Richmond has emphatically reclaimed a top-four spot, overcoming a slow start on Sunday to out-muscle a disappointing GIANTS by 19 points in dismal conditions at the MCG on Sunday.

The GIANTS opened Sunday's clash in sparkling form, dominating the first quarter to lead by 20 points at the opening break.

But when steady rain began to fall at the start of the second term – it became torrential at patches in the second half – the contest was turned on its head.

With Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin leading the way, the Tigers wrested control of the midfield battle, kicking six consecutive goals in less than a quarter and a half to set up their 9.10 (64) to 6.9 (45) victory.

Martin (31 disposals, 11 clearances and one goal) and Cotchin (27 disposals and seven tackles) were outstanding for Richmond, while Nick Vlastuin (21 disposals, 11 marks and eight rebound 50s) and Brandon Ellis (23 disposals and six rebound 50s) were creative playmakers from half-back and Alex Rance was impassable deep in defence.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick was pleased with his team's ability to turn the game around, saying his leaders had led the fightback. 

"It was certainly not a game we'll go and get back out of the archives, but from an intensity and effort [point of view] I thought it was terrific," Hardwick said. 

"The first quarter we looked a little bit off the pace, they probably didn't capitalise as much as they should have, but I thought the second and third quarters we really controlled proceedings. 

"I was really impressed with Trent and Dustin and Alex and Jack. Those guys responded really well in the second quarter. which got us going."

As impressive as Richmond's revival was, the GIANTS’ fadeout after quarter-time was concerning.

After kicking the game's opening three goals, they were held scoreless from the 22-minute mark of the first quarter until the 17-minute mark of the third term, when Nick Haynes finally broke their drought.

The GIANTS scored two goals in the final term to Richmond's one to reduce the Tigers' 26-point three-quarter time lead, but never seriously threatened to snatch the game.

The GIANTS’ loss could be further soured, too, with star forward Toby Greene reported for a first-quarter jumper punch that appeared to catch Rance on the chin. Midfielder Dylan Shiel also left the ground late in the game nursing his right arm and took no further part in the game.

GIANTS coach Leon Cameron said his team's fadeout had little to do with Melbourne's fickle weather, attributing it to largely to the players' mindset. 

"You've got to adapt to all conditions. Our last quarter was probably the wettest for the game and we actually knuckled down in the last quarter, so it was a mindset thing in the second and the third," he said. 

"The first and last (quarters) were fine, it didn't matter if it was raining or sunny or windy. We found a way then, but the second and third were really ordinary. 

"We've got to find our mojo because clearly it's only spasmodically coming out for patches of the game. 

"But Richmond's ability to tackle us really well in the second and third quarters stifled our ball movement and we didn't adapt."

Richmond's win was its 11th for the season and helped the Tigers climb to fourth on the ladder, level with the third-placed GIANTS (10 wins and two draws) on 44 premiership points and just five percentage points behind.

The GIANTS have won just one of their past six games – but have had two draws – and, in a season where they have admittedly been hard hit by injury, need to rediscover their best form if they want to have a serious impact in the finals.

Callan Ward (a game-high 37 possessions) never stopped trying to hold off the Richmond tide in the second half despite a lack of support from his teammates.

Ward's co-captain Phil Davis took the points against Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt (two goals) – although Sunday's conditions favoured him – while Dylan Shiel (22 disposals and nine clearances) and half-backs Nathan Wilson (22 possessions and seven inside 50s) and Zac Williams (28 possessions) were the GIANTS’ next best.

It was the GIANTS’ first game at the MCG since round one last season, when they lost to Melbourne by two points, and the expansion team has won just one of 11 games at the home of the Grand Final (against Melbourne, in round 21, 2014).

MEDICAL ROOM

Richmond: Dan Butler copped a knee in his right forearm late in first quarter, but after a short stint on the bench played out the rest of the match without any apparent restriction.

GIANTS: Lachie Whitfield copped an accidental knee in the left hip in a marking contest with Trent Cotchin early in the second term that forced him from the ground. Whitfield appeared very sore but was quickly back on the ground. Dylan Shiel also limped off in the opening minutes of the second quarter and appeared to be favouring his right knee. After a brief stint on an exercise bike near the interchange bench, the midfielder returned, but he appeared to be more seriously injured late in the match when he left the ground nursing his right arm.

NEXT UP
Richmond plays Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium next Saturday night in just the teams' second clash at the Gold Coast venue. The Suns won the first clash, in round one, 2014, by 18 points. The GIANTS host Fremantle at Spotless Stadium next Saturday.

RICHMOND    0.2   4.6   8.8   9.10  (64)
GIANTS          3.4   3.5   4.5   6.9    (45)

GOALS

Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Martin, McIntosh, Lambert, Castagna, Rioli, Caddy, Nankervis 
GIANTS: Haynes, Patton, Greene, Whitfield, Kelly, Ward

BEST 

Richmond: Martin, Cotchin, Vlastuin, B.Ellis, Rance, Lambert
GIANTS: Ward, Davis, Shiel, Wilson, Williams

INJURIES 

Richmond: Nil
GIANTS: Shiel (right arm)

Reports: Toby Greene (GIANTS) reported for striking Alex Rance in the first quarter  

Umpires: Rosebury, Mitchell, Mollison

Official crowd: 33,467 at the MCG