Richmond's first AFL or AFLW win in Canberra came in dramatic fashion on Sunday, with the Tigers holding off a fast-finishing GWS Giants in a sun soaked nation's capital.

After an electric first half, Richmond took a commanding 8.7 (55) to 3.0 (18) lead into the main break, with Jarrad Donders' team looking poised to runaway with a comfortable victory.

However, a stunning turnaround from the Giants saw the home side roar back before falling just short, the Tigers boarding the plane back to Melbourne with a seven-point triumph, 9.14 (68) to 10.1 (61).

The result improves Richmond's record to 4-2 as it stays in the finals hunt, having already doubled its win total from last season.

Inaccuracy almost proved to be the Tigers' downfall, with the yellow and black holding decisive advantages in inside-50s (45-29) and scoring shots (23-11), but unable to fully translate that dominance into an insurmountable scoreboard lead.

Richmond's inaccurate goalkicking was compounded by an almost perfect display from GWS. The Giants had kicked 10 goals with no behinds deep into the fourth quarter, but while the tremendous goalkicking kept them in the game, it also evaded them when they needed it most.

After a 50-metre penalty, Alicia Eva was unable to convert from a set-shot with three minutes remaining, which would have made it just a two-point game in the dying stages. The Tigers would knuckle down in defence from that point forward, a late Gabby Seymour mark sealing the win.

It was poetic Seymour provided the clutch play as the co-captain enjoyed a stunning performance, kicking three goals to go with her 15 disposals, 15 hit-outs and nine score involvements, as she continues to be deployed across all three lines of the ground.

No.1 pick Olivia Wolmarans' star continues to shine as she also booted three goals with 15 disposals, nine marks and eight score involvements, while Caitlin Greiser was a presence with 18 disposals and 10 contested possessions, but she will be wondering what could have been, after kicking 1.5. 

Ellie McKenzie (20 disposals, one goal), Issy Bacon (18 disposals) and Sierra Grieves (18) were strong in the midfield as they assume more responsibility in Monique Conti’s absence.

Fresh off a 15-point win over St Kilda last round, Richmond raced out of the gates and led by 16 points at quarter-time at Corroboree Group Oval in Manuka.

The Tigers continued to run riot in the second term, booting five goals in 12 minutes to balloon their advantage to 37-points at the main break.

The Giants completely transformed after half-time, scoring six majors, including a double from Georgia Garnett, to give themselves a glimmer of hope at three-quarter time.

Leading by eight points, Richmond sprayed a flurry of opportunities wide, kicking 0.6 for the final term, but its defence held off GWS’ desperate attack to claim the win and sit just outside the top eight, just percentage from fifth spot.

The Tigers’ gathering momentum faces a challenge when they head to IKON Park on Grand Final Eve, to face a high-flying Carlton at 4.00pm next Friday.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY   1.0   3.0   9.0   10.1 (61)

RICHMOND   3.4   8.7   9.8   9.14 (68)

GOALS

Greater Western Sydney: Garnett 3, Beeson 2, Pauga, Martin, huntington, Howley, Evans

Richmond: Wolmarans 3, Seymour 3, McKenzie, Greiser, Cleary

BEST

Greater Western Sydney: Beeson, Parker, McCormick, Garnett, Lucas-Rodd

Richmond: McKenzie, Wolmarans, Seymour, Grieves, Bacon

INJURIES

Greater Western Sydney: Nil

Richmond: Kelly (TBC)