Toby Greene has featured at his creative best as Greater Western Sydney surged back into the AFL top eight with a 24-point win over lowly Richmond.
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Greene made the most of a rare trip to the MCG with an equal game-high four goals in the Giants' 17.6 (108) to 12.12 (84) victory on Sunday.
The All-Australian captain also had 10 score involvements and directly assisted four goals.
Tom Green (37 touches) and Lachie Whitfield (34) were also influential in a hard-fought victory, while Coleman Medal contender Jesse Hogan matched Greene with four goals.
But there is some concern over Stephen Coniglio, who was substituted out of his third game back from a shoulder injury with soreness in the joint.
It was the Giants' first visit to the MCG this season and first win over Richmond at the grand final venue from eight attempts.
The result lifted Adam Kingsley's side back into the top eight with a 10-7 record, just one win off second spot.
Richmond (2-15) remain anchored to the foot of the ladder after a fourth-straight defeat, and lost Tim Taranto to a head knock late in the game as the result of a tackle from tagger Toby Bedford.
Taranto (27 disposals, six clearances) was among the Tigers' best, as were fellow former Giants midfielder Jacob Hopper (28, five) and returning veteran Dion Prestia (27, four).
Third-gamer Steely Green kicked three goals for the home side, with Jacob Koschitzke, Shai Bolton and Rhyan Mansell adding two each.
Richmond's contest and clearance work kept them in the contest early, with the Giants holding a narrow 4.3 to 3.4 lead at quarter-time.
Greene was involved in a second-quarter flashpoint when he marked in front of Nathan Broad and gave away a free kick when he shoved his opponent in the face while attempting to shrug him off.
The Giants skipper kicked the game's next goal moments later, after he pinned Taranto holding the ball against the run of play.
The visitors' superior efficiency in attack was telling as they led 9.4 to 6.7 at the main break despite trailing in a one-sided inside-50 count (18-29).
Richmond got within eight points before Greene and Hogan both snapped goals - the latter a brilliant effort as the key forward stepped past two defenders to create space.
The quick majors gave GWS breathing space and they ground out the victory despite a brief scare when the Tigers kicked three consecutive goals during the final term.
The crowd of 19,040 was the lowest for a Richmond game at the MCG - outside of pandemic restrictions - since 2004.
Australian Associated Press
