It was one of the most anticipated games of the season, and it certainly didn't disappoint as Richmond surged past a gallant Collingwood by 43 points at the MCG in front of 72,157 supporters.
While the margin would suggest a comfortable win, it was simply a case of who had more gas in the tank in the end, with Richmond blazing away with an eight-goal final term.
Trent Cotchin (29 disposals) put together a sublime captain's performance for the Tigers, while Josh Caddy booted a game-high four goals after returning from injury.
For the black-and-white, Collingwood's Adam Treloar was phenomenal for the with a final 42 touches.
With both the Pies and Tigers adopting vastly different styles of football - with Collingwood utilising short kicks and rapid handballs - the speed and intensity was nonetheless at insanely high levels.
While speed was evident, accuracy was not, with a flurry of behinds kicking off the Sunday afternoon blockbuster.
Jayden Short remedied the wasteful start with the maiden goal of the day at the 13-minute mark, before Scott Pendlebury in his dependable manner put the pressure back on the Tigers following a crunching tackle and goal.
Although Mason Cox emphasised his continual improvement with an ominous presence up forward and subsequent goal, it was Jack Higgins led the on the score sheet at quarter-time.
After booting his first from the square, an ill-disciplined Lynden Dunn bump during the small forward's celebrations resulted in an immediate free kick, gifting Higgins his second to give his side an eight-point lead at quarter-time.
But moving into the second half, the Magpies' managed to hit the front after piecing together a solid three-goal term against the Tigers' one.
Although Jack Riewoldt put through his first of the day, it was the big American in Cox who was the most dangerous player up forward.
With the Tigers' defenders panicking at the 211cm forward's presence, Cox thrived with his second goal of the day, bringing the Magpies back to within seven points.
A big Jeremy Howe hangar added to his career highlights reel, as the defender thwarting numerous Richmond entries forward alongside Matthew Scharenberg and Dunn.
The Tigers nonetheless had their chances to convert after fluent passages of play were born in the centre of the ground, yet were left to rue their subsequent narrow misses.
Collingwood however pounced upon their chances through their dynamic ball movement through the centre of the ground, with a major to Will Hoskin-Elliott putting the Magpies one point shy of the reigning premiers.
A behind from a Jarryd Blair snap - brought to fruition from some sensational run along with wing from Brodie Grundy - levelled the scores, before a score review overturned a Josh Caddy major to put the Tigers back up by a point.
But as Hoskin-Elliott jagged his second on the siren, the Pies leapt back into the lead with a four-point advantage at the major change.
While Collingwood's flair remained going into the third term, the Magpies quickly found themselves two players down after James Aish Howe were injured in separate marking contests.
Although Howe returned to the field, Richmond capitalised on the temporary absence, booting four goals opposed to Collingwood's two.
Dan Butler got proceedings underway to restore the Tigers' lead, before Jack Riewoldt followed up with his second soon after to quell the Magpies early.
While Richmond looked poised to open the game right up through their blistering run and carry football, successive rushed behinds left the door ajar for the resilient Pies.
As Jordan de Goey put his stamp on the game with a brilliant set shot, Ben Reid followed up soon after with a boundary-line snap to bring about the seventh lead change of the game.
Even though Collingwood brought the pressure with their 21 tackles for the term, it wasn't quite enough to stem the flow of the Tigers, who still seemed to find space to continue their scoring.
Locked in their fierceness and determination around the ground, it was the Tigers who eventually broke free, with Caddy finally finding fortune in front of goal with back-to-back majors to take his side to an 11-point lead at the final change.
But despite the two-goal deficit, it proved to be too much for the Pies, who were rolled in the final term by an unrelenting Richmond.
Caddy continued his streak going into the final term off the back of a contentious 50m penalty, before Jason Castagna and Riewoldt stretched the margin to a game-high 29 points early in the piece.
A quick reply from Reid commenced the comeback, but the Tigers once again wrestled their way on top through the swift transitions out of defence.
Searching for their next goalscorer, Adam Treloar took up the challenge with a clean pick-up in the centre of the ground and massive bomb from outside 50 landing right in the middle of the Collingwood cheer squad.
Although Dustin Martin got one back for the Tigers just minutes later, a costly 50m penalty afforded Jaidyn Stephenson his opportunity to bring the margin back to an attainable 19 points.
Another goal would sink the Pies' valiant efforts, and it looked to certainly be the case as Riewoldt put through his fourth.
Yet another overturned decision against the Tigers kept Collingwood's hopes alive.
