In wet conditions at the MCG on Friday, the Magpies grit their teeth to claim a 8.15 (63) to 7.7 (49) victory in front of 85,241 fans and spoil Richmond coach Damien Hardwick's 300th game at the helm.
But the night was soured by ruckman Darcy Cameron limping off with a knee injury just before three-quarter time.
He could join Mason Cox (haematoma) on the sidelines.
Collingwood held the Tigers to just nine points in the opening two quarters - their lowest half-time score since recording eight points against GWS in round 19, 2016.
Substitute Noah Cumberland sparked a Tiger resurgence early in the third quarter, playing a hand in two out of three goals as Richmond drew within three points, before the Magpies lifted, then saw out the game.
Richmond were without injured trio Dustin Martin, Jayden Short and Jacob Hopper, plus suspended defender Nathan Broad, and lacked their normal punch through the middle
Steele Sidebottom (24 disposals) and Jordan De Goey (35 disposals, 10 clearances) looked ominous throughout and Nick Daicos shook off attention from Jack Graham to rack up 33 touches.
Tom Mitchell and Josh Daicos were typically reliable while Billy Frampton kept a wasteful Tom Lynch quiet.
Nick Vlastuin marshalled Richmond's defence while Liam Baker (33 disposals) and Tim Taranto worked hard and Shai Bolton was clean in slippery conditions.
Richmond got off to the perfect start when Lynch brought the ball down amid three defenders and Bolton crumbed the ball, coolly danced through traffic and snapped off the side of his boot.
Bolton's poise proved a rare moment of composure for the Tigers, with Collingwood handling the conditions far better.
But after Bobby Hill's early response, the Magpies failed to make the most of their early dominance, kicking six behinds.
Goals to Brody Mihocek and Ash Johnson either side of quarter-time gave Collingwood the upper hand.
While they dominated territory, Collingwood's failure to make it count on the scoreboard kept the door ajar for a Richmond resurgence.
Richmond substituted out young tall Samson Ryan for Cumberland at half-time and he had a hand in Rhyan Mansell and Judson Clarke booting early goals.
But when Jack Riewoldt added Richmond's third in a row, it sparked Collingwood into action, with the Magpies booting the next four of the quarter, including a lovely shimmying goal from skipper Scott Pendlebury.
Collingwood withstood another late Tiger surge in the final term to maintain their unbeaten start.
