Richmond and Geelong, two of the AFL teams who have been in crisis mode already this year, scored stirring victories on Sunday.

The mantle of "clubs under the pump" now sits firmly with Hawthorn and Collingwood, and it only got worse for both of them this weekend.

The Tigers were the most unlikely winners in round seven.

Having lost their previous 12 interstate matches by an average of 44 points, they beat Sydney 10.7 (67) to 8.6 (54) in dreadful conditions at the SCG.

The hero was Matthew Richardson, playing his first game since straining his hamstring in round three.

He booted seven of the Tigers' 10 goals and even found time to give away an eighth to Darren Gaspar.

Two weeks ago, Richmond coach Danny Frawley was labelled "dead man walking".

Now the Tigers can look ahead with confidence to next week's clash with the Western Bulldogs, when they will start as favourites for a third successive win.

"The thing we've got to be careful of next week is just going to Richo, Richo, Richo - I'm sure the Bulldogs were up here watching the game," said Frawley.

"We have to scratch and fight tooth and nail to get another win next week and that's the way we are going to approach it."

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