Richmond have their AFL season back on track, downing Essendon by 15 points in a gripping Dreamtime at the 'G clash.
The Tigers led by three points at the final break on Saturday night and held the Bombers goalless in the fourth quarter, with late majors to Jack Riewoldt and Toby Nankervis sealing an 11.15 (81) to 10.6 (66) victory.
Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin reigned supreme in the midfield, while Brandon Ellis (30 touches) was influential down back in front of 85,656 fans at the MCG.
Martin (30 disposals, seven tackles and a goal) received the Yiooken Award for best on ground, becoming the first player in the Dreamtime game's 13-year history to win the honour twice.
The off-contract gun also won the award during the Tigers' 38-point victory in last year's fixture.
The much-needed victory breaks a four-game losing streak for Damien Hardwick's men and cements their spot in the top eight.
It couldn't have come as more of a relief for Hardwick after heartbreakingly narrow losses to Greater Western Sydney, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs in recent weeks.
"I thought tonight it was good reward for our players but also for our fans, who have been through a tough stint as well," he said.
"We know our best is good enough. We play a good brand of footy that I think is going to trouble a lot of sides and we're confident with what we're putting out on the park."
Essendon came surging out of the gates with Brendon Goddard racking up 13 first-quarter disposals and two goals to put the Bombers ahead.
But the Bombers were wasteful with the ball and too often provided easy opportunities for the Tigers to rebound.
Richmond dominated the second quarter before a controversial umpiring call helped the Bombers snatch back the lead.
With minutes remaining before halftime, Jayden Short guided James Stewart's long bomb over the Essendon goalline, only to be pinged for a deliberate rushed behind.
Replays showed Short was hard done by, with Bombers forward Josh Green - who slotted the resulting free kick - chasing him all the way into the goal square.
The Tigers needed a spark and, once again, it was Martin who provided it - in a dominant third quarter, he had 11 of his 30 disposals, booted a goal and set up two others.
Essendon remained in the hunt but wasted a golden late opportunity to cut the deficit when Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti sprayed his shot directly in front of goal.
"Basically, it was the same pattern we've seen a fair bit this year ... we conceded too many inside-50s through our turnovers," Essendon coach John Worsfold said.
"The number of turnovers tonight was more (than) even in our poorer games this year, and that's costly."
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