Richmond left Optus Stadium tonight with four precious premiership points, but they were made to earn them – as they should – when they capitalised better on their opportunities.
The Tigers squandered some chances in the first quarter and that left the door ajar for a gritty West Coast Eagles outfit before the visitors closed it out emphatically, winning 14.14 (98) to 8.12 (60).
A period of dominance at the end of the second term and into the start of the third quarter when Richmond kicked seven unanswered goals proved decisive. That included the first four goals of the third term when the Eagles looked lethargic and the Tigers kicked out to a game-high 47-point advantage.
The home side needed to respond and it came from Oscar Allen, who had struggled to get into the game, when he continued his run of kicking at least one goal in every game this season.
Allen finished with three goals as the Eagles surged and drew back within 25 points in the final term before Richmond kicked away to their 38-point margin in red time.
The Eagles effort was led by Tim Kelly and Andrew Gaff through the midfield, Allen and Jack Darling deep in attack and a solid defensive effort where the standards were set by Brady Hough and Tom Cole.
Darling became the third Eagles player behind Josh Kennedy and Peter Sumich to kick 500 career goals when he converted a set shot snap around his body in the third term.
Gaff, who was the tactical sub at the start of the game, found himself injected into the game early when rookie Reuben Ginbey left the game in the opening 10 minutes with a hamstring strain.
The veteran wingman responded with a 24-possession effort that was rounded out with four marks and five tackles.
There were other injury concerns for Allen and key defensive pillars Tom Barrass and Jeremy McGovern. Allen fell heavily on his shoulder in the second term and headed to the rooms for treatment and finished off strongly.
McGovern copped a glancing blow in a contest on the wing and needed a concussion test before being given the green light to finish out the game and Barrass took a nasty tumble in a marking contest and went off for a few minutes.
All three showed great resolve to resume.
The resilience of the team could not be questioned, they were simply not as clean with the ball at the ground level and Richmond’s slick ball movement on turn over was a pivotal factor.
Again Shai Bolton, Dustin Martin and Tim Taranto were crucial in the Tigers victory.
WEST COAST 1.1 2.5 6.8 8.12 (60)
RICHMOND 2.6 5.9 10.13 14.14 (98)
GOALS
West Coast Eagles: Allen 3, B.Williams, Darling, Maric, Long, Duggan
Richmond: Pickett 2, Bolton 2, Martin 2, Taranto, Soldo, Ross, Riewoldt, Prestia, Miller, Baker, McIntosh
BEST
West Coast Eagles: Kelly, Hough, Cole, Gaff, Allen, Sheed.
Richmond: D Rioli, Bolton, Martin, Taranto, Soldo, Hopper.
INJURIES
West Coast Eagles: Ginbey (hamstring) replaced by A Gaff.
Richmond: Nil
Attendance: 40,501 at Optus Stadium
