Tom Papley has starred to help Sydney bounce back from last week's loss to roll Richmond by 44 points at Adelaide Oval.

The 2021 All-Australian proved the difference on Friday night, booting a career-high six goals from 25 disposals as the Swans got back on track with a 18.14 (122) to 11.12 (78) victory.

But they didn't have it all their own way. After leading by as much as 28 points during the third term, the Tigers hit back with a seven-goal blitz to reduce the margin to just seven points at the final change.

But just as it looked like the Tigers would make a charge, the Swans regained the momentum off the back of Papley, who kicked four of his goals in the last term.

Isaac Heeney was also excellent with a couple of goals, while Joel Amartey booted two before limping off with a hamstring injury.

The Tigers had the top three disposal-winners on the ground (Liam Baker, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper) but failed to make an impact on the scoreboard, despite Jack Riewoldt's four goals.

It was a nasty start to the contest for Riewoldt, who suffered a bad cut to the head in the opening stages of the game that saw him leave the field with a rare amount of bloody streaming down his face.

Fortunately, the accidental clash was quickly fixed up with a headband and Riewoldt swiftly returned. The 34-year-old was influential, too, having the best game of his season with four goals and plenty of strong contests in attack. 

The night started off with Sydney's tall threats proving trouble for the Tigers, with Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey working in tandem in attack. In the absence of Lance Franklin (knee), Amartey booted two goals for the opening quarter and was the focal point of Sydney's forward half.

Sydney jumped to a 21-point break, capitalising on their clearance and inside-50 advantage, before some Noah Cumberland spark helped the Tigers get back to within 14 points at quarter-time.

But the game had a twist in the second term when Amartey limped from the field clutching at his hamstring and was substituted out of the game. 

Already stretched for height with the McCartins sidelined with concussions, the Swans had to make their adjustments on the run. McDonald hit the scoreboard himself, before Corey Warner and Justin McInerney slotted majors to help steer the Swans to a 21-point lead at half-time.

An early goal in the third term stretched Sydney's lead to 28 points, but Richmond's response was significant. The Tigers kicked seven of the next nine goals of the 36-minute quarter, with Riewoldt's pack mark and conversion getting them to within seven points at the final change. 

It was a mix of the young and old in Richmond's run, with Cumberland, Samson Ryan and Judson Clarke all hitting the scoreboard, while steady hand Liam Baker also floated forward to show his class. 

But Richmond's dash had been made, with the Tigers managing just another goal for the game as Papley's four in the final quarter produced the knockout blow.  

The loss leaves the Tigers with just one win and a draw from the first five matches.

RICHMOND 2.2 3.8 10.9 11.12 (78)
SYDNEY 4.4 7.5 11.10 18.14 (122)

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Cumberland 2, Ryan, Pickett, Mansell, Clarke, Baker
Sydney: Papley 6, Heeney 2, Amartey 2, Campbell, Corey Warner, Chad Warner, Rowbottom, Stephens, Mills, McInerney, McDonald

BEST
Richmond: Baker, Riewoldt, Hopper, Prestia, Taranto
Sydney: Papley, Blakey, Warner, Lloyd, Gulden, Heeney

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Sydney: Amartey (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Maurice Rioli (replaced Trent Cotchin in the third quarter)
Sydney: Will Gould (replaced Joel Amartey in the second quarter)