RICHMOND'S premiership defence is back on track after a hard-fought 13-point win over the previously unbeaten Hawthorn in sweltering conditions at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers led virtually all day, extending their advantage to a game-high 39 points early in the last quarter before Hawthorn closed to within 14 points with just under three minutes left.
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After copping a hiding from Adelaide in the Grand Final rematch at the Adelaide Oval, the reigning premier finally held out against another potential premiership contender, winning 15.12 (102) to 13.11 (89) in front of a record crowd for the two clubs of 70,701.
However, the Tigers will sweat on high contact by star defender Alex Rance on Luke Breust late in the game, which saw the Hawks forward dazed.
WATCH: Rance v Breust
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick was disappointed with the way his team played out the game, saying they played it too safe, but was generally happy with the effort.
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"Where we had to defend hard and fast, I thought we did that really, really well," Hardwick said post-match.
"Overall, I was pretty happy with our endeavour in and around the contest, which was much improved over last week.
"We've still got a little bit of work to do in that area of our game though, which is another exciting prospect for me to get us better."
Hawthorn counterpart Alastair Clarkson was proud of his players' efforts to come home hard after being well beaten.
"We fell a bit short, particularly early, but we're really pleased that we ran the game out. That should give us a bit of hope," Clarkson said.
WATCH: Butler serves up a special
On an afternoon when the mercury reached 30 degrees – which highlighted Richmond's 10-day preparation compared to Hawthorn's six – both teams brought their defensive heat.
However, Richmond sustained it for longer and simply had too much run and class, conquering a Hawthorn unit that seems to have mimicked its own high-pressure style based around pacy small men.
After a jittery opening, the Tigers established an early advantage when they rattled on five of six goals either side of the first break to lead by 26 points in the second term.
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Just when Richmond threatened to blow the game open, the Hawks fought back, gaining momentum in the latter part of the second term, but their forward entries were too easily picked off by Tiger defenders David Astbury and Alex Rance.
By half-time Hawthorn had dominated the clearances 25-10 – six of them to the ever-prolific Tom Mitchell, who finished with a game-high 42 possessions and 12 clearances – but hadn't achieved enough penetration, trailing in the inside 50s 25-28.
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The Hawks were more incisive early in the third term when they twice closed to within 13 points, before the Tigers upped their intensity and piled on the next four goals to lead by a game-high 39 points. Although they conceded five of the last six goals, the four points were as good as theirs.
Richmond's runners were irrepressible, and none were better than dashing defender Bachar Houli, who set up numerous forward thrusts in an accomplished display.
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Skipper Trent Cotchin was typically tiger-hearted, Kamdyn McIntosh helped get his team going in the first half and although superstar Dustin Martin wasn't at his absolute best from a Brownlow Medal perspective, at times he seemed to have a hand in everything in a predominantly forward role.
Jack Riewoldt slotted four goals, including a late steadier, in a composed performance.
Richmond's defence was superbly served by Rance, Astbury and the returning Nick Vlastuin.
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For Hawthorn, along with Mitchell, ruckman Ben McEvoy had the better of Toby Nankervis, Ben Stratton battled valiantly in defence and Jack Gunston had his moments in a roaming role.
The Hawks sorely missed veteran Shaun Burgoyne (hamstring), who was sidelined for the first time in almost five years, and fellow playmaker James Sicily (suspended).
Another highlight was the debut of diminutive Tiger forward Jack Higgins, who appears certain to become a cult figure, kicking two goals, the second being an instinctive volley out of mid-air.
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MEDICAL ROOM
Richmond: The Tigers enjoyed a clean bill of health.
Hawthorn: Tim O'Brien went into the rooms in the second quarter with a right leg issue but soon returned. Luke Breust copped a knock from Alex Rance while marking late in the last quarter and took some time to regain his feet but didn't seem to suffer any ill effects.
NEXT UP
The Tigers return to the MCG next Saturday to host the Brisbane Lions, while the Hawks face Melbourne on the hallowed turf the next day.
RICHMOND 5.3 8.7 12.11 15.12 (102)
HAWTHORN 2.4 5.6 7.8 13.11 (89)
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Castagna 3, Higgins 2, Grigg, Edwards, Nankervis, Lloyd, McIntosh, Butler
Hawthorn: Roughead 4, Puopolo 3, Breust 3, Rioli, Mitchell, O'Meara
BEST
Richmond: Cotchin, Conca, Houli, Vlastuin, Rance, Martin
Hawthorn: Mitchell, McEvoy, Smith, Roughead, Gunston
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Rosebury, Hosking
Official crowd: 70,701 at the MCG
