Sydney have strangled Richmond for a badly needed 44-point win, keeping the Tigers goalless for more than a half at the MCG.

The Swans’ slogging 11.14 (80) to 4.12 (36) win in cold conditions on Saturday was only their third in 11 visits to the MCG, punctuated by two heavy grand final losses over the past three years.

Sydney’s record improves to 5-8, giving their season a glimmer of hope.

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After last weekend’s last-quarter fadeout against GWS, Richmond started brightly and led by 12 points at quarter time.

But the rebuilding Tigers did not kick a goal from 19 minutes in the first quarter until 22 minutes into the last — unofficially a club record.

All-Australian defender Nick Blakey, derided this week by some in the media as one of the season’s biggest disappointments, was outstanding with 34 disposals and eight inside 50s.

Isaac Heeney starred in the midfield and James Jordon played his role to perfection as a defensive forward on in-form Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin, kicking three goals.

Tigers onballer Dion Prestia was on fire in the first quarter with 13 possessions, but James Rowbottom then paid him more attention and he only had 21 for the game.

Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy also had a day out, beating Richmond captain Toby Nankervis in another crucial match-up for the Swans.

The longer the game went, the more apparent was Nankervis’s frustration.

Coming off big losses to Melbourne - at the MCG - and Adelaide at home, the Swans were in big trouble early.

Richmond had 10 of the first 12 inside 50s and it was 10-4 at quarter time, with the tackle count also a lopsided 11-6 in the Tigers’ favour.

But Sydney made the game a scrap at the start of the second term and Heeney kicked a goal at 13 minutes to give them the lead.

The Swans led by 14 points at the main break and they kicked 10 unanswered goals until Seth Campbell put through his second late in the final term.