A BRILLIANT burst from Dion Prestia has helped Richmond snap a five-match losing streak with a 46-point win over injury-ravaged West Coast.
Prestia got hot in bitterly cold conditions on Saturday, kicking three goals in five minutes late in the third quarter to break open a dour contest at the MCG.
Midfield recruits Tim Taranto (30 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals) and Jacob Hopper (32, 10 and one) were also influential as the Tigers triumphed 15.14 (104) to 8.10 (58).
TIGERS v EAGLES Full match coverage and stats
Prestia's three majors equalled a career-high tally for the 199-game midfielder.
Fellow star Shai Bolton (31 disposals, seven clearances) also finished with three goals.
It was Richmond's (2-1-5) first win since round two, breathing some much-needed life back into its season.
West Coast forward Oscar Allen kicked a game-high four goals but couldn't drag his side over the line as it suffered a sixth straight defeat.
Already ravaged by injuries this season, the Eagles' woes continued when young midfielder Jai Culley went down clutching his right knee 12 minutes into the match.
The 20-year-old, an AFL Rising Star nominee playing his ninth senior game, hobbled off with help from trainers and was substituted out minutes later.
Culley and coach Adam Simpson were both emotional at the quarter-time huddle.
Tim Kelly (29 disposals, nine clearances) and Dom Sheed (29, nine) worked tirelessly in a losing cause for the Eagles, while Jamaine Jones won a career-high 30 disposals.
The visitors won clearances (45-37) but were beaten in contested possession (153-130) and smashed in inside 50s (65-43).
West Coast kicked the first two goals of a scrappy opening term – which featured just one mark inside 50m for each side – before Culley was injured.
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It kept its noses in front until midway through the second quarter when a Bolton mark and goal gave Richmond the lead for the first time.
Inaccuracy prevented a bigger margin than the Tigers' nine-point buffer at the main break after they dominated inside 50s (20-8) and kicked 4.6 to 2.2 in the second term.
Two goals from Allen to start the second half and another from the quiet Jack Darling, who was limited to just four disposals by Nathan Broad, briefly put the Eagles back in front.
But a quick reply from Bolton and Prestia's scintillating burst wrested momentum before the final change and the Tigers coasted home.
Richmond forward Noah Cumberland was substituted out of the match during the third quarter with just two disposals to his name.
Cumberland gave away two free kicks and was harshly penalised 50 metres when he kicked a ball that had already drifted over the boundary line.
Super Shai lifts Tigers
Shai Bolton produced his best performance of the season on Saturday. The All-Australian was lively throughout and finished with 31 disposals and 3.2. Bolton had season-highs for disposals, tackles (five), clearances (seven) and contested possessions (18).
Tiger recruits make their mark again
There has been plenty of talk about the Tigers' decision to bring in Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper from Greater Western Sydney, but the duo impressed again at the MCG. That pair combined for 20 clearances (10 each) and also hit the scoreboard (three goals between them).
Eagles' bad luck continues
With their injury woes already well known, West Coast suffered another blow in the first quarter on Saturday. Jai Culley, the No.1 pick in last year's AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, was substituted after suffering a knee injury. Eagles coach Adam Simpson comforted Culley in a nice moment at quarter-time.
RICHMOND 1.2 5.8 10.12 15.14 (104)
WEST COAST 2.3 4.5 7.6 8.10 (58)
GOALS
Richmond: Prestia 3, Bolton 3, Taranto 2, Ryan, Pickett, Miller, Martin, Hopper, Graham, Clarke
West Coast: Allen 4, Williams, West, Petruccelle, Darling
BEST
Richmond: Bolton, Taranto, Martin, Hopper, Prestia, Baker
West Coast: Sheed, Kelly, Allen, Duggan, Jones
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
West Coast: Culley (knee), Allen (knee)
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Rhyan Mansell (replaced Noah Cumberland in third quarter)
West Coast: Zane Trew (replaced Jai Culley in first quarter)
Crowd: 28,293 at the MCG
