Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich hasn't had many critics during his time in the AFL, but he answered them anyway, leading from the front as the Dockers eventually overcame winless Richmond by 23 points.

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas raised eyebrows in the west as well as around Moorabbin last week when he said he thought Pavlich might prefer to play well personally rather than play in a winning team.

Against the Tigers he did both, elevating himself above a willing backline when it mattered in the final term to see the Dockers home 18.15 (123) to 15.12 (102).

Finishing with 22 possessions, 15 marks and three last term goals, Pavlich's two notable assists in the second stanza were as pointed as they were important.

And after his side eventually prevailed in what he called a "genuine danger game", Dockers coach Chris Connolly could only praise the way Pavlich had risen above Thomas' barbs.

"I thought Joel Bowden played well on him early, and Matthew persevered and when the game was on the line he really stood up," Connolly said.

"Matthew is a person that doesn't pay too much attention to the press, whether they are positive or negative.

"More than any other player over the years that I have found he doesn't pay any attention to it at all."

Freo again suffered from a slow start, allowing the Tigers young brigade to get a jump which they held onto until 20 minutes into the third term, .

Richard Tambling, Brett Deledio and Andrew Raines all excelled, while Graham Polak continued his impressive season since moving from the Dockers in the off season.

But with a first win of the season up for grabs in the final minutes, Richmond's young bodies faded, while Freo's experience of Peter Bell (38 possessions) and Josh Carr (25) held sway.

Des Headland's five goals, including three in the third term which brought Freo back into the contest, also came in for praise from Connolly - as did Richmond's endeavour.

"Des really stood up, and I think he has really taken another step as a player," Connolly said.

"It is so much pressure on every club, there is no light games ... if they are the worst club going around this competition, this competition is in the best nick it has ever been since I have been involved."

Richmond coach Terry Wallace said missed chances when his side dominated the first half ended up crucial.

"The game nowadays is played with such momentum swings, and you have got to make the most of your opportunities when they come," Wallace said.

"When the momentum swing did come their way they kicked their goals when they needed to.

"With an inexperienced side you have to make hay while the sun shines and we did not do that.

"We were a thousand plus games behind them in experience ... and we had kids with one pre-season and two pre-seasons flagging on the biggest ground in the competition ... it caught up with them in the end."

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