IT WAS a big stage, a big game and a performance befitting a "big-boy" team.

If July was the month that separated the competition's contenders and pretenders, as Tigers coach Damien Hardwick declared three weeks ago, then its final hours saw a new premiership hope emerge.

Richmond's surprising yet methodical 18-point win over Hawthorn on Friday night at the MCG was significant in a number of ways, and not least because it came after the Hawks had challenged the Tigers several times throughout the contest.

The Tigers' win made amends for their last-gasp loss to Fremantle last week, saw them move into the top four on the ladder, and snapped the Hawks' dominant eight-game winning streak.

The three most recent of those Hawthorn wins had come at an average of nearly 100 points, sparking discussion they would not lose another game en route to a third consecutive premiership.

But Richmond's 10.11 (71) to 7.11 (53) win put that talk to a halt, and it was no stroke of luck.

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It was built on astute tactics to shut down the Hawks' possession game, a desire to attack with run and dare when they had the ball, and a limiting of their normal goalkicking power – they averaged 116 points a game before the defeat.

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Hawthorn’s final score was its lowest since it kicked 5.16 (46) in a five-point loss to West Coast in round four, 2012.

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Before round 15, Hardwick put the onus on his team to make a statement in July. "It's big-boy month, so it's time to come and play," he said. The Tigers delivered with three wins out of four since then, and there should be no doubt about their place near the top of the ladder after adding Hawthorn's name to an already impressive list of scalps. 

Brett Deledio's influence was huge, with the classy user kicking four vital goals from 19 disposals, while Dustin Martin (26 disposals), Trent Cotchin (24) and Brandon Ellis (27) were also important.

Anthony Miles' dogged efforts in gathering 30 disposals (plus seven clearances) helped the Tigers gain ascendancy, and Ivan Maric dominated in the ruck. In defence, Alex Rance was sublime and Bachar Houli bounced back from his game-changing error last week to perform well.

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Hardwick was understandably pleased with the intent of his side.

"The way they went about the contest tonight – the way they hunted the opposition, I thought was as good as I'd seen it," he said.

Champion Hawthorn midfield trio Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis had plenty of the ball but did not impact the game to their usual extent, with forward Jack Gunston (three goals) offering a lone hand in attack.

Compounding their defeat, Hawks defender James Frawley was reported for rough conduct for a dangerous second-quarter tackle on Jack Riewoldt.

In his 250th game as Hawthorn’s coach, Alastair Clarkson agreed his team had been 'outhunted' by the Tigers. 

"We've been up for a fair amount of time and our boys have been terrific, but our footy club and the whole footy world perhaps gets a bit of a wake-up call tonight," he said.

Richmond's intent was clear before the first bounce, with Cotchin initiating some physical argy-bargy with Hodge and Mitchell. It set the tone for a brilliant term for the Tigers, who jumped to a 19-point lead by the first change thanks to three goals from Deledio.

Their tight, precise and smart ball use kept it out of the Hawks' hands (Richmond had 51 of the first 64 touches of the night), and the tactics limited the premiership favourites to only their second goalless quarter of the year.

The Tigers' philosophy of moving the ball quick continued to pay dividends. When Josh Gibson tracked a loose ball in defence, Reece Conca roared into the contest to tackle him and shut him down. When the ball was up for grabs in the backline, Rance leapt at it, bolted off, kicked long and started a chain of disposals that ended in a Riewoldt goal.

That put the Tigers 25 points up early in the second term, but it jolted the Hawks into action. They shut down the Tigers' run, controlled the ball in their forward half, and made the most of their opportunities.

Twenty-five minutes and five goals later, the back-to-back reigning premiers led by two points at the main change. But another goalless term by the Hawks, and an energised Tigers outfit, saw the momentum swing in the third quarter, with the Tigers holding an 18-point margin at the last break.  

The Tigers saw off a Hawks challenge in the final term and held on for their third win over Hawthorn in their past four games.

Hardwick said July was when the big boys come out to play. On that measure, his team has arrived.  

Bachar Houli made amends for last week's blunder as the Tigers stood tall. Picture: AFL Media 

HAWTHORN    0.3    5.6    5.8    7.11 (53)
RICHMOND     3.4    5.4    8.8    10.11 (71)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 3, Puopolo 2, Schoenmakers, Rioli
Richmond: Deledio 4, Riewoldt, McIntosh, Vickery, Houli, Lambert, Lloyd

BEST 
Hawthorn: Lewis, Mitchell, Birchall, Hodge, Burgoyne
Richmond: Miles, Deledio, Martin, Maric, Ellis, Cotchin

INJURIES 
Hawthorn: Nil
Richmond: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: David Hale replaced by Billy Hartung in the third quarter
Richmond: Ben Lennon replaced by Sam Lloyd in the fourth quarter 

Reports: James Frawley (Hawthorn) for rough conduct against Jack Riewoldt (Richmond) in the second quarter.

Umpires: Dalgleish, Stevic, Chamberlain

Official crowd: 66,305 at the MCG