The Benny

On Friday evening before the game I sent a text to Joe in Launceston, a lifelong Tiger.

At 7.22pm he called. He was not in Launceston. He was not near a TV. He was walking the Overland Track, and had just arrived at Narcissus Hut after a big day walking 28km, with a 20kg pack. He had one bar on his phone, battery nearly flat. I said I’d send him score updates.

Holy hell, what a game! The pressure was insane. It was raining, the ball was soap, and each player receiving it was just intent on moving it on asap. The ball was booted off the ground and out of midair countless times, but there were also incredible contortions to get the ball from hand to foot before the inevitable tackle.

The best thing I’ve read about the game (and probably the best short footy piece of the year) is this; Nankervis by Matt Zurbo. Go and read it, I’ll wait here.

Port were on top early but their entries inside 50 were terrible. They had a clear chance with Marshall galloping free and he kicked out on the full. I haven’t seen a lot of this kid but I marked him as a weak link. Grimes seemed to have his measure. Tiges didnt make a scoring chance until 8 mins in when Lambert stripped Mackenzie of the ball but he dribbled a point. There was no actual Port pressure on him at the time (from my vantage point on the couch 885 nautical miles away) but I know the air around him was just pinging with perceived pressure.

Grimes was copped high and with his free kick chose to slow things down, take a really good look and send a considered long ball to the top of the square. Jack brought it to ground, Dusty roved it at top speed and hooked it back on his right for the game’s first goal. Jack has started really well. Duursma is one of Port’s young stars and Jack ran through him in the centre. Soon after Jack was smacked across the chops by Jonas and put the resulting free kick through for a goal. We were using our chances better than Port.

Then Marshall set up a goal for Rozee. OK maybe I was wrong about him. Robbie Gray, one of the most balanced modern players you’ll see, gathered with one hand as he wheeled around with his back to goal, and with great vision hit up Duursma. The kid’s a very good player but his archer stuff is dumb. Sort of masturbatory. You can image he’d feel at home at Narcissus Hut.

He ran 50 metres to have a yap at Lynch afterwards. Port ahead 2.3.15 to 2.1.13 at quarter time. Best sight of the first quarter was Balta galloping out of the backline – he’s blanketed Dixon.

Rozee kicked a goal from the Eddie pocket. Burne Jones is on Martin and like most humans, has no hope. We are a goal down but I feel we are winning the 50/50s down low and we are dominant in the air. It’s going to turn. Nank kicks to Shai in space, but his set kick doesn’t make the distance. BT does his nana about Shai turning his back to goal, but I reckon he was looking for a runner to dish it off to.

Next minute Shai runs down Lycett for holding the ball and just picks it up and skips away from him.

Burne Jones tried some kind of body stuff on Martin and missed him entirely, leaving him in space to mark and goal. It’s 21-21 now and the score doesn’t move for a long, LONG time. I suddenly remembered I had to text Joe.

We are getting an OK run with the umpires – they are giving deliberate OOBs all over the place but its consistent. Pickett is working into the game after a dud first quarter. I feel like every Tiger has had vital moments.

Duursma dropped a chest mark. Rioli tries to just bowl the ball between his legs to escape a tackle. Balta gets away with a big shove on Dixon. Graham goes off sore. Powell-Pepper is trying to crash through packs and its not working.  A promising move forward goes to Prestia and he puts it OOF.

Half time score 3.3.21 apiece.

For the rest of the game I had Joe in the wilderness hanging on my texts. It really added something extra to a game that was already totally engrossing.

After a lovely clean move Bolton out it across the face for a behind. Lynch outmarked two to put us in front. Houli is in everything, a low-to-the-ground ball-promoting machine. I don’t know about stats but Nank is the dominant ruckman on the ground. He’s the greatest tackling ruckman the game has seen. He pings Gray. Baker has quelled Rozee.

Suddenly Lycett is galloping free. Motlop finds him and he goals from the set shot. Port are getting some rough decisions and the home crowd are baying for blood.

Joe is on the verandah now trying to get reception. It is -7°C.

I’m just going to tell the rest of the game in our texts. I am yet to rewatch the last quarter but this is how I saw it.

In these last minutes Nank took two crucial marks in defence. He ended up with ten tackles.

