The Tigers survived a late scare to run out seven-point winners in the Saturday afternoon MCG clash, 15.15 (105) to 15.8 (97).
The loss is the eighth single-figure loss to Fremantle this season, who went into the match without skipper Matthew Pavlich after he was a late withdrawal due to a foot injury.
But Pavlich's absence did not prevent a close contest, and it was not until Richmond kicked the first four of the final term that a game which had been in the balance all afternoon, swung decisively one way.
Matthew Richardson had been quiet all day but bobbed up with two crucial fourth quarter goals to steer the Tigers home.
The visitors kicked remarkably accurately and to three-quarter time had missed just two set shots in their total of 13.5. But when endeavour was needed to break the game open in the final term, it was too little, too late for Freo – its last two goals coming after Richmond had taken hold of the contest with a 20-point lead.
For the Tigers, Shane Tuck played a ripper, kicking a couple and causing havoc across half-forward. Brett Deledio was as safe, sure and creative as ever, Daniel Jackson was eye-catching and Troy Simmonds good around the ground as he ran away from Aaron Sandilands despite conceding the hitouts.
For Fremantle, Roger Hayden was clearly the best for the visitors with an excellent display across half-back. Youngster Rhys Palmer was good again in the middle despite little support. and Luke McPharlin was good in a struggling defence. Paul Duffield continues to improve and Adam Campbell was also strong across half-back.
The first term got off to a shocking start for the Tigers, with three Fremantle goals in the first six minutes, all from marks.
Relief arrived with a major from Mitch Morton, but the quick reply from Ryan Murphy had it back out to 17 points.
Richmond's mini-run of two on the trot should have been more save for inaccurate finishing and a late goal to Rhys Palmer, and a bizarre rushed behind when the Richmond defence punched it through after the siren, meant a seven-point break to the visitors at quarter time.
The Tigers kicked the first two of the second term to grab the lead for the first time, but Freo responded with three of their own before the sides traded majors for the rest of the term.
At the long break, the margin remained seven points in Freo's favour.
The Tigers burst out of the blocks in the third, kicking three to go to a 13-point lead, but Fremantle countered with their own trio of goals and took a five-point lead to the final change.
Richmond will now wait on the results of this round before gathering themselves for Melbourne next week, and a possible shot at the finals.
Richmond 3.6 8.8 11.12 15.15 (105)
Fremantle 5.1 10.3 13.5 15.8 (98)
GOALS
Richmond: Morton 3, Richardson 2, Tuck 2, Deledio 2, Jackson, Simmonds, Connors, Foley, Schultz, Newman
Fremantle: Mark Johnson 3, Murphy 2, Bradley 2, Campbell, Mundy, Palmer, Drum, Headland, Thornton, Carr, Peake
BEST
Richmond: Tuck, Deledio, Jackson, Edwards, Simmonds, Foley, Connors
Fremantle: Hayden, Palmer, McPharlin, Duffield, Campbell
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Fremantle: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Schmitt, Ellis, Mollinson
Official crowd: 24,881 at the MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the club.
