Richmond looks destined for a top-four finish and a double September chance after a 29-point win at the MCG on Sunday that all but ended Hawthorn's late finals surge.
The Tigers passed another significant test on their way to their fourth straight win, producing one of the most even performances of their season against the in-form Hawks to win 13.15 (93) to 9.10 (64) and move clear in third spot.
The win sets up a mouthwatering top-four showdown against Geelong next Saturday, which could see the Tigers – who have won five of their past six – all but cement their first double chance since 2001.
Hawthorn, meanwhile, looks set to miss the finals for the first time since 2009 and just the second time in 11 years, with the Hawks falling to 13th on the ladder with three rounds to play.
The loss soured captain Jarryd Roughead's 250th match in what has been a triumphant return to the game in 2017, with the champion forward chaired off the ground through a guard of honour.
The absence of Jack Riewoldt in an already undersized forward line could have proved too much for the Tigers on Sunday, but it was just another hurdle they leapt over in a season that is building nicely.
Josh Caddy was brilliant with a career-best four goals, holding down a deep forward role and finishing with 28 possessions, six inside 50s and nine marks in his best game for the club.
Fellow recruit Dion Prestia also played the best game of his season after a one-week rest, winning a game-high eight clearances and 31 possessions, showing how valuable he could be at the pointy end of the season.
Dustin Martin (32 possessions and two goals) spent long periods forward, particularly after he was dumped in a heavy tackle in the third quarter, with Prestia becoming the midfield architect.
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He was well supported by Kane Lambert (30 and eight inside 50s), while the typically rock solid backline hardly faltered, keeping the Hawks to 4.8 in the first three quarters before the Hawks rattled on five goals in the final term.
The Hawks were well-served by prolific midfielder Tom Mitchell (35 possessions) and James Sicily, who controlled the airwaves in defence with 29 possessions, 10 marks and seven rebounds.
Richmond made sure nothing was easy for the Hawks, bringing swarming tackle pressure in the first quarter and feasting on their opponents' turnovers with quick counter-attack football.
Bombing the ball inside 50 was going to be a recipe for disaster without Riewoldt, but it was clear from the start the Tigers had a plan and they picked apart a Hawthorn backline that was in disarray without suspended champion Luke Hodge.
They dominated for long periods without getting reward, kicking just one goal in the second quarter from nine inside 50s, but they put their foot down in the third, kicking four goals to one in a match-winning burst.
Percentage will be crucial for the Tigers in the run to September and conceding five goals in the final term was the only sour note as the Tigers moved level on points with second-placed Greater Western Sydney.
RICHMOND 5.4 6.8 9.10 13.15 (93)
HAWTHORN 1.3 2.5 4.8 9.10 (64)
GOALS
Richmond: Caddy 4, C.Ellis 2, Martin 2, Rioli, Cotchin, Soldo, Prestia, Nankervis
Hawthorn: Miles 2, Breust 2, Schoenmakers 2, Roughead 2, Mitchell
BEST
Richmond: Caddy, Prestia, Martin, Lambert, Nankervis, Rance, Grimes
Hawthorn: Sicily, Mitchell, Smith, Howe, Roughead, Gunston
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Schmitt, Findlay
Official crowd: 58,342 at the MCG