Port Adelaide 2.3(15) 3.3(21) 4.4(28) 6.4(40)
Richmond 2.1(13) 3.3(21) 4.6(30) 6.10(46)

The Benny

5: Nankervis – “Nothing flash, just effort down low. Pushing, shoving, tackling, clearing paths, getting it, giving small handballs. Work.” – Matt Zurbo
4: Martin was unstoppable. He is unstoppable.
3: Balta beat Dixon. Played on the edge but huge contribution.
2: Lynch worked so hard all night.
1: Lambert’s two quick goals finally put our slight edge up in black and white on the scoreboard.

Leaderboard
36: Martin
26: Bolton
20: Short
18: Grimes, Vlastuin, Graham
17: Balta
15: Cotchin
13: Lambert
12: McIntosh
10: Riewoldt, Baker, Edwards
9: McIntosh, Prestia
8: Houli
7: Pickett
6: Soldo, Lynch
5: Higgins, Eggmolesse-Smith, Chol, Nankervis
4: Caddy
2: Aarts
1: Castagna, Astbury

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy for Tackles
Graham 67
Lambert, Pickett 64
Rioli 53
Cotchin 51
Bolton 47

Confidence for this game was pretty solid. We were OK without being quite good enough against Brisbane. Tom Lynch was available after a spell to get his sore hamstring completely right. His absence contributed to last week’s loss, but would that call ultimately pay off? Dimma decided to put his faith in the “Nank & Friends” approach in the ruck, so Mabior Chol made way for Lynch. Unlucky Jake Aarts was dropped to bring back dual premiership defender Nathan Broad. The Saints had 3 forced changes, with Ryder injured, Carlisle on baby watch and Ben Long suspended.

Lynch was on the board immediately, after outmarking his shadow for the day Dougal Howard. A few minutes later Sheds crumbed a huge leap from Jack in the pack and dribbled one through from straight in front. Modern players practice this incessantly, that’s why they’re so good at it. Why do they not practice drop punts incessantly? Good question, Virginia.

Shane Savage, who played at Hawthorn in the 1970s, kicked an absolute monster from the NSW border to get the Saints away.

Shai Bolton replied with two goals in a minute that were audacious and ridiculous. He followed a sort of bumblebee path with Sinclair on his heels clutching the air. It ended with Shai running outside 50 then launching a kick over the crowded forward line. It bounced 15 out and rolled through.

From the bounce we pumped it long once more and Shai roved to Nank, ran juggling the ball into a pack of Saints, and without ever really controlling it, tapped it towards his swinging boot, to goal from 30 metres out.

Dan Butler has excelled at his new club this year and it was a spicy moment when he ran down Cotch in the centre for HTB. He then goaled on/after the siren to give St Kilda a smidgen of hope after a tough quarter. Richmond led 5.1.31 to 2.2.14.

The second was maybe more even but St Kilda were wasteful. Billings, Marsh and King blew gettable chances. Cotch ripped Zak Jones’ head clean off, in a classic example of his literally careless style in finals. Will kill for Richmond, this guy. They re-attached Jones head but he didn’t contribute a great deal thereafter. Again (if we win) the next few days will be full of speculation whether Trent will miss a final.

Sheds kicked a beauty over his shoulder before Clark answered from tight on the boundary. Dan and Lynch added goals so we went in at half time on a very accurate 9.1.55 to 3.6.24. In 2020 footy that’s close to a decisive lead.

The 3rd term however was all Saints. Cartoon-baddie Tom Lynch reappeared, sitting on a bemused Howard’s head then dropping a knee gently on his shoulder and giving away 50 metres – and bringing more tribunal speculation. Quite harmless but dumb and unnecessary.

For all their chances this quarter the Saints didn’t hurt us, through a combination of our pressure and plain bad luck. Our one goal for the term came after Sheds shot this pass to Prestia who goaled. Look at this wonderful player’s composure in the moment – about to be hit hard but his eyes are only on Dion.

A much better effort from the Saints that term, finishing off with a goal to Kent after a duff kick from Bachar and great twinkletoes from Dan Butler. But they’re still 23 points in arrears at the last break.

Well, now it’s interesting. Hunter Clark is quite a player, he sold a dummy to Bachar, ran on and set up a goal for Seb Ross. Margin 17 and momentum with the Saints. Somewhere in their mansions Eric Bana, Shane Warne and Lazar Vidovic are sitting bolt upright. Their boys have 17 scoring shots to 14 and maybe if they can just hit some targets they can do this.

But it just didn’t happen. Richmond are a hardened finals unit and there are children at kindergarten now who have never known them to lose from here. We ‘raised the fight’ and overwhelmed their moves forward with mad pressure.

Sheds spotted up George for our 11th goal, Dusty hoisted another, and we were home by 31 points.

