Richmond has hung on in a thriller in front of a record home and away Saturday night crowd of 85,656 in the Dreamtime at the 'G game, defeating Essendon by 15 points.
A goal to Tigers ruckman Toby Nankervis with less than two minutes to go put the result beyond doubt, although the crushing last-minute defeats of the past three rounds would still have been at the front of mind for anyone in yellow and black.
Even the most pessimistic Tigers fans would have dared to think the game was won at that point after a pulsating contest that saw the lead change nine times in the first three quarters.
In the end Richmond's 71-42 inside 50s and superior forward pressure was enough to give them the win 11.15 (81) to Essendon 10.6 (66).
Essendon jumped the Tigers to kick the first three goals in the opening six minutes, but Richmond began to work its way back into the contest from midway through the first quarter when it gained the lead for the first time.
The game then settled into an arm-wrestle with the Tigers missing set shots but winning the territory battle, while the Bombers made the most of their chances inside 50.
Jack Riewoldt was a serial offender in front of goal, uncharacteristically missing two easy set shots in the second and third quarter, reflecting the struggle Richmond was having in converting.
However, when the moment arrived midway through the final term with scores level, Riewoldt kicked a drop punt goal from the 50-metre mark after a brilliant don't argue from Trent Cotchin started the passage of play across half back.
Dustin Martin was outstanding all night, finishing with 30 touches, while Essendon's Dyson Heppell, Brendon Goddard and Zach Merrett were prolific in bursts but could not sustain their effort for four quarters.
The Tigers would have been most upset if they had lost by less than a goal for the fourth game in succession after a controversial free kick was paid against Jayden Short for a deliberate rushed behind right on half-time.
As usual, Tigers full back Alex Rance was harder to get through than barbed wire, thrashing Cale Hooker in the first half before turning his mind to defeating a red hot Joe Daniher.
Daniher had 11 touches and three goals in the first half but just six touches and no goals in the second and was largely ineffective.
Essendon small forwards were also quiet with Green, Orazio Fantasia and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti kicking just two goals between them.
By contrast Richmond put enormous amounts of forward pressure on and benefited from great cameos by second-game player Shai Bolton, with Jason Castagna, Bolton and Daniel Rioli laying 14 tackles between them.
MEDICAL ROOM
Essendon: TBC
Richmond: TBC
NEXT UP
Richmond play North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night in a crucial match-up while Essendon takes on Greater Western Sydney in a twilight Saturday match to keep their finals hopes on track.
RICHMOND 4.4 6.9 9.12 11.15 (81)
ESSENDON 6.0 8.1 10.3 10.6 (66)
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Edwards 2, Caddy 2, Lloyd, Elton, Martin, Ellis, Nankervis
Essendon: Daniher 3, Goddard 2, Fantasia, Heppell, Green, Stewart, Zaharakis
BEST
Richmond: Martin, Ellis, Rance, Cotchin, Houli, Nankervis, Grigg
Essendon: Zaharakis, Goddard, Hurley, McGrath, Parish, Watson
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Essendon: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Dalgleish, Stevic, Deboy
Official crowd: 85,656 at the MCG
