Despite a strong first half, the VFL Tigers failed to capitalise on their dominance, before going down to Frankston by 12 points in an intense battle at Kinetic Stadium on Friday night.

Richmond started the contest with a bang, kicking three goals in the first four minutes of the game, kicked by Mohammed Yassine, Joel Garner and Sam Philp.

The Dolphins kicked a much-needed goal six minutes into the game, as Darby Hipwell put through his side's first and stemmed the bleeding.

Frankston continued to work its way into the game, kicking another goal after pressing for a few minutes, finished off by big key forward Noah Gown.

VFL-listed Tiger youngster Ned Renfree gave his side some breathing room towards the back end of the term though, taking a nice mark and finishing truly from a tight angle.

Both teams kicked a late goal, but a red-time Sam Toner goal ensured Richmond were in front at quarter-time, up by 13 points.   

The Tigers' lead was extended two minutes into the second term, after Daniel Lowther got a push in the back while attempting to mark. He was paid the free kick and produced a composed set shot finish, pushing the lead out to 19 points. 

But Bailey Lambert closed the gap, popping up inside-50 and kicking his first goal of the night for the Dolphins, before the home side kicked another goal minutes later through Blake O’Leary, reducing the margin to just seven points.

The Tigers were pressing for more goals, but poor ball use inside-50 meant Richmond left a few opportunities on the table, leading by just seven points at half-time. 

Not long into the second half, the margin was back to one point when Frankston found Corey Ellison inside-50, who kicked truly. But it was the Tigers' turn to fire back, with Samson Ryan kicking a goal.

Richmond continued to press but couldn’t find the big sticks, kicking three consecutive behinds, before Ellison and Frankston capitalised on the turnover, cutting the Tigers' lead to four points.

With goals hard to come by for the Tigers since the first quarter, Liam Fawcett took an important mark, went back and kicked a big goal approaching the end of the term.

But the Dolphins would not give in, with Patrick Dozzi kicking a goal with only a few minutes left in the quarter, bringing Richmond’s lead back to only three points with a quarter to play.

The Tigers got the all-important opening goal to begin a tense final term, as Fawcett kicked his second goal of the night, giving Richmond a nine-point lead. But much to the game's trend, Gown brought the margin back to one-point, kicking a goal after getting paid a free kick inside-50.

Frankston kept pressing and 24 minutes into the last quarter, it took the lead for the very first time in the game, after Ellison's third goal. The Tigers were brave but George Gray's second goal spelled the end, as Frankston recorded a two-goal win.

Lachlan Street played a true captain's game for Richmond, finishing with 25 disposals and seven clearances, while Mutaz El Nour (25 disposals and 14 intercept possessions) was impenetrable down back. Ryan was also strong, recording 20 disposals, 16 contested possessions and 33 hitouts. 

It was a stirring effort by the Tigers, who had 20 VFL-listed players on Friday night.

Richmond will lick its wounds before the attention turns towards next Saturday's game against Williamstown at DSV Stadium.

Richmond   5.4   6.5   8.8   9.8 (62)  

Frankston   3.3   5.4   8.5   11.8 (74)

Goalkickers: Fawcett 2, Yassine, Toner, Ryan, Renfree, Philp, Lowther, Garner