THE TIGERS' top-four destiny remains in their hands after Richmond completely ruined Fremantle's send-off to Domain Stadium with a ruthless 104-point victory on Sunday.

Needing to knock over the Dockers in their last-ever home game at the old Subiaco Oval to move back into fourth spot on the ladder, the Tigers withstood a fierce opening term before breaking the contest wide open.

Richmond's swarming pressure and breakneck speed shocked the Dockers, who were listless after quarter-time in their biggest ever loss to the Tigers. 

The visitors booted 22 of the game's last 26 majors – including eight in a barnstorming second quarter – in the crushing 25.5 (155) to 7.9 (51) triumph.

Full match coverage and stats

Unlikely heroes Jacob Townsend (six goals) and Kane Lambert (three) both delivered career-best hauls for the visitors, while supporting midfield cast Shaun Grigg (36 disposals) and Brandon Ellis (33) took centre stage. 

Townsend had only previously booted four goals in 32 games but Freo had no answers for the tough nut in attack.

WATCH: Townsend terrorises Dockers

But there were winners for Richmond everywhere.

Superstar Dustin Martin (36 disposals, two goals) confirmed his standing as the Brownlow medallist in waiting, while key forward Jack Riewoldt (four goals) also had his turn in the spotlight in the Tigers' 14th victory for the season.

Five talking points: Fremantle v Richmond

Sunday's thumping victory was one to savour and Damien Hardwick's men could yet climb to third if they defeat St Kilda in round 23 and the Giants win in Geelong or if GWS loses and the Tigers make up the 1.6 percentage difference.

This was Richmond's fifth win from six games in Perth and the club's biggest victory at Domain Stadium.

It was difficult to find a positive for Freo in the club's final home game before moving to Perth Stadium next year.

The Dockers suffered consecutive 104-point beltings – the biggest losses of Ross Lyon's coaching career - after being thumped by Sydney last round and are limping to the finish line after defeats in 10 of their last 12 games.

Sunday was only the second loss by more than 100 points in 265 games at Domain Stadium for Fremantle, and Tigers coach Damien Hardwick had sympathy for counterpart Lyon leading a rebuilding team.

"I do know what Ross is going through," he said post-match.

"We went through a similar thing last year when your boys are really struggling to find something to play for, which is tough.

"We got belted a couple of times late (last year).

"They're a better side than what they played today - their first quarter's more evident of, when they're up and going, how they can play."

Superstar Dockers skipper Nat Fyfe (30 disposals, one goal) could at least hold his head high on a dismal day, while Harley Bennell (six, two) seemingly got through unscathed on Dockers debut – his first game for two years after ongoing calf issues.

Five minutes into the term, the Dockers were boosted by the huge roar when Bennell ran onto the field for the first time in purple, 722 days after his last AFL game for Gold Coast. 

He was immediately into the action, firing off a handball on the wing, and the Dockers celebrated like Lotto winners after the ex-Sun booted his first goal from a holding the ball free-kick.

But that was about where any semblance of positives ended – along with a competitive opening term. 

Souring the day further for Fremantle was a report to young ruckman Sean Darcy after he elbowed Nick Vlastuin in the third quarter which could put him in doubt for next round's trip to face Essendon.

The result didn't stop loyal Dockers fans staying to recognise the team's efforts at Domain Stadium over the years, but they deserved better as Freo signed off with its 113th loss at the venue.

After the match, Lyon highlighted that the Dockers' large number of young players needed to step up and shoulder more of the load next season.

"We're really disappointed but we just spoke about in the rooms that the weight of numbers is inexperience," Lyon said.

"The season's ending, but they need to be thinking about what their break looks like, of improvement and how they need to return and the hard work that lays in front of us to be a competitive AFL team – which at times this year we've shown.

"That tipping point of weight of numbers of inexperience, youth and probably quality, that tipping point happens.

"That's what you're seeing the last couple of weeks."

MEDICAL ROOM
Fremantle: Bradley Hill hurt his ankle but played out the game. Harley Bennell got through unscathed in his comeback from two years battling calf issues.
Richmond: Shaun Grigg copped a shoulder stinger in the final term but returned to action and should be fine.

NEXT UP
The Tigers return home to the MCG on Sunday with a top-four spot on the line against St Kilda, who will be keen to send-off champion Nick Riewoldt in style. The Dockers will be aiming to bounce back at Etihad Stadium against an Essendon outfit that needs to win to play finals.

FREMANTLE       3.4     3.5     5.7      7.9 (51)                  
RICHMOND        3.0    11.2    17.5   25.5 (155)           

GOALS

Fremantle: Bennell 2, Crozier 2, Fyfe, Deluca, Ballantyne
Richmond: Townsend 6, Riewoldt 4, Lambert 3, Butler 3, Martin 2, Rioli, Houli, Edwards, McIntosh, Nankervis, Rance, Graham

BEST 
Fremantle: Fyfe, Hamling, S.Hill, Mundy
Richmond: Martin, Grigg, Townsend, Ellis, Lambert, Houli 

INJURIES 

Fremantle: Nil
Richmond: Nil

Reports: Sean Darcy (Fremantle) for striking Nick Vlastuin (Richmond) in the third quarter. 

Umpires: Fisher, Dalgleish, Hosking

Official crowd: 34,204 at Domain Stadium