Two stunning fourth-quarter goals from Jack Graham has dragged Richmond to a 13-point win over a gallant Sydney at a wet and wild MCG.

The hard-nosed half-forward kicked a bomb from the centre square to draw the Tigers level, before pouncing on a front-and-centre to take the margin out to seven with a minute remaining.

It's a crucial bounce-back win for Richmond after a highly disappointing thumping at the hands of Brisbane, the 12.16 (88) to 11.9 (75) victory pushing the Tigers to just two points shy of the top eight.

Conversely, it could be a shattering blow for the Swans, who had a 26-point lead halfway through the second term and were in front until 10 minutes into the fourth quarter, and remain six points adrift of the top half of the ladder.

After an incredibly inaccurate draw against Geelong last week, Sydney kicked three straight goals to open its account. The Swans looked dangerous, linking up through the middle of the ground with ease and recording 55 more disposals in the first quarter as Luke Parker and Ollie Florent ran riot.

In-form Errol Gulden relished the wide wings of the MCG, particularly in the drier and faster conditions early in the game, while lively small forward Tom Papley threated throughout the game.

Shai Bolton and Dustin Martin sprang to life in the second quarter, causing havoc across half-forward with their speed and pressure around the footy.

But while the Tigers' general play was of a much higher standard, Toby Nankervis and Ben Miller both missed straightforward shots late in the quarter, and the Swans maintained an 18-point lead at half-time and looked a class above across the first two quarters.

Liam Baker – the ever-versatile Tiger playing forward – put in his nomination for goal of the year with a fluky soccer major on the goal-line to open the third term, throwing his body parallel with the goal face in order to get a boot to the ball.

It kickstarted a mini-Tiger resurgence as the rain began to tumble, lasting until Isaac Heeney's third sharp goal halfway through the quarter, the star Swan having found plenty of space in attack throughout the game and capitalising on his opportunities.

Despite Richmond's third-term dominance, the Tigers struggled to take their shots, kicking 3.6 in the soggy conditions as the Swans hung tough and capitalised on their few opportunities, with Lewis Melican and Dane Rampe settling things in defence. 

RICHMOND 2.1 5.6 8.12 12.16 (88)
SYDNEY 4.4 8.6 10.8 11.9 (75)

GOALS
Richmond: Ross 2, Graham 2, Miller, Pickett, Cotchin, Baker, Nankervis, Vlastuin, Riewoldt, Martin
Sydney: Heeney 3, McInerney 2, Hayward 2, Franklin 2, Gulden, Papley

BEST
Richmond: Bolton, Taranto, Martin, Young, Ross, Nankervis
Sydney: Florent, Gulden, Parker, Rowbottom, Heeney, Rampe

INJURIES
Richmond: Bauer (hamstring)
Sydney: Lloyd (concussion)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Jack Ross (replaced Bauer in the first quarter)
Sydney: Aaron Francis (replaced Lloyd in the second quarter)

Crowd: 48,443 at the MCG