A tantalising close miss in the square prevented Tom Phillips from putting one through for the Pies, before Butler iced the game with back-to-back majors, with the final margin resting at 43 points.
Taking inspiration from their noble defeat, Collingwood will be hoping to put away the winless Brisbane with ease next Sunday, while Richmond will be back at the MCG to play Fremantle.
COLLINGWOOD 2.2 5.7 7.9 10.10 (70)
RICHMOND 3.4 4.9 8.14 16.17 (113)
GOALS
Collingwood: Hoskin-Elliott 2, Cox 2, Reid 2, de Goey, Pendlebury, Stephenson, Treloar
Richmond: Caddy 4, Riewoldt 3, Butler 3, Castagna 2, Higgins 2, Martin, Short
BEST
Collingwood: Treloar, Phillips, Howe, Scharenberg, Pendlebury, Sidebottom
Richmond: Cotchin. Caddy, Martin. Nankervis, Riewoldt
INJURIES
Collingwood: Aish (knee), Reid
Richmond: Nil
TALKING POINTS
1. KUDOS, COLLINGWOOD
A valiant effort if ever there was one, the Magpies no doubt put together a truly inspiring performance for all to see.
Collingwood challenged Richmond in every facet of the game, matching their speed, intensity and dare to go toe-to-toe with the reigning premiers for three quarters.
Although the final margin of 43 points served more as flattery to the Tigers, the black-and-white army - both on and off the field - should nonetheless hold their heads high for their commendable efforts on Sunday afternoon.
While the players absent from the current line-up have been harped about for weeks, there's no denying now how much influence these returning players will actually have.
With Taylor Adams, Daniel Wells and Darcy Moore just some of the stars set to return, it's almost a safe bet to say Collingwood are poised for to make their first finals appearance since 2013.
2. ALL ABOARD THE TIGER TRAIN
It's more like a hurtling freight train than a smooth and steady locomotive, but the Tiger Train is firing on all cylinders and continues to barrel toward their opposition with no sign of slowing down.
Ballooning the margin out to a hefty 43 points against a quality opposition, Richmond were able to outclass and outplay the Magpies with a blistering eight-goal final term.
It's not just a one-off, and it's a scary omen for the teams yet to face them.
Piling on massive final quarter bags against Carlton (six), Brisbane (five) and Melbourne (seven), the Tigers have shown the words "slowing down" do not appear their dictionary.
Full steam ahead.
3. RICHMOND'S MCG MIGHT
To those who thought the home ground advantage is a relic of the past, maybe reconsider.
The MCG is fast becoming a fortress for the Tigers, after the yellow-and-black recorded their 12th consecutive win at the home of football.
Knowing the ground as well as the back of their hands, Richmond have mastered the art of playing at the 'G, and it showed through their seamless ball movement in all areas of the ground.
With next week's clash against Fremantle once again on their home turf, the chances of a 13th consecutive win doesn't look too unlikely, given the former's well-documented lack of results in Melbourne.
4. GOAL REVIEWS RAISE A FEW EYEBROWS
Josh Caddy will be disappointed his stellar day couldn't be that little bit better with a career-high five-goal bag.
He should have had five, had it not been for an overly contentious score review which spoiled his chances of racking up that one more major to make things even more magical.
As Caddy's snap sailed through the goals, a desperate Lynden Dunn spoiled the ball with just millimetres to spare.
With the umpire's call a goal, the footage upon replay appeared to be inconclusive at best, meaning the original call should have been withheld.
So how the (overly lengthy) decision was completely overturned came as a bewilderment to fans, commentators and even players.
While one can argue within the laws of the game the entire ball must be over the line and goalposts - including attachments such as padding and flags - there was no way known there was enough conclusive evidence to reverse the decision.
It's a system which is there to ensure fairness, but one which on occasion does the opposite.
5. HOWE DOES HE DO IT?
Jeremy Howe must have springs for legs, because he always finds himself metres off the ground with his massive leaps week after week.
Sunday's clash against Richmond was no different for the high-flying defender, who soared above Richmond's Jason Castagna to take another Mark of the Year contender in defence; the entire crowd in awe at his aerial acrobatics.
Haters however, will say he didn't need to jump very high to get over Castagna...
Howe tried to do one better in the third term, yet his fly went awry as he found himself flat on the turf, with fans thinking he'd seriously injured himself.
Yet the stalwart defender was back up in no time, albeit grounded for the rest of the game.
Keep an eye out for another stunning grab next week.
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