Fremantle has beaten Richmond by 20 points at the MCG.

The Tigers bettered the pressure kings in tackles and contested possessions, but decision making under duress proved the difference as the Dockers won 16.9 (105) to 12.13 (85).

Richmond staged an impressive late comeback to get within 14 points with a tick under six minutes remaining, but the mountain proved too high in front of the crowd of 22,074.

Hayden Ballantyne booted six goals, matching his career-best haul, while Nat Fyfe tallied a game-high 32 disposals.

Richmond battled hard to grab the lead late in the second term, only to hand it back before half-time when Ballantyne kicked two goals in a minute.

Matthew Pavlich then dobbed consecutive goals after the major break, including a remarkable effort when he plucked the ball on the wing, sprinted past the 50m arc and kicked truly.

When Ballantyne slotted his fourth goal late in the third term, the Dockers had a 39-point lead and made it seven goals on the trot.

Jack Riewoldt was again an enigma, marking and leading well but potting one goal from seven attempts.

Riewoldt hobbled from the field late in the second quarter, but returned and played out the game.

Richmond gifted their opposition far too many demoralising goals, with the most notable being Martin's attempt to rush a behind in the second term.

Martin handballed over 15 metres through the goals, the umpires deemed the midfielder wasn't under pressure and rewarded Danyle Pearce with a free-kick in front of the posts.

Dockers giant Aaron Sandilands dominated the ruck contests with 45 hitouts.

RICHMOND      1.3   5.9    7.11   12.13 (85)
FREMANTLE    3.1   7.5   13.8.   16.9  (105)

GOALS
Richmond: Deledio 2, Petterd 2, Maric, Riewoldt, Miles, Batchelor, Foley, Ellis, Newman, Martin
Fremantle: Ballantyne 6, Pavlich 3, Barlow 2, Spurr, Mundy, Pearce, Clarke, Fyfe

BEST
Richmond: Miles, Ellis, Rance, Petterd, Martin, Chaplin
Fremantle: Ballantyne, Fyfe, Mundy, Hill, Barlow, Crowley, Pavlich

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Ben Lennon replaced Dylan Grimes in the third quarter
Fremantle: Colin Sylvia replaced Danyle Pearce in the third quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Fisher, Kamolins, Findlay

Official crowd: 22,074 at the MCG