Richmond produced their most complete performance of the season to post an upset 41-point triumph over West Coast in Monday night’s AFL clash at Patersons Stadium.

The Tigers trailed by six points at quarter-time, but piled on the next nine goals on the back of an inspired midfield blitz to set up the 16.7 (103) to 8.14 (62) victory in front of 37,781 shellshocked fans.

Richmond haven’t featured in the finals since reaching the 2001 preliminary final.

But at 6-4 heading into their bye, the Tigers are well placed to break that drought, and perhaps inflict some major damage in September.

In contrast, ninth-placed West Coast (5-5) now face a fight to make the top-eight, let alone achieve their initial goal of a top-four berth.

Over the past two years, the Eagles transformed their home ground of Patersons Stadium into a fortress.

But with just two wins from six games in Perth this year, rival teams no longer fear the trek west.

Richmond’s confidence grew as the match wore on, but it was their superior attack on the ball and willingness to run for their teammates that proved the difference.

West Coast looked slick in last round’s 100-point mauling of GWS.

But with their intent clearly lacking against the Tigers, and their skills off the boil, they were put to the sword by the Tigers.

Richmond looked dangerous every time they went forward.

Although they had one less inside-50m entry at three-quarter time, they still led by 50 points.

The Tigers looked to be in trouble early when West Coast forward Josh Kennedy easily shook off Alex Rance to kick two first-quarter goals.

It seemed just a matter of time before the floodgates opened for the home side.

But Richmond’s ability to score vital goals on the counter halted West Coast’s momentum.

And when the Tigers’ midfield got on top during the second term, there was no stopping the yellow and black.

Although the regular names of Chris Newman, Brett Deledio and Trent Cotchin stood tall, it was the work of first-year midfielder Nick Vlastuin that would have warmed the hearts of Richmond fans the most.

His first goal was particularly special, with the 19-year-old taking the ball out of the middle, exchanging a handball with a teammate, before finishing off the piece of play with a running 40m goal.

Vlastuin finished with two goals for the quarter and three for the match, while Richmond’s defensive trio of Rance, Troy Chaplin, Steve Morris and Jake Batchelor were influential in containing the likes of Kennedy, Jack Darling and Mark LeCras.

Both Tigers speedster Shane Edwards and Eagles defender Mitch Brown were subbed off in the third quarter after copping pokes to the eye in separate incidents.