Callum Moore’s hulking tackle on Geelong’s half-forward line literally stopped the Cats in their tracks in the final term of the Tigers’ 37-point win at Punt Road Oval on Sunday evening.

The Cats pressed for much of the second-half, and were streaming forward before Moore’s outstanding effort, which epitomised Richmond’s manic pressure throughout the evening.

The Tigers let through the first three goals of the game, before going on a nine-goal run, setting up their seventh win of the year, and fourth on-the-trot, 11.16 (82) to 6.9 (45).

Pressure has become the Tigers’ trademark, and it was on show for all to see, as they took down the seventh placed Cats.

The Tigers averaged 66 points against in the last six weeks, equating to a 4–2 win/loss record.

The Cats blitzed the Tigers early and raced to a 19-point lead midway through the opening term.

No one could question Richmond’s effort and intensity at the contest, but it lacked polish when venturing inside 50.

At the other end, the Cats streamed forward in waves, catching the Tigers off-guard.

After a below par first-half last week against the Blues, Richmond’s key-backs felt the heat early once again, but this time stood-up to the onslaught.

Mabior Chol, Ryan Gale, Nathan Broad and Moore proved impassable at times, and allowed the Tigers to pull back the momentum late in the opening term.

It took until time-on in the first term for the Tigers to register their opening major, and it came via key-forward Liam McBean.

It clicked the Tigers into gear and after the cat-like Kane Lambert swooped on an errant Geelong kick-out, Richmond’s on-baller put his side within six-points in the shadows of quarter-time.

Tigers’ senior coach Craig McRae called for trust at the first break, trust in the process and for trust in each other — and the players responded.

Emerging key-forward Todd Elton got the Tigers off to the perfect start, squeezing home his first of the second term, leveling the scores.

Richmond continuously pumped the ball inside 50, before 50-gamer Jake Aarts displayed unflinching courage, and a slice of poise to hand the Tigers a seven point lead.

Aarts bobbed-up again moments later, his double pushing the lead out to 13 points.

The Tigers nailed five-goals-in-a-row and gave the Cats little respite.

But the hosts weren’t done.

Moore barged his way through congestion deep in his attacking 50 and handed Elton a second term double.

Inside bull Jacob Townsend joined in on the act, once again displaying his poise in front of goal, before Adam Marcon capped off a blistering second term.

Marcon bustled his way through traffic and slotted a brilliant goal to gift the Tigers a 31-point lead heading into the second half.

Richmond staged a remarkable 50-point turnaround which totally stunned the Cats.

The foundation of the Tigers’ resurgence has been their stifling defensive prowess, and that was acknowledged by the Cats.

The second half was a struggle — Geelong began to surge and the Tigers were under the pump.

Once again though, Richmond’s back-six patrolled its defensive half, and repelled at will.

Zippy Richmond midfielder Jason Castagna broke the goal-drought in the third team, as he weaved his way through traffic and slotted his only goal of the night.

The Cats kept pressing and it took them a quarter-and-a-half to finally kick their fourth major.

Geelong slotted another, cutting our lead to 28 points at the final change.

McRae sensed a slight shift in momentum and reiterated that “The game will be won and lost on our defence”.

The Cats kicked the all-important first goal of the final term — up stepped Dan Butler.

With the Tigers leading by 22 points, Butler seized the moment, mowing down an unexpecting Cats’ defender and was justly rewarded.

Butler coolly went back and nailed the goal, handing his side a 29-point lead.

Butler’s exceptional defensive intent was on display moments later as his tackle handed Marcon his second major, which was the final nail in the coffin for the Cats.

Lambert did what he does best, finishing with 36 disposals, eight clearances and a goal.

While his partner-in-crime Adam Marcon accumulated 29 disposals, laid 11 tackles and slotted two goals.

Reece Conca came off second best late in the final term and received a nasty corked thigh after racking up 27 disposals.

The Tigers late season renaissance continues this week as they face Sandringham at Trevor Barker Oval this Sunday, August 21 at 2pm.