SIX GOALS from spearhead Jack Riewoldt and a huge second half from skipper Trent Cotchin has led Richmond to a stunning 18-point comeback win against the Sydney Swans.
In a physical, often niggly affair, the Tigers stormed back from a lacklustre first half to claim a 14.11 (95) to 11.11 (77) victory, having trailed by 32 points at half-time.
Five talking points: Sydney Swans v Richmond
The win consolidated Richmond's position inside the top eight, while the Swans have some worries, not least the reports of star forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett.
All up, the Tigers booted 11 goals to three after the main interval to post another significant road win, having overcome Fremantle two weeks ago in Perth, and establish their credentials as a genuine finals contender.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said the club's leaders lifted after being "monstered around the scrimmages" during a poor opening half.
"We looked down and out at halftime. The second quarter was as poor as we have played for quite some time," Hardwick told reporters after the match.
"I thought the guys showed great poise and character to come back."
WATCH: Players get 'unsociable' at the SCG
Despite a bright start, the Swans were distracted and sloppy for a lot of the contest, ensuring their six-game unbeaten run came to an end.
The 9-3 Swans also face the prospect of being without Franklin and Tippett in the short-term after the pair was reported in two separate incidents.
In the second term, Franklin ran past the footy just outside the Swans' attacking 50m and, with his left arm tucked into the side of his body, collected Shane Edwards in the head.
Field umpire Justin Schmitt reported the star forward.
Although Edwards got to his feet immediately and managed to take his free kick, he looked dazed and came off the ground shortly afterwards.
Edwards was late to return from the rooms after half-time as he underwent a concussion test. And in further drama, the Tigers were penalised for an interchange infringement in the third term when they tried to get Edwards back on the ground before the player had served the mandatory 20-minute concussion period.
Tippett was the second player to go into umpire Schmitt's book early in the third term, when the 28-year-old raised his right elbow in a marking contest and struck Dylan Grimes in the head.
Tippett has been reported for this late hit on Grimes #AFLSwansTigers http://t.co/onLadKuAm9
— AFL (@AFL) June 26, 2015
Grimes looked shaken after the clash, staying on the ground for a few moments before regaining his feet.
But amongst the carnage, Riewoldt lit up the SCG on a chilly Friday night. The star Tiger kicked his sixth goal at the 22-minute mark of the final term to put his team in front for good in an enthralling encounter witnessed by 37,579 fans.
And Tigers skipper Cotchin also had a big impact on the contest, providing most of the visitors' drive forward on his way to 27 possessions.
How did Cotchin kick this?! #AFLSwansTigers #ohwhatafeeling http://t.co/hw2kmOsEeX
— AFL (@AFL) June 26, 2015
The Swans, who had looked in control for most of the first half when they extended a one-goal quarter-time advantage to a 32-point lead at the main break, found themselves under pressure after the Tippett clash as the Tigers worked their way bravely back into the contest.
Swans coach John Longmire said his side could not regain the momentum after Richmond's big third quarter.
"Teams get momentum and it happens in football every game, all the time. We had it in the first half, they came out and clearly had it in the third," Longmire said.
"It's just the way the game is played, you've got to make sure that when you wrestle the momentum back you then surge again, and we didn't surge again. They did."
Cotchin, who had good support from the likes of Anthony Miles (28 touches), Dustin Martin (24) and Shaun Grigg (24) got things started for the visitors with the first of four unanswered Richmond goals in a 12-minute burst that reduced the margin to single digits.
WATCH: Alex Rance gets the job done over Lance Franklin
And although the Swans responded with goals from Tom Mitchell and Luke Parker, it was Richmond that took a deserved two-point lead into the final term thanks to a pair of goals from the mercurial Riewoldt.
All up, the Tigers booted 11 goals to three after the main interval to post another significant road win, having overcome Fremantle two weeks ago in Perth, and establish their credentials as a genuine finals contender. The men from Punt Road face GWS at the MCG next Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Swans will be anxiously awaiting the findings of the Match Review Panel, and spend the next six days ahead of their round 14 meeting with Port Adelaide on Thursday night wondering how they let slip a more than five-goal advantage.