We can say the gamble of resting Lynch has at least broke even. Nank was fantastic with help from Astbury and Balta. Faith in Dimma is strong.

RICHMOND   5.1       9.1       10.4     12.8 (80)
ST KILDA       2.2       3.6       5.11     6.13 (49)

The Benny

5: Edwards – sublime to watch
4: Bolton – his goals set us on the path to a prelim
3: Houli – 32 touches
2: Martin – Did Martin things
1: Lynch – Richmond aren’t themselves without him now
Honourable mention to Dan Butler who would have got votes if opposition players were eligible for the Benny.

Leaderboard
32: Martin
26: Bolton
20: Short
18: Grimes, Vlastuin, Graham
15: Cotchin
14: Balta
12: McIntosh, Lambert
10: Riewoldt, Baker, Edwards
9: McIntosh, Prestia
8: Houli
7: Pickett
6: Soldo
5: Higgins, Eggmolesse-Smith, Chol
4: Caddy, Lynch
2: Aarts
1: Castagna, Astbury

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy for Tackles
Graham 63
Pickett 61
Lambert 58
Cotchin, Rioli 47
Bolton 46

This match promised great things early, with goals aplenty and unbelievable pressure in the first quarter. We went in without Lynch as a precaution, and relied on Jack and Marbs up front. Prestia and Bolton were big ins, at the expense of unlucky Jack Ross and inconsistent Josh Caddy.

Things got started with a big Brisbane goal. McCluggage marked on 50, then Daniel Rich wandered over and said ‘give me the kick’ then stood there whistling. Tigers stood off while Buggerlugs thought about it for a few beats and finally handed it to Rich who thumped it through. James Brayshaw yelped “What a start that is for Richmond! Uh the Lions! And Rich!”

Shai fooled around so much he was caught by the very big Oscar McInerny, then made things worse by giving away 50, enabling the Big O to bring up a goal. Bakes kicked his first goal of the year on the run from 50, and the skipper followed up to keep us in touch at 19-19. Kam added another and we went in on top at 4.1.25 to 3.1.19

We traded goals after the restart, then we owned the ball for the next fifteen minutes. It was clear as day that the Lions couldn’t continue to hang on. We just kept pumping it in and Harris Andrews took relieving mark after relieving mark. Never in footy history has a team dominated fifteen minutes as we did and failed to score at all, as we did.

What happened next was goals to Rayner, Cameron, and Neale. Neale’s was a double 50 on the stroke of half time, where we cocked up a goal chance with one too many handballs, and suddenly found ourselves conceding one instead. In this quarter we shattered our mental grip on the Lions, played Cameron and Rayner into form. Like Cotchin, Neale doesn’t kick many, and the value for them is slightly more than six points like Cotch’s are for us. We were down 5.1.31 to 7.2.44 at the long break and it seemed like a welcome halt to the momentum.

It didn’t work. Four minutes into third term Cameron kicked his third, and the spell we (Grimes) have had over him was broken. Rioli kicked a wonderful snap in reply for us; he hasn’t had a great year but spring always sharpens him up. It was 52-38 and we were just staying in touch. It was a cracking game – as the scoring slowed after QT the pressure went to new levels throughout. Bailey got another for them. Young Keidean Coleman in his 5th game could have just about pushed it out of our reach but he was hauled down by Astbury with the timekeeper’s finger on the button for the 3QT siren. If he’d been content with a zig he would have been fine but he essayed a fateful zag. Dave’s tackle slipped down into a trip but umpies don’t care these days. We trailed 6.3.39 to 9.6.60.

The ageless Kam McIntosh scampered through the wing and set up Dan for his second. Shai executed another squiggly run and finished off with a goal that could have been remembered forever if it hadn’t brushed the post. Probably for the best as Bruce’s call of it deserves to be forgotten. Riewoldt took a difficult pack mark and slotted one to get us within nine points, and arguably we had the flow. Time ticked on, and our desperation started to work against us. Hipwood wasted a chance to seal it but Buggerlugs didn’t, giving the Lions a deserved 15 point win, 10.9.69 to 8.6.54.

