The Eagles looked set to be overrun by the fast-finishing Tigers, but held on to win 16.11 (107) to 14.13 (97) to join the Sydney Swans as the only clubs to have enjoyed flawless starts to 2012.
It was the first time the Eagles have beaten the Tigers at the Docklands venue, having lost their previous three meetings at the ground.
In a thrilling last quarter, Eagles' midfielder Scott Selwood snapped a goal from close range to put the Eagles six points ahead with less than eight minutes remaining.
But, as had been the case throughout the game, the goal did not signal the end of the contest - rather, another wave of Richmond momentum.
Richmond stars Jack Riewoldt and Brett Deledio both missed shots at goal in the dying minutes that would have seen the Tigers reclaim the lead, before West Coast's Jack Darling snapped a goal over his shoulder with six seconds left to seal the win.
The victory came despite standout performances from star Richmond midfielders Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin, who combined for 55 disposals and three goals. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said it was a hard loss to take.
"I don't think I've ever been as disappointed as I was today," Hardwick said.
"Probably just for the work rate the players put in, the courage they showed ... to come away shy of the four points is really disappointing and a bitter pill to swallow."
Although the Eagles' crop of key forwards seemed likely to break the game apart for the visitors, it was actually West Coast's range of smaller players whose contributions were most important.
Darling booted four goals, but Josh Hill (three goals), Ashton Hams (two), and Chris Masten (two) were also vital to the victory. Through the midfield, Andrew Gaff was ever present with 30 disposals and nine marks, while Daniel Kerr's 24-possession effort was important.
After such an impressive opening month of the season, West Coast looked sluggish at times. The visitors held a 26-point lead midway through the second term and seemed set to break away with the game, but the Tigers responded to trail by only 13 points at the main change.
The swaying momentum continued in the third term, but Richmond closed the gap to trail by only two points by the final change.
The Tigers took the lead early in the last term when Riewoldt converted a set shot, but the Eagles rose to the challenge and held on for the win.
If it is a mark of the best teams to win games when they have not played well then the Eagles only enhanced their premiership credentials. Despite the Tigers' clear improvement, the Eagles still led at every change and deserved the win.
They also did it with injury concerns. Already without late withdrawal Eric Mackenzie, the Eagles lost his replacement Mitchell Brown to an eye injury in the first quarter.
Brown was subbed out of the game at quarter-time but West Coast's woes continued, with star forward Josh Kennedy hobbling from the field with an ankle complaint.
Richmond's Deledio also left the field with the aid of trainers after he twisted his knee when teammate Shane Tuck slid into him. Deledio, with strapping, returned to the field late in the second term while Kennedy played out the second half.
Eagles coach John Worsfold said the injuries did impact the club's plans heading into the game.
"We lost that rotation in the first quarter with Brown off, and Kennedy just really held up for as long as he could for us, so it took a bit more effort than normal," Worsfold said.
Richmond 4.2 9.4 12.11 14.13 (97)
West Coast 5.3 11.6 12.9 16.11 (107)
GOALS
Richmond: Miller 3, Jackson 2, Martin 2, Riewoldt 2, Vickery 2, Cotchin, Ellis, Maric
West Coast: Darling 4, Hill 3, Hams 2, Lynch 2, Masten 2, Cox, Kennedy, S. Selwood
BEST
Richmond: Cotchin, Maric, Martin, Deledio, Foley, Rance, Grimes
West Coast: Kerr, Gaff, Priddis, S. Selwood, Glass, Darling, Lynch
INJURIES
Richmond: Deledio (knee)
West Coast: Brown (poke in the eye), Kennedy (ankle), Mackenzie (ear infection) replaced in selected side by Brown
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Matt White replaced Brandon Ellis in the third quarter.
West Coast: Adam Selwood replaced Mitch Brown (concussion) in the first quarter.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McBurney, Armstrong, Bannister
Official crowd: 28,448 at Etihad Stadium
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