RICHMOND has experienced a moment of Marlion magic against the Giants before.

Having already witnessed his special Grand Final debut back in 2019, the Tigers faithful perhaps could have foreseen what would eventuate when Marlion Pickett was bearing down on goal with the ball in his possession amid a dramatic clash that was all square with 24 seconds remaining on Sunday.

Of course, Pickett kicked truly and in doing so snatched a thrilling 16.14 (110) to 15.14 (104) victory from the hands of Greater Western Sydney to notch Andrew McQualter's first triumph as an AFL coach and keep Richmond's slim finals hopes alive. The Giants, as was the case four years ago, were left stunned.

Tigers veteran Jack Riewoldt was sensational in the remarkable win. He also wound back the years, kicking five goals from 15 disposals and eight marks to spearhead the upset. Tim Taranto, playing against his old side for the first time, was also a commanding presence and finished with 35 disposals, nine clearances and a goal.

The Giants had taken the lead with just three minutes left to play. Led by Tom Green (35 disposals, eight clearances) and Callan Ward (32 disposals, one goal), the young side had battled hard and thought they had secured a second successive win when Kieren Briggs just managed to squeeze his shot home in the dying stages.

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But, this time, it proved not to be. Dion Prestia levelled the scores almost instantly, before Pickett somehow stepped through traffic, steadied on his left foot, and slotted home calmly to the delirium of the travelling fans. Although still two games from the top-eight, it ensured Richmond's season is not done yet.

The game had initially appeared as though it would be a battle of efficiency. Where the Giants had been profligate early, managing three of the first four scoring shots but registering only three behinds, the Tigers made the most of their chances. They kicked 10 scores from 12 entries to quarter-time, taking a 24-point lead at the first change.

Riewoldt was at the centre of the side's early surge. Having kicked two goals from strong marks himself in the first quarter, the 34-year-old then unselfishly put one on a plate for Jack Graham to start the second term as the visitors' advantage grew even further. They were ominous signs for the hosts.

The Giants needed a circuit-breaker, and some luck. Three of their next four scoring shots would hit the post – adding to the frustrating sense of wastefulness – before hope started to arrive in droves. Four straight goals, topped off by Finn Callaghan's long-range bomb, eventually reduced the deficit to single digits just before half time.

In a match full of momentum swings, some parity eventually broke out in the third term as both sides battled for control and any sort of edge. The result, for the most part, was an ugly stalemate as Richmond retained a handy 16-point buffer while also squandering a host of chances to build on its advantage.

The Giants needed their leaders to stand up and, in a timely fashion, they did. Toby Greene produced two unique finishes around goal, Ward kicked truly on the run, while exciting recruit Toby Bedford streamed through the middle and converted his own work to whittle the deficit away to a solitary point.

A dramatic clash was screaming out for heroes and found two unlikely ones. Giants substitute Josh Fahey first put the hosts in front, belting home from beyond 50m for his first AFL goal, before Richmond youngster Judson Clarke responded with an equally impressive strike just moments later to regain the lead for the Tigers.

With the scores level, Briggs dump-kicked out of a stoppage to seemingly give the hosts a win to savour. But a response from Prestia, and the match-winner from Pickett, stunned the home crowd and ensured Richmond's slim hopes of a September return still burn.

New Tiger Tim returns to familiar territory
It might have had all the hallmarks of being 'one of those days' for Tim Taranto upon his return to Giants Stadium, when he was caught holding the ball from a rundown tackle in the game's opening 60 seconds. But from there, the ex-Giant handled himself well in familiar territory. Having requested a trade to Richmond after 114 games in the orange and charcoal of Greater Western Sydney last off-season, Taranto was met by a smattering of boos from the Giants faithful. But he continued his prolific season amid the jeers, amassing 35 disposals to go with nine clearances and a goal.

Tigers find their Jack in a box
Set to turn 35 later this year, Jack Riewoldt was still as spritely as ever at Giants Stadium. The veteran Richmond forward, in the absence of partner Tom Lynch, continued to impress as the focal point of the side's attack. He has now kicked bags of four against Sydney, four against Melbourne and four against the Giants since Lynch exited the team. Riewoldt led strongly, marked well above his head and ended the contest with a game-high five goals. It could have been more, given he took eight shots, but his 10 score involvements were among the most on the ground and inspired Richmond to victory.

Rotten luck continues for Daniels
It was not the afternoon an in-form Brent Daniels was hoping for, as yet another hamstring injury ruined his day early. Daniels, who didn't play a single game last season due to persistent hamstring injuries – enough to warrant a trip to the United States for treatment and additional advice – limped from the field just before half time and wasn't seen again. The small forward had been in All-Australian form to start the year, bagging 16 goals from 10 games and averaging 16.8 disposals and 5.9 score involvements per match. Now, another frustrating stint on the sidelines awaits.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     2.4     6.9      8.12       15.14 (104)
RICHMOND                                 6.4     9.4     11.10      16.14 (110)

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Greene 3, Briggs 2, Riccardi, Brown, Hogan, O'Halloran, Callaghan, Daniels, Ward, Bedford, Cadman, Fahey
Richmond: Riewoldt 5, Clarke 2, Pickett 2, Taranto, Mansell, Bolton, Graham, McIntosh, Ryan, Prestia

BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Green, Ward, Callaghan, Ash, Whitfield, Bedford
Richmond: Riewoldt, Taranto, Bolton, Prestia, Short, Martin

INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Daniels (hamstring)
Richmond: Grimes (shoulder)

SUBSTITUTES
Greater Western Sydney: Fahey (replaced Daniels in the third quarter)
Richmond: Cumberland (replaced Mansell in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 9723 at Giants Stadium