Richmond has moved into the top eight after edging past Port Adelaide by 12 points in a tough slog at the MCG on Thursday night.

The Tigers burst out of the blocks to open a 19-point lead at the first change, thanks largely to debutant Judson Clarke who booted two goals with his first two kicks in the AFL.

The Tigers, who surrendered a 33-point lead in their last game against Sydney, led by as much as 26 points in the second term, yet the Power got their noses ahead after Sam Powell-Pepper's goal early in a see-sawing final quarter.

After Josh Gibcus had restored Richmond's lead and Shai Bolton missed a handful of golden opportunities to give the Tigers a two-kick cushion, Connor Rozee put through a running goal to close again within three points.

But Richmond's ruck superiority ultimately told as Toby Nankervis palmed down expertly for Liam Baker to kick the winning goal in the dying minutes.

Bolton, who finished with no goals, five behinds and one out on the full, remarkably missed the sealer running into an open goal, but it didn’t matter as Richmond won 11.11 (77) to 10.5 (65).

Baker was unrelenting with a team-high 26 disposals, while Dion Prestia was tough throughout with 25 disposals including six clearances and 12 contested possessions. Debutant Judson Clarke kicked two first-quarter goals for the Tigers with his first two kicks, while Dustin Martin finished with two majors as well.

Port's methodical style meant it dominated the possession count (378-345), with Karl Amon (29 disposals), Dan Houston (26 disposals) and Ollie Wines (26 disposals) among the chief ball-winners.

Todd Marshall was outstanding for Port with three first-half goals, while Travis Boak was gallant with a game-high nine clearances and 12 contested possessions among his 25 touches. The result leaves Port with a 5-7 record and 12th on the ladder.

In a first half full of momentum swings, Port got the early jump on the Tigers with goals to Amon and Marshall, before the home side responded with the next five majors before quarter-time, with Martin getting their first with a clinical snap, before setting up Clarke's second with a pinpoint pass.

The Tigers opened up a 26-point lead early in the second with another from Kamdyn McIntosh, before the Power responded with the next three before half-time including another two from Marshall who was causing Gibcus issues.

Richmond appeared to steady after goals from Jack Riewoldt and Noah Balta to start the third but Port wouldn’t go away, kicking the next three to close within one point at the final change after Kane Farrell's long-range shot after a Hugo Ralphsmith 50m penalty, before the final-term drama.

Port pair Zak Butters and Tom Jonas had a sickening head clash late in the final term with the game up for grabs, forcing them off the field, yet returned ahead of the final siren.

RICHMOND 5.2 6.4 8.5 11.11 (77)
PORT ADELAIDE 2.1 5.2 8.4 10.5 (65)

GOALS
Richmond: Clarke 2, Martin 2, Graham, D.Rioli, McIntosh, Riewoldt, Balta, Gibcus, Baker
Port Adelaide: Marshall 3, Amon, Dixon, Wines, Finlayson, Farrell, Powell-Pepper, Rozee

BEST
Richmond: Prestia, Baker, Cotchin, Vlastuin, Graham, Nankervis
Port Adelaide: Boak, Marshall, Houston, Amon, Wines, Burton

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Port Adelaide: Dumont (ankle), Jonas (head), Butters (head)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Kane Lambert (unused)
Port Adelaide: Martin Frederick (replaced Dumont in the third quarter)