SYDNEY SWANS 2.1 4.3 7.6 9.11 (65)
RICHMOND 5.3 6.4 8.5 10.8 (68)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Reid 2, Goodes, McVeigh, Towers, Rohan, Parker, Tippett, Hannebery
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Deledio 3, Miles, Gordon, Martin
BEST
Sydney Swans: Hannebery, Mitchell, Malceski, Parker, Jack
Richmond: Deledio, Ellis, Cotchin, Maric, Chaplin, Miles, Riewoldt
What happened
A remarkable start from Richmond saw them race out of the blocks, scoring the first five goals to enjoy a lead as big as 33 points midway through the first quarter. Jack Riewoldt was particularly impressive, slotting three goals as the Tigers looked to cement a place in the finals for a second successive year. A shell-shocked Swans side finally got going as the first term drew to a close with Jarrad McVeigh and Kurt Tippett kicking two vital goals to ensure the Richmond lead was cut to 20 points at the first change.
The second term was typified by high pressure and hard tackling as both sides found it hard to create efforts on goal. Two goals to one over the quarter saw Sydney move closer to Richmond at the main break as they found themselves down by just 13 points.
Gary Rohan got the Swans right back in it barely a minute into the third term but Brett Deledio showed all his class to steady the visitor's ship five minutes later. However, Sydney wouldn't go away as their on-ball pressure lifted to new heights, with the only thing missing from their game something to show for it on the scoreboard. They finally broke through with six minutes left in the quarter, Sam Reid wobbling one home from outside fifty to bring the Swans to within five points. The signs were ominous for the Tigers and when Adam Goodes kicked true from a tight angle, they found themselves behind for the first time in the contest. Richmond needed an immediate response and they found it through Deledio, who took full advantage of a down-the-field free kick to give the Tigers an unlikely lead at the final break.
The Richmond players knew they couldn't afford to leave anything left in the tank in the last quarter, and they started brightly when Riewoldt kicked his fourth. Channeling the energy they showed in the first quarter, the Tigers began to re-assert their dominance on the game. But, much like the Swans in the third term, they simply couldn't convert their chances and were made to pay when Dan Hannebery bridged the gap to one goal once more. The momentum in the see-sawing contest started to swing back in Sydney's favor as the home fans found their voice once more. Richmond simply wouldn't lie down though and caught the Swans on the rebound through Dustin Martin with his goal sending the traveling supporters into deliriun. Reid quickly replied to set up a grandstand finish, but somehow Richmond held on at the death to book their place in September in what was their ninth win in a row.
Fallout
Richmond are in the finals. Need we say more?
Hope they're in my fantasy team
Ivan Maric was absolutely massive in the ruck against Sydney debutant Sam Naismith, finishing the game with 45 hitouts and 17 disposals. Brett Deledio, Brandon Ellis and Trent Cotchin were also critical in Richmond's success.
Dan Hannebery (33 disposals) and Tom Mitchell (30 disposals) were the standout men for the Swans.
What's next
The Swans will now look ahead to a home qualifying final against either the Dockers or the Cats while the Tigers will travel to Adelaide to take on the Power.