Richmond have hung on for a four-point win over Essendon in a see-sawing AFL match at the MCG.

The Tigers kicked four goals to two in the last quarter to hold off the Bombers 16.12 (108) to 15.14 (104).

The game finished with six-straight behinds to Essendon, including two misses from set shots by Justin Laycock.

Veteran Richmond defender Joel Bowden also twice conceded rushed behinds, rather than bring the ball back into play, to deliberately run down the clock.

Richmond midfielder Nathan Foley had a game-high 31 possessions and Mitch Morton kicked four goals for the Tigers.

Essendon were down to only one fit man on the bench after Andrew Welsh, Angus Monfries and Jay Neagle were all injured.

The win means Richmond stay in contention for the top eight and they also broke Essendon's four-game winning streak

Richmond kicked three of the first four goals of the match and led by 18 points, before a snap from Jarrod Atkinson gave him his first AFL major and reduced the margin to 12 points at quarter-time.

Welsh, one of Essendon's best players in the last month, started the run of Essendon injuries when he went off in the first quarter with apparent concussion.

The Tigers broke clear in the second term, extending their lead to as much as 29 points before going into the long break with a four-goal advantage.

Monfries was carried off in the second after hurting his left ankle.

Richmond seemed in control, but Essendon fought back brilliantly in the third term.

They kicked six unanswered goals, taking the lead by two goals.

Their surge featured an incredible goal from Scott Lucas, who soccered the ball through from out of mid-air on an acute angle.

But by three-quarter time they were down to only one fit man on the bench, after Jay Neagle limped off early in the term.

Matthew Lloyd marked and goalled to put Essendon 11 points, five minutes into the final term, but the Tigers were pressing.

Two-straight goals to Nathan Brown gave them back the lead and he kicked another in the last quarter to redeem his quiet afternoon.

Tigers ruckman Troy Simmonds was also outstanding in the last quarter.

Bombers key defender Dustin Fletcher was a late withdrawal, making way for Mal Michael, while Richmond backman Will Thursfield came in for Daniel Connors.

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