Fremantle went down to a gritty Richmond by 38-points in horrendous, stormy conditions at Domain Stadium on Saturday night
The Tigers handled the 30-40 km/h winds and intermittent rain to win 11.17 (83) to 6.9 (45).
20,184 hardy fans braved the terrible conditions despite a season-high 43,943 tickets being sold for the game.
Fremantle defender Alex Pearce was carried off in the last quarter, with coach Ross Lyon later confirming that Pearce had suffered a broken leg.
Lachie Neale fought hard for the Freo Dockers to collect 37 touches, included 18 contested. Youngster Connor Blakely played one of his best games in his short career with 22 disposals and six tackles. Hayden Ballantyne kicked three of the Freo Dockers' six goals including one that defied physics.
Talking points after Richmond loss
But Fremantle did not have enough focal points up forward. It was a difficult night to mark the ball but the Tigers took 10 marks inside 50 to four and produced 28 scoring shots to 15 from the same number of inside 50 entries.
Richmond led at quarter-time by eight points after winning the clearance battle by two in the opening term. The Tigers then locked the ball in their front half in the second term to kick four goals to one to open up a 23-point half-time lead. The Freo Dockers could not get the football out of their defence.
There was some controversy at the start of the second term. Fremantle defender Lee Spurr was penalised for a deliberate rushed behind by umpire Ray Chamberlain. Spurr soccered the ball through his defensive goal from 15m out with Tiger Ben Griffiths giving chase only two metres behind. But Spurr was deemed not to be under sufficient pressure and Griffiths kicked a goal from the goalsquare with the resultant free kick.
The Freo Dockers dominated the third term, kicking three goals from 11 entries. The Tigers kicked three goals from five inside 50s into the wind.
MEDICAL ROOM
Fremantle: Alex Pearce broke his leg in the last quarter. Clancee Pearce was groggy after a head clash in the last quarter. Zac Clarke twisted his left knee in the first quarter and had to come from the ground to be re-strapped. He returned to play out the game.
Richmond: Steven Morris appeared to be concussed in a head clash with Clancee Pearce late in the last quarter.
NEXT UP
Fremantle heads to Etihad Stadium to take on St Kilda next Saturday afternoon. The Tigers face Essendon on Saturday night for Dreamtime at the 'G
FREMANTLE 1.1 2.3 5.7 6.9 (45)
RICHMOND 2.3 6.10 9.10 11.17 (83)
GOALS
Fremantle: Ballantyne 3, Taberner, Langdon, Walters
Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Miles 2, Edwards 2, Grigg, Griffiths, Morris, Lloyd, Menadue
BEST
Fremantle: Neale, D Pearce, Blakely, Ballantyne, Suban, Mundy
Richmond: Cotchin, Martin, Grigg, Deledio, Edwards, B Ellis
INJURIES
Fremantle: A Pearce (leg)
Richmond: Morris (concussion)
Reports: Fremantle's Zac Dawson for striking Steven Morris in the third term
Umpires: Chamberlain, Fisher, Donlon
Official crowd: 20,184 at Domain Stadium