The Benny

5: Graham carries such a load now for a young player – 9 tackles.
4: Cotchin had seven clearances and a goal
3: Short had 22 touches and always had his eyes up
2: Prestia is working back into some form
1: Astbury is unsung but was our best defender today

Leaderboard
30: Martin
22: Bolton
20: Short
18: Grimes, Vlastuin, Graham
15: Cotchin
14: Balta
12: McIntosh, Lambert
10: Riewoldt, Baker
9: McIntosh, Prestia
7: Pickett
6: Soldo
5: Higgins, Eggmolesse-Smith, Chol, Houli, Edwards
4: Caddy
3: Lynch
2: Aarts
1: Castagna, Astbury

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy for Tackles
Graham 60
Pickett 59
Lambert 54
Cotchin 47
Bolton 45

Exciting to have Shedda back in the side. He was one of 4 changes, coming in with Lord David Astbury, Marbs and Caddy for Lynch (injured) Shai (rested/injured) Soldo (proper injured) and Markov. The Crows have had a dog of a season but have just started to turn it around in the last few weeks. Never a chance of winning but likely to be obstinate opponents.

Crows goaled first and had their tails up. We hit back with goals to Caddy, Jack and Aarts to lead 3.0 to 2.2 at quarter time, although they looked the better side, getting over the back of our defence a few times. Shedda contributed to Aarts goal with this millisecond give and gather.

After quarter time we kicked 9 goals to two and our relative quality was obvious against the wooden spooners. Noted chillout-merchant Brad Crouch pushed Cotch in the back, Cotch remonstrated and Crouch swung a nose-breaking left hook just shy of his hooter. The free kick to Cotch was overturned when Toby quite rightly flew the flag.

Benny Votes

As usual this season I have copied these votes and notes from the mighty @Tigers_of_Old. This season he’s made his own excellent Richmond merch, check it out if you haven’t yet.

5. Shedda. Couldn’t have been a better return.
4. Dusty. Constant danger.
3. Graham. Our workhorse.
2. Lambert. Timely return to form.
1. Baker. Flawless down back.

Leaderboard
30: Martin
22: Bolton
18: Grimes, Vlastuin
17: Short
14: Balta
13: Graham
12: McIntosh, Lambert
11: Cotchin
10: Riewoldt, Baker
9: McIntosh
7: Prestia, Pickett
6: Soldo
5: Higgins, Eggmolesse-Smith, Chol, Houli, Edwards
4: Caddy
3: Lynch
2: Aarts
1: Castagna

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy for Tackles
Pickett 55
Lambert 53
Graham 51
Cotchin 46
Bolton 44

This was another low scoring affair, won by the Tigers – but at great cost. We lost Soldo for the season and probably a good chunk of early 2021, and Lynch went off with a hammy in the 3rd and won’t play next week. We were the better side; Geelong are chock full of big (ageing) names that just don’t deliver consistently. They had one goal to 3QT. Our radar was off; we kicked 2.5 in the first quarter and 2.8 in the third. We should have been gone out of sight by 3QT. Cameron Ling: “Richmond should be ten goals up”.

In the last quarter when we were undermanned they made their move with their 2nd, 3rd and 4th goals in quick succession.

Important side note about Soldo’s injury: it was directly caused by Hawkins shoving his defender Balta into the pack. It’s dangerous, it’s against the spirit of the laws of the game and to my eyes it’s against the letter also. With HQ so keen to tweak rules at the moment I expect this get attention, but all that’s really required is umps to pay frees that are already in the rulebook. Hawkins copped a lot of hate through the week but he is not the only one who does it, probably just the strongest.

Castagna settled the game with a wonderful running goal. He received a handpass from Lambert on centre wing, then exchanged little passes with Graham and Bolton, before galloping to 40 and saluting. Wonderful stuff, and it came off the back of Hawkins down the other end marking then playing on and spraying a shot out of bounds.

It’s so far from the game most of us wanted, but Richmond’s mental disintegration of Geelong has been bloody impressive.

— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) September 11, 2020

Benny Votes

As I love to do, I am working smarter not harder and I have lifted the votes and notes from Richmond legend @Tigers_of_Old.

5. Grimes. Best game all year against the best oppo.
4. Vlastuin. Not far behind just brilliant.
3. Riewoldt. Never write off a champ.
2. Balta. Challenge accepted.
1. McIntosh. Ran hard all night.

