RICHMOND has taken the criticism, the pressure and the scorn — and dumped it all on Fremantle's head.

The Tigers were rank outsiders before yesterday's match at Subiaco, but they smashed the Dockers by 64 points.

The 20.17 (137) to 10.13 (73) morale-booster was Richmond's first interstate win in two years and its first in Perth since 2001 — also the last time it made the finals.

Richmond had been a major disappointment since winning in round one and, four years into Terry Wallace's five-year coaching reign, the wolves are at least sniffing.

Yesterday was only one win and the Tigers must now quickly build on it, but their conquest of Fortress Subiaco could prove a pivotal moment.

By contrast, a week after the Dockers had regained some credibility by winning the western derby, they are again in the doldrums.

Led by four goals from the inspirational Matthew Richardson, whose unfamiliar role on a wing was an inspired move by Wallace, Richmond led at every change and made a mockery of its pre-match odds of $5.50.

And despite Fremantle not having travelled for three weeks, it was Mark Harvey's troops who wilted in the 30-degree temperatures, with Kane Johnson (36 possessions), Nathan Foley (seven scoring assists) and Jordan McMahon (32 possessions) all impressive for the Tigers.

Only Matthew Pavlich (three goals) and Luke McPharlin (two goals) posed any consistent threat to Richmond and Peter Bell's achievement of equalling Wayne Richardson's record as the West Australian with most games in the AFL/VFL was overshadowed by an alarming Fremantle fade out.

Wallace's immediate ploy of a six-man forward line and playing Richardson wide sufficiently confused the Dockers to allow Chris Newman to waltz to 50 metres and kick the first goal after 30 seconds.

After a week of scrutiny, Chris Tarrant's first action was positive, with a good mark and a safe finish — but it was followed by a big blow, his accidental collision with best friend Dean Solomon leaving the former Bomber out cold, and the Dockers a man down.

With Solomon off on a stretcher, Tarrant then left an unwanted mark on an opponent, with Kelvin Moore caught high, leading to a 50-metre penalty and likely scrutiny from the match review panel.

And in between Tarrant's highs and woes, Richmond dominated with Foley and Johnson leading the charge.

Fremantle's age-old inability to capitalise on Aaron Sandilands' ruck dominance was exposed by the Tigers, with their run through midfield leaving the Dockers for dead.

Despite more Tigers' misses, Foley's continued silver service allowed the Tigers to increase the lead to 28 points at the main break.

Fremantle got some good news with the return of Solomon after the break.

But with temperatures falling, the Tigers' dominance increased — Nathan Brown's increasing influence magnified in setting up Richard Tambling with a daring look-away handpass. With Ryan Crowley's goal reducing the three-quarter time margin to 40, Bell's early major gave some hope until Richardson's fourth confirmed the Tigers' first win in Perth since 2001.

AAP

RICHMOND  5.7 10.11 14.13 20.17 (137)
FREMANTLE  3.3 6.7 8.9 10.13 (73)

GOALS Richmond: Richardson 4, Hyde 3, Tambling 3, Morton 2, Brown 2, Newman, Polak, McMahon, Deledio, Edwards, Tuck. Fremantle: Pavlich 3, McPharlin 2, Tarrant, Mayne, Farmer, Crowley, Bell.

BEST Richmond: Richardson, Foley, Johnson, McMahon, Simmonds, Polak. Fremantle: McPharlin, Pavlich, Bell, Gilmore.

UMPIRES Fila, Ellis, Keating.

CROWD 37,541 at Subiaco Oval, Perth.

THE UPSHOT Richmond is now 2-2 and the pressure has been eased on Terry Wallace. Life is much harder at Fremantle, though. It is 1-3 and its only win was over West Coast, which also is battling. And, Fremantle has lost successive home games.

TALKING POINT Where to now for Fremantle? Many people expected it to make the eight. Shaun McManus, Matthew Carr and Heath Black were overlooked for the game and too many big names are out of form.

HOT AND COLD Richmond spearhead Matthew Richardson, below, is known for his work-rate so Wallace started him on the wing and let him run. Richo had 25 touches, took 15 marks and kicked four goals. Rhys Palmer attracted rave reviews and a Rising Star nomination in the western derby, but had a shocker.