Lance Franklin won the early skirmishes but Alex Rance dominated the big forward. Picture: AFL Media
SYDNEY SWANS 3.4 8.7 10.8 11.11 (77)
RICHMOND 2.4 3.5 10.10 14.11 (95)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Franklin 2, Parker 2, Rohan 2, Derickx, Hannebery, Kennedy, Mitchell, Tippett
Richmond: Riewoldt 6, Newman, Cotchin, Deledio, Vickery, Ellis, Gordon, Maric, Miles
BEST
Sydney Swans: Kennedy, Parker, McVeigh, Hannebery, Rohan, Grundy
Richmond: Riewoldt, Cotchin, Miles, Rance, Ellis, Maric
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Nil
Richmond: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Tom Mitchell replaced by Zak Jones at three quarter-time
Richmond: Kane Lambert replaced by Kamdyn McIntosh in the last quarter
Reports: Lance Franklin (Sydney Swans) reported for engaging in rough conduct on Shane Edwards in the second quarter.
Kurt Tippett (Sydney Swans) reported for striking Dylan Grimes in the third quarter.
Umpires: Schmitt, Chamberlain, Meredith
Official crowd: 37,579 at the SCG
The siren has sounded to end Q4.
GOALTigers (Anthony Miles)
Tyrone Vickery has been pivotal in the second half with 7 forward half marks and a game high 8 score involvements.
GOALTigers (Ivan Maric)
GOALTigers (Jack Riewoldt)
The Swan's have struggled, scoring from just 33.33 per cent of inside 50's in the second half, whilst Richmond has scored from 61 per cent of inside 50's.
GOALSwans (Kurt Tippett)
Although Sydney has 11 inside 50's and 4 marks inside 50, that goal by Kurt Tippet was the first of the final quarter.
BEHINDSwans (Harry Cunningham)
Brandon Ellis has been influential in the second half, he has 6 contested possessions, 5 scoring involvements and his disposal efficiency is 92. Whilst, Anthony Miles has 7 tackles and 3 clearances in this half.
Brandon Ellis has been influential in the second half, he has 6 contested possessions, 5 scoring involvements and his disposal efficiency is 92
Richmond InterchangeKamdyn McIntosh was substituted into the game for Kane Lambert.
BEHINDSwans (Rushed)
BEHINDSwans (Luke Parker)
In the second half, Richmond has 20 chains from intercepts, resulting in 13 inside 50's and 9 scoring shots. Tyrone Vickery and Jack Riewoldt have benefited by taking 6 marks inside 50 and scoring 4 goals.
BEHINDTigers (Nathan Gordon)
The Tigers have won the clearance count in six of their past eight games against the Swans. In the second half, they have scored from 50 per cent of their 10 clearances.
GOALTigers (Jack Riewoldt)
Q4 is now underway.
The siren has sounded to end Q3.
In that quarter, Richmond had 3611 possessions in their forward half as well as 11 more inside 50's and had a disposal efficiency of 71 per cent to the Swans 37 per cent. This resulted in 5 goals from turnovers.
BEHINDTigers (Ty Vickery)
Richmond have the last 5 inside 50's, they are also winning the contested possession count 42 to 25 and have 15 possession gains in their defensive half.
BEHINDTigers (Shane Edwards)
GOALTigers (Jack Riewoldt)
Sydney Swans InterchangeKieren Jack replaces Kurt Tippett due to the blood rule.
GOALTigers (Jack Riewoldt)
Brett Deledio and Trent Cotchin have 4 and 5 score involvements each and 19 disposals combined, they have triggered Richmond's comeback with 5 goals from turnovers in this quarter.
BEHINDTigers (Shaun Grigg)
GOALTigers (Nathan Gordon)
GOALSwans (Luke Parker)
GOALSwans (Tom Mitchell)
In the forward half, Richmond's disposal efficiency is 70 per cent and they have 7 marks inside 50, which resulted in 2 goals. Whilst Sydney's efficiency is just 33 per cent and they have just 1 mark.
GOALTigers (Brandon Ellis)
BEHINDTigers (Trent Cotchin)
In this quarter, the Tigers have generated 9 chains from intercepts resulting in 7 inside 50's and 3.1.19 from turnovers.
GOALTigers (Ty Vickery)
GOALTigers (Brett Deledio)
Despite winning 18 clearances that goal triggered by Trent Cotchin was Richmond's first goal from a stoppage.
GOALTigers (Trent Cotchin)
Richmond InterchangeTrent Cotchin was substituted into the game for Kamdyn McIntosh.
