Tigers defence comes to the fore

Richmond's Nick Vlastuin manages to keep the ball in play. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

RICHMOND took another step towards maturing into a September-quality side, matching its defensive mechanisms with the robotic Fremantle and showing dramatic improvement to its timid tackling.

The Tigers were blasted for gloving Collingwood just 33 times last week, but slung Dockers into the turf 71 times in a fierce display to grasp the lead until Hayden Ballantyne's match-winner at the death.

Live HQ: Fremantle v Richmond

Part of the solution was found in Nick Vlastuin, who dished out plenty of hurt in his debut at the House of Pain.

The No. 9 pick, who the Tigers identified as their wanted man months before last year's draft, laid three tackles in the first term to make an instant impact.

The ferocious half-back, who averaged 6.3 tackles last year and was renowned for his hard edge, was also pivotal off the ball.

The Vic Metro captain opened his AFL career with a goal-saving spoil against Michael Barlow, while the two consecutive smothers that led to Chris Knights' third goal would have pleased coach Damien Hardwick.

Vlastuin finished on Stephen Hill, while antagonist Daniel Jackson racked up eight tackles.

And it was the Tigers' second-stringers that led their gallant display, with Trent Cotchin struggling to shake off an ankle injury and Brett Deledio blanketed by Ryan Crowley.

The Dockers tagger, who restricted Deledio to only six disposals from 62 minutes last year, kept him to 20 and little influence last night.

Alex Rance marshalled the defence with a dominant effort against Chris Mayne, while Dylan Grimes (Jack Hannath) and Jake Batchelor (Kepler Bradley early) all won their duels.

Knights enjoyed a breakout first three quarters, booting a trio of goals, but Jack Riewoldt (one goal) and Ivan Maric (53 per cent disposal efficiency) were all down on their blistering starts to the year.

The last-gasp loss sets up a crunch clash for Richmond next week against the undefeated Geelong.

Another defeat would consign the Tigers to a 3-3 start, undoing their early jump on the competition.

Richmond became the first side to travel to Perth and lose this season, unable to match the heroics of Hawthorn, Carlton and Essendon.

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