West Coast's fighting loss to Richmond was soured by a hamstring injury suffered by luckless star Elliot Yeo at the MCG on Sunday.

The Tigers moved back into the top-eight after riding a third-quarter challenge to prevail 20.8 (128) to 13.15 (93).

Both sides were a man down when West Coast lost injury-plagued utility Yeo to a hamstring issue early in the third quarter, just before Richmond gun Dustin Martin was subbed out with hamstring awareness.

The Eagles got a lift out of Nic Naitanui's return from a knee injury, with Tim Kelly (40 disposals, nine clearances) and Luke Shuey (26, 11) busy at the ruck star's feet.

Naitanui was influential at stoppages, finishing with 19 disposals, 26 hit-outs and six clearances as the Eagles won the clearance battle 45-31.

06:32

Rd 16 highlights v Tigers

The best moments from the Eagles clash against Richmond at the MCG

Kelly capped a superb individual display with two goals and Jamie Cripps kicked three.

Richmond had more firepower in attack, sharing the scoring load and making the most of its chances.

Jack Riewoldt kicked three goals while Shai Bolton, Shane Edwards, Tom Lynch, Kamdyn McIntosh, Liam Baker and Pickett slotted two each.

It was a scrappy opening, plagued with a series of skill errors by foot from both sides.

Martin and Daniel Rioli were exceptions as their slick ball use helped the Tigers kick the final four goals of the first half to lead by 34 points at the main break.

00:41

Nic Nat is back with a snap

Nic Naitanui didn't need long to impact the scoreboard in his return game as he kicked this brilliant long-range snap on his opposite boot

They increased the advantage to as much as 39 points before the Eagles enjoyed a brief period of dominance after Martin and Yeo went off.

The visitors kicked 6.5 to 4.1 for the third quarter and an upset was on the cards when debutant Zane Trew calmly converted a free kick to cut the margin to 11 points.

But Richmond steadied through Liam Baker after Naitanui's tangle with Ivan Soldo off the ball resulted in Shannon Hurn's defensive mark being turned into a Richmond free kick close to goal.

Eagles forward Jack Darling out-muscled Josh Gibcus to kick an early goal but was kept fairly quiet in his 250th game.

00:42

Cripps and Kelly score quickly

Jamie Cripps and Tim Kelly score majors within a minute of each other to start the third quarter

RICHMOND 4.2 11.4 15.5 20.8 (128)
WEST COAST 2.4 5.6 11.1113.15 (93)

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Baker 2, Bolton 2, Edwards 2, Lynch 2, McIntosh 2, Pickett 2, Castagna, Gibcus, Martin, M.Rioli, D.Rioli
West Coast: Cripps 3, Kelly 2, Darling, Naitanui, Petruccelle, Rioli, Ryan, Trew, Waterman, West

BEST
Richmond: D.Rioli, Pickett, Baker, Broad, Short, Vlastuin
West Coast: Kelly, Naitanui, Cripps, Shuey, Barrass, Redden

INJURIES
Richmond: Martin (hamstring)
West Coast: Yeo (hamstring)