Richmond have enjoyed a rare day in the sun, defying the heat of Perth to outrun and eventually embarrass Fremantle 20.17 (137) to 10.13 (73) at Subiaco Oval.

Led by four goals from the inspirational Matthew Richardson, whose unfamiliar role on a wing was an inspired move by Terry Wallace, Richmond led at every change and made a mockery of their pre-match odds of $5.50.

And despite Fremantle not having travelled for three weeks, it was Mark Harvey's troops who wilted in the 30-degree temperatures, with Kane Johnson (36 possessions), Nathan Foley (seven scoring assists) and Jordan McMahon (32 possessions) all impressive for the Tigers.

Only Matthew Pavlich (three goals) and Luke McPharlin (two goals) posed any consistent threat to Richmond - with Peter Bell's achievement of equalling Wayne Richardson's record as the West Australian with most games in the AFL/VFL overshadowed by an alarming Fremantle fade out.

Wallace's immediate ploy of a six-man forward line and playing Richardson wide sufficiently confused the Dockers to allow Chris Newman to waltz to 50m and kick the first goal after 30 seconds.

After a week of scrutiny, Chris Tarrant's first action was positive, with a good mark and a safe finish - but it was followed by a big blow, his accidental collision with best friend Dean Solomon leaving the former Bomber out cold, and the Dockers a man down.

With Solomon off on a stretcher, Tarrant then left an unwanted mark on an opponent, with Kelvin Moore caught high, leading to a 50m penalty and likely scrutiny from the match review panel.

And in between Tarrant's highs and woes, Richmond dominated with Foley and Johnson leading the charge.

Two majors in a minute from Richardson was followed by two misses from Graham Polak and Matt White making a 17-point quarter time lead less than it should have been.

Fremantle's age-old inability to capitalise on Aaron Sandilands' ruck dominance was exposed by the Tigers, with their run through midfield leaving the Dockers for dead.

Despite more Tigers' misses, Foley's continued silver service allowed the Tigers to increase the lead to 28 points at the main break.

Fremantle got some good news with the return of Solomon after the break.

But with temperatures falling, the Tigers' dominance increased - Nathan Brown's increasing influence magnified in setting up Richard Tambling with a daring look-away handpass.

With Ryan Crowley's goal reducing the three-quarter time margin to 40, Bell's early major gave some hope - until Richardson's fourth confirmed the Tigers' first win in Perth since 2001.

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