RICHMOND has lost four out of four interstate games in 2018 after being outlasted in a two-point thriller by GWS at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night.
Inaccuracy in front of goal was the reigning premier's biggest problem as they wasted many gettable scoring opportunities, while the class of GWS saw the home team make the most of their forward thrusts.
A third quarter that saw the Tigers kick 0.5 was costly in the end as GWS got home.
Tigers star Jack Riewoldt snapped a goal at the death to give his side a chance to steal victory, but GWS won the vital next centre clearance through Dylan Shield and hung on to prevail 11.13 (79) to 10.17 (77).
Lachie Whitfield was outstanding for the Giants and was well supported by Callan Ward and Stephen Coniglio, while Toby Greene kicked two goals in his first game back from injury.
Daniel Rioli was a constant threat inside 50 for the premiers and grabbed three goals, with Brandon Ellis, Dion Prestia, Kane Lambert and Dustin Martin the chief ball-winners.
The Giants kicked four of the first five goals of the match in an enterprising start built on fierce tackle pressure, but the visitors worked their way into the contest and a couple of classy finishes from Rioli reduced the margin to 10 points at the first change.
Richmond carried their momentum into the second term and they hit the front at the 16-minute mark thanks to a brilliant snap from Martin.
Rioli nailed his third and Toby Nankervis floated forward to give Richmond another early in the last, before Greene grabbed his moment when he slotted his second from a tough angle to give the Giants a 13-point advantage.
Jayden Short launched a trademark bomb from a set shot from outside 50 to get the Tigers within seven points, but Jason Castagna let another chance slip and he finished with 0.5 for the night.
The Giants tried to control the dying minutes but kept letting Richmond back into the contest, and while Riewoldt gave them life with less than a minute to play, GWS managed to sneak away with the result.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 4.3 7.6 10.10 11.13 (79)
RICHMOND 2.3 6.10 6.15 10.17 (77)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Langdon 3, Kelly 2, Taranto 2, Greene 2, Griffen, Coniglio
Richmond: Rioli 3, Riewoldt 2, Caddy, Martin, Prestia, Nankervis, Short
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Ward, Coniglio, Whitfield, Shiel, Davis, Griffen
Richmond: Martin, Lambert, Rioli, Grimes, Prestia, Short
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Richmond: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Findlay, Hosking, Margetts
Official crowd: 14,456 at Spotless Stadium