Leaderboard
26: Martin
22: Bolton
18: Grimes, Vlastuin
17: Short
14: Balta
12: McIntosh
11: Cotchin
10: Lambert, Graham, Riewoldt
9: Baker, McIntosh
7: Prestia, Pickett
6: Soldo
5: Higgins, Eggmolesse-Smith, Chol, Houli
4: Caddy
3: Lynch
2: Aarts
1: Castagna

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy for Tackles
Kane Lambert 48
Marlion Pickett 42
Trent Cotchin 42
Jack Graham 41
Dan Rioli 38

We’ve seen a lot of games like this in 2020 – low-scoring, constipated affairs played without much flair or fluency. There always seems to be too many players around the ball, especially in the forward 50-metre zone, where it’s inordinately hard to find any space or win clean possession. It’s frustrating to watch, and you can see that it’s frustrating for the players and coaches as well. In summary, this game was an unattractive scrap from which the Tigers did well to emerge with victory, on the back of only two quarters of good play. Looking for positive things to say about it all, this is what comes to mind:

Marlion Pickett seems to have really lifted his game in the past few weeks. His peculiar loping style is a pleasure to watch, and he’s one of those players who seem to make the game slow down when he has the ball. He has a special talent for subtly changing the angle of the play too, and I thought he was our best on the night. 

Jayden Short’s run and dash has been a pleasure to watch all season. His ability to transfer quickly from defence into attack is as good as anyone’s and I don’t reckon he’s played a bad game all year.

Fridge Graham has been playing with terrific, sustained intent. Get tackled by this bloke and you stay tackled. He’s not flashy but he’s brutally effective, and I hope his strong performances over recent weeks will be enough to cement his place in the team.

Kamdyn McIntosh seems to have new hair but, fortunately, this hasn’t changed his distinctive running style or his cartoonish Popeye arm-flexing routine when he celebrates a goal or some other notable passage of play. In a game where a lot of our mid-fielders didn’t rise to any great heights, it was McIntosh and Pickett on the wings that carried much of our game ‘between the arcs’ (as they say in the commentary booth). 

I don’t think this was a match than anyone will really want to revisit. But the Tigers won, so that’s what counts. Our next game against Geelong promises to be a bigger and better occasion.

Benny Votes

5. Marlion Pickett
4. Jayden Short
3. Jack Graham
2. Kamdyn McIntosh
1. Jake Aarts

Leaderboard
26: Martin
22: Bolton
17: Short
14: Vlastuin
13: Grimes
12: Balta
11: Cotchin, McIntosh
10: Lambert, Graham
9: Baker, McIntosh
7: Prestia, Riewoldt, Pickett
6: Soldo
5: Higgins, Eggmolesse-Smith, Chol, Houli
4: Caddy
3: Lynch
2: Aarts
1: Castagna

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy for Tackles
Kane Lambert 46
Marlion Pickett 42
Trent Cotchin 39
Jack Graham 38
Dan Rioli 36

I came to the couch with a fair amount of trepidation about this one. The Tiges have been mainly winning but never looking entirely convincing. And Wet Toast has been the form team of the competition. So I figured that this encounter would really be the test of whether our Tiges were timing a run of best form for the business end of the season or whether we were just kidding ourselves. Many of the games I’ve watched this year have been frustrating spectacles. Our boys have often played in fits and starts, without great fluency and polish. Also, I’ve frequently had cause to wonder why it’s apparently so bloody difficult to kick the ball between those big sticks (see useful diagram attached).

So, right from the first bounce, this game was a pleasurable revelation. The Tigers played with a sustained confidence and intensity that, to my eye, far exceeded anything produced in earlier games. We seemed to have the game predominantly on our terms, so that the blue-and-yellow blokes were frequently corralled, harassed and forced to chase their tails. It was a beautiful thing to behold. Also, for the first time in ages, we somehow managed to kick goals.

The highlights of course were Dusty’s outrageous curler launched from the disused pie-stand somewhere beyond the right-hand forward pocket and then, later, big Noah’s long, long bomb from the centre square. Approaching the end of the game, I was amazed to note that we’d managed to kick 14 goals and only three behinds. I would have sustained this amazement right to the finish if freckly Jack hadn’t momentarily forgotten the old adage that there’s no ‘i’ in ‘team’ and butchered a straightforward close-range shot with a needless bit of smart-arsery.

Overall though, this performance begs the question: why can’t we kick at goal with this level of proficiency every week? Let’s hope that this might be the game that banishes the yips from our collective boot!

Aside from all the above, these are the things I most appreciated:

• Noah Balta playing with such flair and authority (even if this did include his inadvertent sinking of a knee into Josh Kennedy’s temple early in the game);
• Our two-prong ruck division largely nullifying the brilliance of big Nic Nat;
• Our tall blokes in the forward line working hard to frequently bring the ball to ground, so that our smaller blokes could pounce on the crumbs and those acclaimed Wet Toast defenders never got to dictate terms;
• Cotch’s manic efforts to win the contested ball at the centre bounce and around the stoppages;
• Fridge Graham’s frequent and imposing efforts to chase, tackle and extract the ball from traffic.

