Richmond has claimed back to back wins for the first time in more than two years after demolishing a hapless West Coast by 49 points on Saturday night.

The Eagles had been favourites to secure a second win heading into the Optus Stadium clash, but they were blown away by Richmond’s third quarter blitz to finish 16.9 (105) to 8.8 (56) losers.

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MATCH CENTRE: Eagles v Tigers scores, stats and more

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In a match dubbed the “battle of the rebuilds”, it was Richmond who were a class above – inspired by the early “Superman” acts of Maurice Rioli Jnr.

Eagle Harley Reid was best on ground in the first half, but Tiger Jack Ross put the clamps on him in the third – leaving West Coast coach Andrew McQualter to go directly to his young star at three quarter time.

Alarmingly, it’s now the 10th time this season that the Eagles have coughed up triple figures – continuing their run as the 18th ranked defensive outfit in the AFL.

The only sour note for the Tigers was a concussion to Seth Campbell in a bout of friendly fire.

THE 3-2-1…

3. ‘BACK TO THEIR PREMIERSHIP YEAR’ IN BRUTAL BLITZ

It was dubbed the battle of the rebuilds, but clearly Richmond are a class above judging by Saturday night’s performance.

The Tigers were inspired by two “Superman” acts from star Maurice Rioli Jnr in the first half, before a third quarter blitz really broke the match open at Optus Stadium.

Fox Footy’s Matthew Pavlich said the visitors were “back to their premiership year best” when they nailed 6.2 (38) from turnover for the third quarter alone.

West Coast simply couldn’t “lay a glove” on the Tigers as they streaked out of their defensive half with ease.

“They’ve been brilliant with their ball movement,” Pavlich praised.

“West Coast can’t get defensive side and also can’t protect the corridor so it’s coming through with multiple options,” Nick Dal Santo added.

Stats showed that midway through the third term, West Coast had conceded seven goals from their defensive half.

“This is a side, they weren’t going to win a game this year and they’ll win a fifth game,” Will Schofield said of Richmond.

“Richmond when they go from their back half look unbelievable. West Coast cannot keep up – they are so quick.

“They basically win the footy back and they’re gone.”

Speaking from the boundary, the premiership Eagle said West Coast coach Andrew McQualter was “steaming” when he made his way down to the bench in the third term.

“They blitzed them. They absolutely took them to town,” Pavlich said of the Tigers.

Crucial to the win was the shutdown role Jack Ross played on Harley Reid after half time.

The prized Eagle had been the number one ranked player on the ground with 20 touches at half time before the Ross “backpack” was applied.

Reid could only manage four third quarter disposals at a time when the Tigers put on a clinic.

2. ‘SUPERMAN’ ACTS SPARK TIGERS

Take a bow, Maurice Rioli Jnr.

West Cast had all the momentum in the first term before Rioli nailed a brilliant chase down diving tackle on Brady Hough after running at least 100m to get to him.

The resulting turnover landed Tim Taranto a goal – but Rioli wasn’t done there.

Again with West Coast building, Rioli opted for the full-body dive across Eagle Harry Edwards’ boot to effect the smother.

He then regathered the footy and dished off to skipper Toby Nankervis in the square to land another body blow on the Eagles.

And from there, West Coast were never in the hunt.

“We’ve had the chase down of the year; perhaps we’ve had the smother too,” Adam Papalia said.

“This is what forward 50 pressure looks like.

“The composure to lay it off to a teammate … absolutely outstanding.”

“He is absolute Superman tonight,” Nick Dal Santo added.

“We saw him dive for that chase, dive for the smother. We speak about moments… You chase no matter what and you dive on boots no matter what.”

“That chase from Roli was unbelievable,” Pavlich said.

“He started so far back. It was like when Cathy Freeman was given the handicap at the Stalwell Gift all those years ago … he flashed home.”

Dal Santo credited that brilliant chase down as the moment that brought Richmond back into the match in the first term.

“That’s possibly chase of the year,” he said.

“We saw Libba chase down Brad Hill earlier this year – I reckon this one has topped them all.”

1. CALLS TO SCRAP ‘WORST RULE IN FOOTY’

The protected zone needs to come under immediate review by incoming AFL footy boss Greg Swann, Fox Footy’s Will Schofield believes after a string of tough 50m penalties on Saturday night.

Eagle Tyler Brockman can probably feel the most hard done by.

He was pinged when he appeared at least 10 metres to the side of Maurice Rioli Jnr.

“It’s got to be the worst rule in footy this one, this protected area,” Will Schofield said.

“We’ve lost complete common sense feel of the game.

“We need to get it right out.”

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