1. Buddy, Vlastuin in big trouble
It's likely to be a nervous wait for Lance Franklin and Nick Vlastuin, with both to face match review scrutiny for separate incidents on Thursday night. Franklin lashed out at Alex Rance, catching him in the throat in a moment of madness that cost the Swans a shot at goal. It's likely to cost him weeks, with the sticking point likely to be whether it will be graded low (one week) or medium (two weeks). In a separate incident, Vlastuin caught Luke Parker with a stray elbow to the head. Given Parker stayed on the field to take his kick, it's likely to be graded low impact. Though medium impact could up any penalty. Michael Christian will therefore decide whether Vlastuin's conduct was careless (fine) or intentional (one week). However, the match review has made it clear they don't like raised elbows – which could be bad news for the important Richmond defender.

TIGERS ON TOP Full match coverage and stats

2. Buddy renews Rance rivalry
It was the contest everyone came to see – the game's best forward against its best defender. But while Lance Franklin might have got the better of Alex Rance, both certainly had their moments. The makings for a fiery duel were there early. After Franklin kicked his first courtesy of a gentle Rance push, the pair squared off. Franklin soon had his second, but the heat in their match-up wasn't done there. Franklin appeared destined for his third early in the second half, only to lash out at Rance and catch him on the throat. Match review scrutiny awaits him. Eventually, he did grab his third, but only after Rance overstepped the mark right on the stroke of three-quarter time to give away a costly 50m penalty. A fourth from long range ensured Buddy would take the chocolates in terms of their individual battle, but Rance's Tigers walked away happier.

WATCH Lance v Rance continues

3. Jumping Jack comes to play
The focus might have been on Buddy, but a lot of the action was happening at the other end of the field as well. It looked like it was going to be Jack Riewoldt's night when the Richmond star had nine disposals, four marks, one goal and one goal assist at quarter time. He didn't disappoint after that, either. Clearly the best on the ground, Riewoldt shone throughout the night – with his aerial marking and his long-range accuracy clear highlights. Providing a contest every time the ball was kicked forward, Riewoldt continued to swing the momentum of the game in Richmond's favour throughout the night. He finished with three goals from 23 disposals and 16 marks – eight of which were inside 50 and seven of which were contested.

GAMEBREAKER Riewoldt the marking machine

4. The Richmond response
Amid the disappointment of a horror moment involving Reece Conca came a touching and enduring image. As the 100-game Tiger was stretchered from the field in the first quarter after suffering a sickening ankle injury, the entire Richmond team swamped the medical cart that was required to take Conca from the field. And the Richmond response to Conca's injury was just as inspiring. The Tigers kicked the final five goals to end the first term, in a burst that proved critical in deciding the outcome of the match. That buffer was crucial as the Swans challenged the hosts late, with the Tigers holding on for a deserved 26-point victory.

HALF-TIME HILARITY How Higgins revved up the Tigers

5. Richmond at Etihad Stadium
It's not often Thursday night footy finds its way to Melbourne. It's just as rare that Richmond journeys out to Etihad Stadium. But the new surroundings didn't seem to faze the Tigers, who were making just their second appearance at Docklands for the season. Although it was their home game, it almost seemed like the location favoured the Swans. John Longmire's side went into the clash having won 14 of their last 15 games at Etihad Stadium, unbeaten on the road all season. However, Richmond showed no ill-effects playing away from the MCG, running out strong winners in another show of character from the minor premiers.