THE TIGERS' top-four destiny remains in their hands after Richmond completely ruined Fremantle's send-off to Domain Stadium with a ruthless 104-point victory on Sunday.
Needing to knock over the Dockers in their last-ever home game at the old Subiaco Oval to move back into fourth spot on the ladder, the Tigers withstood a fierce opening term before breaking the contest wide open.
Richmond's swarming pressure and breakneck speed shocked the Dockers, who were listless after quarter-time in their biggest ever loss to the Tigers.
The visitors booted 22 of the game's last 26 majors – including eight in a barnstorming second quarter – in the crushing 25.5 (155) to 7.9 (51) triumph.
Unlikely heroes Jacob Townsend (six goals) and Kane Lambert (three) both delivered career-best hauls for the visitors, while supporting midfield cast Shaun Grigg (36 disposals) and Brandon Ellis (33) took centre stage.
Townsend had only previously booted four goals in 32 games but Freo had no answers for the tough nut in attack.
But there were winners for Richmond everywhere.
Superstar Dustin Martin (36 disposals, two goals) confirmed his standing as the Brownlow medallist in waiting, while key forward Jack Riewoldt (four goals) also had his turn in the spotlight in the Tigers' 14th victory for the season.
Sunday's thumping victory was one to savour and Damien Hardwick's men could yet climb to third if they defeat St Kilda in round 23 and the Giants win in Geelong or if GWS loses and the Tigers make up the 1.6 percentage difference.
This was Richmond's fifth win from six games in Perth and the club's biggest victory at Domain Stadium.
It was difficult to find a positive for Freo in the club's final game at the old Subiaco Oval.
The Dockers suffered consecutive 104-point beltings – the biggest losses of Ross Lyon's coaching career - after being thumped by Sydney last round and are limping to the finish line after defeats in 10 of their last 12 games.
This was only the second loss by more than 100 points in 265 games at Domain Stadium for Fremantle.
Superstar skipper Nat Fyfe (30 disposals, one goal) could at least hold his head high on a dismal day, while Harley Bennell (six, two) seemingly got through unscathed on Dockers debut – his first game for two years after ongoing calf issues.
Five minutes into the term, the Dockers were boosted by the huge roar when Bennell ran onto the field for the first time in purple, 722 days after his last AFL game for Gold Coast.
He was immediately into the action, firing off a handball on the wing, and the Dockers celebrated like Lotto winners after the ex-Sun booted his first goal from a holding the ball free-kick.
But that was about where any semblance of positives ended – along with a competitive opening term.
Souring the day further for Fremantle was a report to young ruckman Sean Darcy after he elbowed Nick Vlastuin in the third quarter which could put him in doubt for next round's trip to face Essendon.
The result didn't stop loyal Dockers fans staying to recognise the team's efforts at Domain Stadium over the years, but they deserved better as Freo signed off with its 113th loss at the venue.
More to come
FREMANTLE 3.4 3.5 5.7 7.9 (51)
RICHMOND 3.0 11.2 17.5 25.5 (155)
GOALS
Fremantle: Bennell 2, Crozier 2, Fyfe, Deluca, Ballantyne
Richmond: Townsend 6, Riewoldt 4, Lambert 3, Butler 3, Martin 2, Rioli, Houli, Edwards, McIntosh, Nankervis, Rance, Graham
BEST
Fremantle: Fyfe, Hamling, S.Hill, Mundy
Richmond: Martin, Grigg, Townsend, Ellis, Lambert, Houli
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Richmond: Nil
Reports: Sean Darcy (Fremantle) for striking Nick Vlastuin (Richmond) in the third quarter.
Umpires: Fisher, Dalgleish, Hosking
Official crowd: 34,204 at Domain Stadium