BEHINDTigers (Rushed)
The Tigers have conceded a score from 49 per cent of their oppositions inside 50's this season ??? ranked 16th. Sydney has converted a score from 45 per cent of entries so far in this game.
BEHINDSwans (Harry Cunningham)
Q3 is now underway.
The siren has sounded to end Q2.
Daniel Hannerbery has a game high 20 disposals and 6 score involvements, whilst Lance Franklin was a focal point with 3 marks inside 50 in the second quarter.
Sydney held a 8140 advantage in uncontested possessions, which was largely due to their superior disposal efficiency of 76 per cent-61 per cent. This efficiency allowed Sydney to capitalize on its clearances by producing 7 scoring shots.
Richmond InterchangeShane Edwards off due to a concussion.
BEHINDSwans (Rushed)
Richmond has been unable to transition from defensive 50, generating just 1 inside 50 from 9 defensive chains. In comparison, Sydney who have scored 1.1.7 from defensive 50 chains.
GOALSwans (Josh P. Kennedy)
Sydney's pressure has been important in the quarter. The Swans have had 13 tackles to 1 and as a result, Richmond's disposal efficiency is just 49
BEHINDSwans (Rushed)
BEHINDSwans (Lance Franklin)
BEHINDTigers (Kane Lambert)
GOALSwans (Dan Hannebery)
GOALTigers (Jack Riewoldt)
The Swans have had 10 tackles to the Tigers 1 this quarter. However, Richmond is winning the contested possession count 126, which has lead to 3 inside 50's from stoppages.
GOALSwans (Gary Rohan)
Richmond has had four hitoutsto-advantage to Sydney's zero, allowing Richmond to gain a 10-9 advantage in the clearances but they have only managed one behind from this source.
GOALSwans (Lance Franklin)
Including that inside 50 and goal 42.9 per cent of Sydney's forward 50 entries have come from defensive 50 chains, resulting in 3 scores.
GOALSwans (Tom Derickx)
Q2 is now underway.
The siren has sounded to end Q1.
Kieran Jack was a pivotal part of Sydney's scoring in that quarter. He had 6 contested possessions, 3 possession gains and 3 score involvements, which resulted in Sydney generating 2.1.13.
BEHINDSwans (Josh P. Kennedy)
GOALSwans (Lance Franklin)
BEHINDTigers (Rushed)
Sydney has 9 turnovers in the forward half so far. Richmond has capitalized by generating 7 of the last 8 inside 50's and scoring 2.2.14 from turnovers.
BEHINDTigers (Rushed)
GOALSwans (Gary Rohan)
BEHINDTigers (Trent Cotchin)
Richmond has been efficient in the forward half, generating a score from 50 per cent of inside 50's. They have punished Sydney's turnover by scoring 2 goals from possession gains.
GOALTigers (Chris Newman)
Luke Parker has started well on the inside. He has 4 contested possessions, 2 clearances and 1 goal.
The Swans are ranked 15th in the competition for generating goals from inside 50's. Tonight, they have had 8 inside 50's to 4, however their disposal efficiency inside 50 is just 43 per cent and as a result, they have only generated 1 goal.
BEHINDTigers (Jack Riewoldt)
BEHINDSwans (Josh P. Kennedy)
GOALSwans (Luke Parker)
BEHINDSwans (Lance Franklin)
Sydney has won 64 per cent of its possession uncontested this season, they are leading Richmond 213 at a disposal efficiency of 91 per cent in the early stages, but have generated just 1 score.
GOALTigers (Jack Riewoldt)
BEHINDSwans (Kurt Tippett)
Q1 is now underway.
The Swans have been able to restrict the opposition from scoring by winning 23 per cent of their defensive oneon-one contests, ranking them second in the competition.
Brandon Ellis has been an important source of outside run for Richmond this season. He has won 73 per cent of his possessions uncontested this season, this is the third highest percentage of the top50 possession winners in the AFL.
Don't forget to enter your tips for this match, you have until the bounce to make your selection. Tippers choice is currently Swans 91.3% and Tigers 8.7%.
Changes for Tigers Ins: N.Gordon, C.Newman, K.Lambert Outs: S.Morris, C.Ellis, C.Menadue
Changes for Swans Ins: T.Derickx, Z.Jones Outs: M.Pyke, D.Robinson
Welcome to SCG for the Sydney Swans v Richmond Round 13 clash.