Richmond has fought back from a two-goal final-quarter deficit to overwhelm Melbourne, winning by nine points and firming up their position inside the AFL's top four.

A superb performance by Matthew Richardson after three weeks off with a hamstring injury proved the difference as the Tigers prevailed 17.10 (112) to 16.7 (103) in AFL round eight at the MCG.

The Demons were left to rue another final-term fadeout, having not won a last quarter this season.

Melbourne held their biggest lead for the match of 12 points at the 15 minute mark of the final term but again could not hold on.

A questionable mark was paid to Richardson to cut the gap to six points and a snap goal by Kayne Pettifer, agonisingly drifting past Mark Jamar in the goalsquare, put the Tigers up by a point at the 19 minute mark.

The scene was then set for some heroics by Greg Stafford, with the Tigers ruckman looking in real trouble after hyperextending his knee in the last term but returning to take a contested mark and goal at the 22-minute minute mark to secure the result.

Richardson took an astonishing 16 marks as he ran hard up the ground and kicked four goals, while Stafford also took 12 grabs.

Their dominance was apparent in the first quarter, as they kicked two goals each but when Richardson was rested 20 minutes into the first term, Melbourne piled on four goals in five minutes to seize the lead and set up a close contest for the rest of the night.

Seven goals apiece in the first term had the fans excited, but thereafter the game took on a more defensive aspect.

The Tigers led by seven points at the main break and held a two-goal break early in the third.

But a late snap goal to Demons young ruckman Mark Jamar gave the Demons a two-point lead at the last change before they once again failed to seal a result.

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