Reigning AFL premiers Richmond are one game short of the record MCG winning streak after a pulsating 18-point win over Geelong.
Dustin Martin impressed in the second half after his week off with a calf injury and the Tigers’ 12.11 (83) to 9.11 (65) win on Sunday put them back on top of the ladder for the first time since round eight.
Richmond kicked four goals to one in the last term to seal the win after leading by a point at three-quarter time.
Tigers onballer Shane Edwards was best afield, just shading Nick Vlastuin, while captain Joel Selwood led the Cats superbly and kicked two goals.
Melbourne hold the MCG winning streak of 17, set during the 1950s.
It was a cracking contest that lived up to expectations, despite the windy and sodden conditions.
Only 46,423 fans attended on a bitterly-cold June afternoon – normally, it would be around 80,000.
The game featured five Brownlow Medallists, two to Gary Ablett, plus Geelong teammate Patrick Dangerfield and Tigers pair Martin and Trent Cotchin.
Several controversial incidents will attract plenty of post-game review.
The AFL twitter account posted video of an incident early in the third term, where Richmond star Alex Rance was putting pressure on Dangerfield.
At one point, Rance’s hand went low on Dangerfield’s midriff as the Cats star appealed for a free.
Amid plenty of talk about milking free kicks, Dangerfield is in the spotlight for an incident on the outer wing late in the third quarter in a one-on-one contest with Martin.
The free kick to the Cats star looked generous.
While he starred, Vlaustuin appeared to be booked for his clumsy open-handed coat hanger that caught Selwood high during the third term.
Selwood was awarded a 50m penalty and kicked a booming 50m goal.
The Cats captain was unaffected by the contact and Vlastuin will most likely escape suspension.
After the Tigers opened with five behinds, the Cats threatened to take control and had a 15-point lead at quarter time.
The swirling wind was a major factor in the first half, with eight of 10 goals kicked at the city end.
Geelong started Dangerfield forward and Martin lined up on Albett at the centre bounces, with the Cats’ little master in charge early.
Richmond ramped up their renowned pressure in the second term and kicked four goals to one to lead by two points at the main break.
They extended that to 14 points in the third term and it felt like 40, before Geelong kicked the last two goals of the quarter.
Ablett was probably best afield at half time, but had less influence in the second half
Tigers small forward Daniel Rioli made a successful return from the broken foot he suffered in last year’s grand final, kicking a crucial goal in the last quarter and laying eight tackles.
The Cats made yet another late change, with Wylie Buzza left out for James Parsons because of the wet conditions.