A week after seemingly blowing their chances with their worst performance of the season, Terry Wallace’s men redeemed themselves with a superb victory over the Hawks, 16.9 (105) to 10.16 (76).
The win means that Richmond, with matches against Fremantle and Melbourne remaining, is right back in the finals' hunt.
Hawthorn, meanwhile, has plenty of work to do in the final fortnight of the home and away season before it tries to mount a challenge for an AFL premiership.
But judging on Sunday’s effort, there is still plenty of work to do for Alastair Clarkson, as his side was outrun, out-enthused and simply outpointed by a more desperate opposition.
Making Richmond’s win all the more impressive was the fact it was achieved without vice-captain and clearance king Nathan Foley, a late withdrawal before the first bounce.
But it didn’t bother the underdog Tigers, who surged clear early and were never headed despite Hawthorn occasionally threatening.
Matthew Richardson was inspirational and typified his team’s never-say-die attitude, Joel Bowden (38 possessions) and Shane Tuck (36) won huge amounts of the footy while Mitch Morton was lively up forward.
Hawks skipper Sam Mitchell worked his way into the game while Luke Hodge, Lance Franklin and Xavier Ellis were all prominent for the losers.
It wasn’t all good news for Richmond, however, with big man Troy Simmonds reported in the first quarter for making high contact.
The Tigers went into the final term leading by 27 points after Mitch Morton soccered one off the goal line right on the three-quarter time siren to extend their advantage.
That goal came like a bolt from the blue after Hawthorn had dominated much of the third term and pressed hard to reduce the margin with little result.
The question was would the Tigers’ advantage be enough to see off a Hawthorn side that looked set to charge – and one with the most lethal forward in the game at one end.
Franklin entered the match on 91 goals and two majors in the first term made it seem as though it might be a landmark day for the young Hawk superstar as he pressed for the magical three figures.
However while clearly the most dangerous forward on the ground, his kicking boots again deserted him and he finished the day with 3.6 from 10 shots on goal.
With Franklin looming large, the Hawks came hard in the final term with Campbell Brown booting two goals inside the first four minutes to cut the margin to just 15 points.
However Richmond responded firstly through Brett Deledio with a long bomb and then – after Mark Williams had got it back to within three goals – through Jordan McMahon’s piercing left foot.
But perhaps it was a few of Richardson’s Herculean efforts that took the cake in the Tigers’ win.
The veteran, who took a staggering 21 marks for the match, threw himself willingly at contests and fittingly kicked the sealer with a little more than five minutes remaining.
Richo was at his floating best, helping out down back, roaming across the wing and presenting in attack.
The Tigers set up their lead with an impressive opening half.
While usual suspects Richardson, Bowden and Tuck were prominent, youngsters such as Daniel Connors (three goals) were equally impressive.
Hawthorn’s big guns, meanwhile, struggled to get into the game, with Mitchell and Brad Sewell kept under close check.
The Tigers led by 15 points at the first break and had doubled that by the main break.
There would be no looking back for Wallace’s men, who can now look forward to rounds 21 with hope and optimism that this September they may now be participants, and not the spectators they have for so long been resigned to being.
Next week the Tigers host Fremantle at the MCG while Hawthorn travel to Subiaco to take on West Coast.
RICHMOND 5.2 10.5 13.6 16.9 (105)
HAWTHORN 2.5 4.10 7.15 10.16 (76)
GOALS
Richmond: Connors 3, Morton 3, Cotchin, Tuck, Bowden, Tambling, Edwards, White, Cartledge, Deledio, McMahon, Richardson
Hawthorn: Franklin 3, Brown 2, Lewis, Osborne, Rioli, Bateman, Williams
BEST
Richmond: Richardson, Bowden, Deledio, Newman, Tuck, McMahon, Cotchin
Hawthorn: Sewell, Franklin, Lewis, Hodge, Bateman, Mitchell, Ladson
INJURIES
Richmond: Foley out, replaced in selected side by Polo
Hawthorn: Nil
Reports: Simmonds (Richmond) reported for front on bump on Murphy (Hawthorn) in the first quarter by umpire Nicholls
Umpires: James, Nicholls, Mollison
Official crowd: 44,523 at the MCG
