Sydney have been upset in an Easter Sunday thriller, defeated by Richmond by 5 points. 

A five-goal third term set up the win for the Tigers, who ran out 11.16 (82) to 11.11 (77) victors in front of a vocal MCG crowd.

Tom Lynch (three goals, six marks) wreaked havoc on the Swans' defence in the third quarter, with Dane Rampe subbed out of the game with hamstring tightness. The Tiger took advantage and control inside 50.

It took some time for Sydney's elite skills to show up. Impacted by Richmond's oppressive style of play, the visitors were prone to fumbling regulation marks and missing targets by foot that they would typically hit with ease.

James Rowbottom was simply immense for Sydney, with 19 disposals and 13 tackles for the day as the side's most consistent performer across the course of the game, while Brodie Grundy (23 disposals, 21 hitouts) and Errol Gulden (25 disposals and a goal) recovered from a poor start to have a say in the Swans' final-quarter press.

Under the afternoon sun, Sydney's forward line struggled to read the ball in attack early, and Richmond capitalised on that lack of connection, often triple-teaming the Swans' deepest forward in the air and rebounding back out.

Although without Dylan Grimes, Richmond's backline – bolstered by Nathan Broad and Tylar Young – played smart footy, at times simply showing its experience over young Sydney tall forwards Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey. The latter pair were also not helped by some uncharacteristically wayward kicking into attack from their teammates.

It wasn't until the 17-minute mark of the second quarter that the Swans offered their signature line-breaking end-to-end transition run, resulting in McDonald's second goal for the game. From there, it was the Sydney side fans have come to expect this year, running in waves, hitting targets in the corridor, and exposing the Tigers' defence.

However despite getting a bit of scoreboard pressure in the third term, the Swans were unable to withstand the pressure the Tigers were putting on them.

A late goal from Errol Gulden ensured a tense final 90 seconds but the Swans were unable to find another before the final siren sound.

Talking Points

Lefau thriving without the pre-game chaos
Last week, Richmond's SSP signing Mykelti Lefau earned his AFL debut, not without some chaos. Initially named as the sub, he was added to the starting side very, very late. This week, without the confusion before the opening siren, he was able to settle into the game and show why the Tigers picked him up. Offering blistering defensive speed without the ball, he bobbed up in attack to kick two goals, one a curling set shot from deep in attack, the other a long, straight kick from 50.

Fox's moment
On the eve of half-time, as the Swans had started to take control of the game, utility Robbie Fox stood strong. Matt Roberts sent the ball into Sydney's front half, and Fox took his opportunity, flying at the footy to take an impressive high mark over Richmond ruck Toby Nankervis. The mark was a highlight in itself, but importantly, the Swan went back and coolly slotted the set shot as the half-time siren rang out to give his side an eight-point lead at the main break.

A case to answer for Baker?
Important Tiger Liam Baker will face a nervous wait after a clumsy effort in the second quarter. After Richmond kicked long to the paint of its forward 50, Swan Lewis Melican leapt to take an intercept mark as Baker floated in back with the flight in an effort to equal the aerial contest. In the process, he made contact with Melican. After an ensuing scuffle, Melican got up to take his kick, and was taken from the field soon after, but played out the match without issue.

RICHMOND          4.3     5.9     10.13     11.16 (82)
SYDNEY               2.1     7.5       8.9       11.11 (77) 

GOALS
Richmond: Lynch 3, Lefau 2, Bolton 2, Baker 2, Taranto, Mansell
Sydney: McDonald 3, Heeney 2, Amartey 2, Papley, Gulden, Fox, Blakey

BEST
Richmond: D.Rioli, Taranto, Vlastuin, Lynch, Bolton
Sydney: Rowbottom, Heeney, Lloyd, Fox, Grundy

INJURIES
Richmond: Lynch (hamstring)
Sydney: Rampe (hamstring tightness)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Sam Banks (replaced Mykelti Lefau in the fourth quarter)
Sydney: Corey Warner (replaced Dane Rampe at half-time)

Crowd: 45,112 at the MCG