Richmond has responded from a shock opening-round defeat to West Coast, holding off the fast-finishing GIANTS by 11 points.
Nine days after suffering a stunning loss in Daisy Pearce's first game as Eagles coach, the Tigers controlled Sunday's match at Punt Rd in windy conditions from the outset.
But the GIANTS launched a brave fightback from 29 points down, kicking three straight goals to give themselves an outside chance of pinching victory.
Despite kicking just one goal in the second half, Richmond held on to win 5.8 (38) to 4.3 (27).
The GIANTS dominated after half-time, but their slow start cost them any chance of going 2-0 to back up last week's demolition of the hapless Western Bulldogs.
Captain Katie Brennan set the tone with an imposing first quarter, while Sarah Hosking capitalised up forward with two goals.
"The GIANTS are a great team. They love to use the footy through the corridor," Brennan told the Seven Network.
"Really proud of our group to be able to stop that, stem the flow and also come out firing, which was a bit of a focus for us off the back of last week.
"We were all just ready to start our engines, make sure we started really fast.
"I thought it was a super effort from all our girls."
The GIANTS had the four leading disposal winners on the ground, headlined by Alyce Parker's 26.
Tigers superstar Monique Conti had a quieter game than her usual lofty standards with 18 disposals, matched by teammates Ellie McKenzie and Grace Egan.
Up Next
The Tigers have a tricky trip to take on Sydney in Coffs Harbour at 12.35pm AEST on Saturday. The GIANTS are playing in the final game of week three, hosting the Gold Coast Suns at Manuka Oval on Sunday.
RICHMOND 2.3 4.6 5.6 5.8 (38)
GIANTS 0.1 1.1 3.2 4.3 (27)
GOALS
Richmond: Hosking 2, Greiser, Dempsey, Yassir
GIANTS: Goldsworthy, Eva, Brazendale, Pauga
BEST
Richmond: Brennan, McKenzie, Conti, Egan, Graham, Hosking
GIANTS: Goldsworthy, Parker, O'Dowd, Barr, Beeson
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
GIANTS: Nil
LATE CHANGES
Richmond: Nil
GIANTS: Jessica Doyle (illness) replaced in selected side by Courtney Murphy
Reports: Nil
