017 flag and the two seasons since.
Who was the toughest competitor in the arena tonight? Vote on your Gladiator of the Match to win a 2020 team-signed guernsey and VIP match day experience in 2021, thanks to Jeep!
Hawthorn didn't relent as triple-premiership wingman Isaac Smith and the returning Jaeger O'Meara led a midfield masterclass, with a late flurry of Richmond scoring opportunities opening up once the game was sealed.
For a side that has built its success on the back of hard running, forward-at-all-costs play and a tenacious defence, one of the most concerning aspects of the defeat for coach Damien Hardwick will be the lack of tackling from the Tigers.
They registered just nine tackles in the first half (to Hawthorn's 20 tackles) despite having nearly 30 fewer disposals.
Although things evened up after that (they lost the count 28 to 33), Richmond has come back from the break rusty, having managed just five goals last week against Collingwood and only five against the Hawks.
RICHMOND 0.1 2.1 3.3 5.9 (39)
HAWTHORN 5.3 7.3 10.5 11.5 (71)
GOALS
Richmond: Castagna 2, Bolton, Edwards, Lynch
Hawthorn: Wingard 3, Gunston 2, Breust, Ceglar, O'Brien, O'Meara, Patton, Smith
BEST
Richmond: Vlastuin, Grimes, Short, Castagna
Hawthorn: Smith, O'Meara, Sicily, Wingard, McEvoy, Mitchell
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Hawthorn: Puopolo (calf) replaced in side by Scrimshaw, Henderson (leg)
