RICHMOND'S win over Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday was an exceptional performance.

Not from the point-of-view that it was a supposed 'upset', but because it overcame immense external pressure to come back from the west with a 64-point victory.

In the lead-up to the match, Richmond was under the pump from the media and its unrelenting fans - yet again - just three rounds into a new season. But a disappointing 44-point loss against Collingwood in round three didn't help its cause.

Coach Terry Wallace was under the spotlight, dual Jack Dyer Medallist Joel Bowden was banished to Coburg and the doomsayers were convinced Richmond's season was over - a curious notion considering the Tigers still had 19 matches to play.

Sure, Richmond needed to lift its act, but to consider it was a massive underdog against Fremantle was perplexing, particularly as the home side had its own vulnerabilities.

Like Richmond, Fremantle entered the match with just one win under its belt.

That victory came in the previous round when Fremantle produced a hard-fought derby win against West Coast. But for one reason or another, history has often shown it is difficult to win on the back of a derby clash.

The Purple Haze's recent winning record at Subiaco was okay, but not as dominant as many perceived, with Fremantle entering the match having dropped three of its past seven matches.

Richmond also had good cause for optimism, after it pushed Fremantle strongly, despite falling short in its two most recent encounters at Subiaco Oval in round 11, 2007 and round 10, 2006.

Despite these factors, Fremantle was still the overwhelming favourite.

The logic comes from the fact that Fremantle possesses an outstanding list, yet it has not been able to consistently perform to its potential since its preliminary final berth in 2006.

That's why Freo remains one of the most frustrating teams in the competition.

But the reality is Fremantle is part of a competition, where little separates top and bottom.

This was highlighted in round three, when a backs-to-the-wall Melbourne was regarded as the greatest outsiders - one betting agency was offering $34 for a red and blue win - in a two-horse race against Geelong.

Although the Cats still won by 30 points, no-one gave 16th placed Melbourne a shot against the reigning premier Geelong, when many believed a 10-goal plus margin or a three-figure result was a certainty.

It only highlighted how little separates the competition and that upsets are a thing of the past.

The draft and salary cap has evened up the competition to the point where all of the lists are relatively even on talent - it's what follows from there that splits the teams on a week-to-week basis.

And this is where player confidence, the health and continuity of a team's best 22 and the ability to adhere to team plans comes into play each round. But the uncompromising nature of the competition means that this can be difficult to achieve every round.  

The Tigers were able to field a strong line-up against Freo with Matthew Richardson, Nathan Foley and Kane Johnson leading the way. Richmond also played with confidence and carried out plans - Richo off the wing, for example, was telling.  

This was what separated the two teams on this occasion.

But when the two teams meet again in round 21 at the MCG, who knows what will transpire?

Regardless of the two teams' positioning on the ladder, you can be assured that it won't be an upset.