Richmond have thumped Essendon by 66 points, in Ben Rutten's likely last AFL game as Bombers coach, but will sweat on a groin injury to superstar forward Tom Lynch ahead of the finals.
Lynch was substituted for Jason Castagna in the final quarter, after booting five second-half goals, to sour the Tigers' otherwise impressive 21.15 (141) to 11.9 (75) victory at the MCG.
It had otherwise been a relatively routine win for Richmond, who sealed seventh place and added an exclamation mark to Essendon's self-inflicted week of turmoil.
Bombers coach Rutten is contracted for next season but it appears he will be sacked after a board meeting on Sunday, days after the club's botched attempt to lure now-North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson.
On Saturday night, Richmond kept Essendon at arm's length for the first two quarters then kicked away to leave the Bombers languishing in 15th.
The typically reliable Dion Prestia (31 disposals, five clearances) was Richmond's best in an even team performance, while Lynch exploded after the main beak.
For Essendon, Zach Merrett (37 disposals, eight clearances) found the ball at will and was supported by Dylan Shiel (28 disposals, seven clearances) while key forward Peter Wright booted three goals.
The Bombers also farewelled retiring stalwart Michael Hurley, who played his first AFL game since a horror hip infection.
Hurley also had an emotional end to the night, marking close to goal late and kicking truly before waving to the Bombers' supporters in celebration.
The Tigers booted five of the first seven majors, with livewire Noah Cumberland jagging their first two.
Defender Ben Miller drifted forward and goaled after the siren to give the Tigers a 19-point lead at the first change.
Essendon kicked the first two goals of the second term but were unable really get a foothold in the game.
Bombers dynamo Jake Stringer had to be substituted out of the contest after copping an accidental knee to the back of the head from Marlion Pickett, who had attempted to hurdle the forward.
Richmond maintained their 19-point lead at the main break and booted the first six goals of the second half to effectively lock up the four points midway through the third term.
Lynch came to life, monstering Jayden Laverde to boot his first three goals of the match.
Wright and Dyson Heppell goaled to snap Richmond's goalkicking run and limit the three quarter-time deficit to 44 points.
But the Tigers kept the foot down after the final change to nudge their winning margin beyond 10 goals, with only Lynch's injury stopping their momentum.
