Adem Yze's Richmond Tigers have recorded their third victory of the season doing enough to eke out a 12.12 (84) to 9.19 (73) victory over the West Coast Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
The Eagles were the superior side around the ground, winning clearance and tackle counts, amounting in territory domination to the tune of 52 inside 50s to 45 - a count salvaged by the Tiger's strong final term.
McQualter's men were beaten by their own shots on goal, registering an abysmal 19 behinds, and many more out on the full, in the afternoon.
Having led at every change, the Tigers kicked the first two of the final frame to really test the Eagles' resolve, and the travelling side mounted a challenge of sorts, but the task was ultimately too tall for the fledgling side.
From there, the script was flipped, with the Tigers kicking 1.6 to the Eagles' 4.1 after skipper Toby Nankervis' major, four minutes into the last.
Harley Reid and Marcus Herbert were prolific, disposing of the Sherrin a combined 68 times, but Reid's 0.3 was indicative of his side's day. Former All-Australian spearhead Jake Waterman saw his case of the yips worsen further, notching 2.6 for the day, with many of those behinds coming from traditionally kickable positions inside the forward 50.
In picture-perfect conditions at an MCG bathed in afternoon sunshine, the yips were not exclusive to the Eagles, with dual premiership winner Tom Lynch (2.3) the Tigers' most serial offender.
Neither team had won a match since May, and at times, showed that they'd forgotten how to win, such was their lack of polish in front of the sticks.
Tim Taranto managed 32 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal, while Sam Lalor showed further glimpses of the match-winner he promises to become, with three goals (including the sealer) and seven score involvements from his 13 disposals.
SAM LALOR SEALS IT FOR RICHMOND 🐯#AFLTigersEagles pic.twitter.com/cUwgR8lWnP
— AFL (@AFL) August 2, 2026
Lalor was not the only cub whose name was on the commentators lips, with Sam Grlj and Patrick Retschko playing starring cameos, building their confidence in young careers.
"It's been a while since we've had a win... I'm super proud of the boys," Lalor said, post-match.
"It's great. We're finally playing a few games together as a young group," he continued.
"They're great young men, and they're going to be stars of the future," skipper Toby Nankervis said of his young charges.
"My body feels really good. I'm going to hang on for as long as I can with these boys. I love rocking up to the club every day, I've got the best job in the world, so I'm going to play for as long as I can," he added.
