The Swans led by 27 points at half time and looked set for a comfortable win, but the Tigers fought back in the second half, cutting the lead to just six points during the final term.
However, some trademark desperation earned the Swans a deserved victory, 14.10 (94) to 11.9 (75), to move them into the top eight.
Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Rhyce Shaw were outstanding in defence for the home side while Michael O’Loughlin was among a quartet of Swans who booted two goals.
Tiger Daniel Jackson kept Adam Goodes quiet and generated plenty of drive himself, Richard Tambling was electric in the first half and Angus Graham worked hard in the ruck and in attack, finishing with two majors.
The Swans started brightly through goals to 100-gamer Shaw and Jarred Moore, before Richmond replied through Matthew Richardson – for his 800th career goal – and a clever snap from Andrew Collins.
Canadian Mike Pyke came on for his first run after six minutes to a rousing ovation from the SCG crowd and he immediately looked at ease, taking a strong contested mark in defence.
Even more impressive was the former rugby union international’s centre-square tap to Brett Kirk, who fed O’Loughlin for the Swans’ third goal.
The home side dominated the rest of the term, adding two more goals and squandering several chances to extend its lead past the 23-point margin at quarter time.
To compound the Tigers’ woes, Richardson appeared to tweak his troublesome gluteal muscle late in the term in a marking contest and he started the second quarter on the bench.
Richmond began the term in a more committed fashion and Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls’ first goal in reply to Kristin Thornton’s opener for the Swans was a just reward.
But the Swans eventually found space and Heath Grundy finished a classy move that began at half back.
Richardson came back on midway through the term and stationed himself in the goal square in a repeat of last weekend’s tactic against North Melbourne.
Late goals to Brett Meredith and O’Loughlin sandwiched a reply from the lively Tambling and the Swans looked set for a five-goal cushion at half time.
But Graham kicked the first goal of his career after the siren to reduce the gap to 27 points much to the delight of his teammates who mobbed him as they headed to the rooms.
The Richmond resurgence gathered pace when Robin Nahas used his blistering pace to full effect early in the third quarter to kick a wonderful goal.
Hall replied with his first major from four attempts but it failed to deter the Tigers, who added three of the term’s last four goals to trail by just 15 points at the final change.
Richmond’s strong third term was built on its dominance at the stoppages and that continued in the final term.
Mark Coughlan’s snap from a forward-line clearance brought the travelling Tiger fans to life and cut the margin to eight points.
Only a desperate diving tackle from Marty Mattner prevented Jack Riewoldt from levelling the scores after 12 minutes of the final quarter.
The free kick and resultant 50m penalty ended with a Jarred Moore mark and he kicked truly to give the Swans some much-needed breathing space.
Meredith capped his impressive game with his second goal two minutes later and it was enough to quell the Richmond charge.
Sydney Swans 5.6 9.7 11.9 14.10 (94)
Richmond 2.1 5.4 9.6 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: O’Loughlin 2, Jack 2, Moore 2, Meredith 2, Hall 2, Shaw, McVeigh, Thornton, Grundy.
Richmond: Tambling 2, Collins 2, Graham 2, Richardson, Oakley-Nicholls, Nahas, Coughlan, Riewoldt.
BEST
Sydney Swans: Roberts-Thomson, Kirk, Richards, Shaw, J. Bolton, Meredith.
Richmond: Jackson, Tambling, White, Graham, Bowden
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: TBC
Richmond: TBC
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Grun, Findlay, McInerney
Official crowd: 25,410 at the SCG
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL.
