West Coast has extended their winning streak to eight while also consolidating top position on the ladder with a comprehensive 47-point win over Richmond at Optus Stadium.
Jack Darling continued his scintillating start to the season with six goals, while Elliot Yeo came back from a knee injury early to have a big influence with 29 disposals.
Hyped up as the match of the season so far, it was a blistering start at the new Perth Stadium as a free kick in the centre to Trent Cotchin would see him set up a strong mark to Josh Caddy within the first 30 seconds.
It wouldn’t take long for the Eagles to hit their straps however, as Jamie Cripps got them on the board before a class finish by Willie Rioli and a strong mark and goal by Josh Kennedy gave them a crucial early break.
Richmond simply could not get through the Eagles' web early, as the determined West Coast outfit pounced on the overwhelmed Tigers.
Goals to Andrew Gaff and Darling would extend the lead beyond five goals late in the term, with the situation seemingly going from bad to worse for the reigning premiers.
A long goal by youngster Jayden Short would settle the nerves of Richmond going into quarter-time, before a late goal to the dominant Darling would see the Eagles hold a comfortable 22-point lead at the first change.
After a poor first term, the Tigers were determined as ever to begin the second in ideal fashion as Shane Edwards put through the first of the quarter just 49 seconds in.
With the Tigers getting their pressure game going, it was as if they changed jumpers at quarter-time, as it was the Eagles who looked overwhelmed from Richmond’s elite pressure.
Despite their dominance around the ground, Richmond couldn’t quite capitalise on the scoreboard until Jack Riewoldt finally put through a much-needed goal to bring the Tigers right back into the contest.
A clever mark by Jack Redden gave the Eagles a crucial goal against the run of play to extend the margin above 10 points.
But the pressure of the Tigers was still clearly evident, as they managed to lock the ball in their attacking half.
Inaccuracy would against cost Richmond as Cotchin missed an easy opportunity to put his side back within single digits, yet with just minutes remaining, the reigning premiers were able to finally get things together in front of the sticks as Riewoldt and Jason Castagna levelled the scores going into the main break.
With the game set up perfectly, it would be the class of Yeo which broke the game open, with the returning star having a profound effect all over the ground.
Darling continued his strong marking form at the beginning of the third term, taking a crucial grab and converting to give the Eagles the lead.
The major would see the class of the Eagles come to life, as a double by Kennedy would see the margin quickly blow out to 20 points.
Richmond looked a shadow of their former selves at Optus Stadium, as they could not stop the run and ball movement of the rising contenders.
A classic intercept mark and converted 50 metre penalty by Jeremy McGovern would see the margin approach five goals as the Eagles threatened to blow away the premiership favourites.
Quick goals by Mark LeCras and Yeo would just about ice the game for West Coast late in the third, before goals to Riewoldt and Short right on three-quarter time kept the Tigers in the hunt, albeit trailing by 27-points at the final change.
Renowned for their final quarters this season, a tight last quarter was expected as the home crowd hoped their beloved Eagles could hold on for a season-defining win.
The Eagles got things underway in the last as a Yeo clearance from the first bounce resulted in a strong mark and goal for the in-form Darling.
Determined not to let their lead perish, West Coast were relentless in the last as goals to Cripps and Redden put the result beyond doubt just five minutes into the term.
Out for blood, the Eagles gave the reigning premiers absolutely nothing as Darling was able to again mark inside 50 and goal for another five-goal haul, before added another to his tally with a just minutes later to the delight of the West Coast faithful.
As the margin extended beyond 50 points, the proud Tigers looked noncompetitive in the west, as they struggled to bet clean possession.
Late consolation goals to Bachar Houli and a fifth for Riewoldt would see the Tigers avoid absolute embarrassment, before LeCras would put the cherry on top of a fantastic day for the locals as the margin extended out to 47 points as the final siren sounded.
West Coast will look to get over their past shortcomings in Melbourne as they face Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, while Richmond will look to bounce back from their second loss of the season as they face the struggling St Kilda in front of the Tiger faithful at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
WEST COAST 6.1 7.2 14.6 20.10 (130)
RICHMOND 2.3 6.8 9.8 12.11 (83)
GOALS
West Coast: Darling 6, Kennedy 3, LeCras 3, Cripps 2, Redden 2, Rioli, Gaff, McGovern, Yeo
Richmond: Riewoldt 5, Short 2, Caddy, Grigg, Castagna, Conca, Houli
BEST
West Coast: Darling, Yeo, Redden, Kennedy, McGovern, Gaff
Richmond: Riewoldt, Nankervis, Martin, Caddy, Short, Houli
INJURIES
West Coast: Yeo (right knee)
Richmond: Nil
TALKING POINTS
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