Richmond has fallen short of a win for the third-straight week, missing two late chances to get its nose in front of Fremantle as the two sides played out the season's first draw in a heart-stopping contest at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

In an ending befitting the see-sawing contest which saw momentum swing between both sides, the Tigers and Dockers were unable to be separated, with the game finishing with a 7.10 (52) to 7.10 (52) scoreline.

Tigers Noah Balta and Noah Cumberland each had an opportunity to take a shot on goal in the final two minutes, where any score would have put Richmond in front.

Balta had the chance to give Richmond the lead from a set-shot, but was called to play on and had his kick smothered, before Cumberland had another opportunity to win the game for the Tigers but played on just as the siren went.

Fremantle had the ascendancy for much of the final term and looked to be coming home with a wet sail after being behind for each of the first three quarters - kicking two goals to Richmond’s one in the last quarter.

After Matt Taberner and Shai Bolton traded last-quarter goals, Bailey Banfield snapped an incredible goal to tie the scores with about eight minutes to go - which in the end ensured the contest would end all square.

The draw takes the Dockers back into third spot for the time being, but Brisbane and Collingwood are nipping at their heels, while the Tigers hang on precariously to a spot inside the top-eight, only two points ahead of the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda.

The Richmond pre-game banner called for a spark and the players responded accordingly from the outset as Hardwick’s charges brought their trademark high-tempo footy to the fore - particularly in the second term as they laid a whopping 20-4 tackles - allowing them to lock the footy in their forward half and put Fremantle’s defence under the pump.

But despite the tidal waves of unrelenting pressure, Fremantle was able to withstand the Tigers storm and stay right in the fight at half time with Richmond being unable to make the most of their territorial dominance on the scoreboard as inaccuracy plagued them yet again.

The first half arm-wrestle failed to subside after the major break, with only one goal kicked between the two sides and a number of opportunities squandered at either end - as Fremantle, for a second straight week, uncharacteristically went goalless in the third term.

Tyler Sonsie’s solitary third-quarter goal gave Richmond a slight buffer heading into the third quarter before all chaos ensued in a dramatic final term.

RICHMOND 3.5 5.8 6.10 7.10 (52)
FREMANTLE 3.3 5.5 5.9 7.10 (52)

GOALS
Richmond: Bolton 2, Cumberland, Riewoldt, Balta, McIntosh, Sonsie
Fremantle: Logue, Aish, Brodie, Fyfe, Walters, Taberner, Banfield

BEST
Richmond: Bolton, Cotchin, Prestia, Tarrant, Broad
Fremantle: Young, Brayshaw, Brodie, Ryan, Clark, Serong

INJURIES
Richmond: Broad (knee), Grimes (hamstring), Miller (groin)
Fremantle: Fyfe (hamstring), Peace (head)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Maurice Rioli jnr (replaced Ben Miller in the fourth quarter)
Fremantle: Travis Colyer (replaced Nat Fyfe in the third quarter)