Mainly though I thought we just looked like a bloody good team, with everyone meshing together to become a force greater than the sum of its parts. For the first time in this weird year of football, I’m prepared to believe that our team is a genuine chance to go all the way. But of course, we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves…

Benny Votes

5. Noah Balta
4. Trent Cotchin
3. Jack Graham
2. Bachar Houli
1. Dustin Martin

Leaderboard
26: Martin
22: Bolton
14: Vlastuin
13: Short, Grimes
12: Balta
11: Cotchin
10: Lambert
9: Baker, McIntosh
7: Prestia, Riewoldt, Graham
6: Soldo
5: Higgins, Eggmolesse-Smith, Chol, Houli
4: Caddy
3: Lynch
2: Pickett
1: Castagna, Aarts

Dreamtime at the G became Dreamtime at Marrara this year; the whole shebang shipped to Darwin. And you know, its a great occasion each year bringing Indigenous Australia to the city and to the greatest sporting venue in the world; but maybe it should travel more often. Richard Fejo launched it with a dynamite Welcome to Country. It must have felt so great to be there and be Larrakia Tiwi, Yolgnu, Jawoyn, any of the top end countrymen he welcomed so powerfully, the Noongar who are so well represented in footy, the Koori and Murri from the east, Tassie got a mention. It started the night on a great positive note.

The first half was not sparkling football but the highlights belonged to a Dons debutant, Irving Mosquito. Lynch opened the scoring but shortly after the mid-sized and quick Mosquito got a match-up on Soldo and just got away from him to mark, and goal confidently.

Tippa (The Little Man™ J. Brayshaw) took a very brave mark and was lightly collected by Grimes. There was a lot of heated talk during the week after about Grimes, not so much for this as for when he flopped to win a free which meant a goal to Tipungwuti was overturned. He got death threats.

Essendon SEN caller: “I don’t necessarily agree with the death threats, but…” Stop right there turbo

— Simon Wallace (@rfcswallace) August 23, 2020

It was 3 goals each at half time; Dons had been accurate, we had not. Dusty, Tom, Oleg, Dyl (!), Kam, Jack R and Jack G all missed, one after the other. Pretty excruciating. A rushed behind was sweet relief. Just before halftime with a total of four majors on the board, Mosquito improved things immensely swooping on a loose ball and running through a closing gap to kick his second. Shai answered quickly, Rioli another, and we went in 7 points up.

Around that time Shai collected on the wing and hit Jack on the chest, one of the best kicks of the night. It went totally uncalled. Richo and Brayshaw were busy talking about Oleg’s barista moey. Sure, dull game, but keep half an eye out for class.

After kicking two before the break we started the third a volley of goals to Riewoldt, Dusty and Lambert. Shai and Dusty had control in the middle, and the Dons were a key back short after Francis went off with a hammy. Jack Graham had possibly his best ever roster match; he hit Lynch on the chest with a great pass and Lynch nearly killed Saad who bravely/unwisely got in the way.

From there Essendon got close a couple of time but we held them at arms length. After a neat pick up from Short, Graham bobbled it in low and Lynch used his body cleverly to allow it to run to Marbs who kicked it high into a tree. Merritt and The Little Man™ kicked consolation goals but we saw out time for a 12 point win.

Benny Votes
A bit unfair to Lynch, Soldo and Baker here but…
Dusty 5, Bolton 4, Graham 3, Vlastuin 2, Grimes 1
Leaderboard
25: Martin
22: Bolton
14: Vlastuin
13: Short, Grimes
10: Lambert
9: Baker, McIntosh
7: Prestia, Balta, Riewoldt, Cotchin
6: Soldo
5: Higgins, Eggmolesse-Smith, Chol
4: Caddy, Graham
3: Houli, Lynch
2: Pickett
1: Castagna, Aarts

This was not a great game from us, an atypical snooze fest. But it was exactly what we’ve come to know and love from Gold Coast – exciting youngsters, a very competitive first half and a tailing away in the latter stages. There was a slow start, and it never got exactly frenetic. This will be the briefest of summaries.

AFL match report says we “owned” the first quarter. OK. Riewoldt was on, and we certainly looked the more potent side up front. Scores were level at the first break.

The Suns may have got a rocket from Stuey Dewey with their oranges; as they were by far the better side in the 2nd Q but sprayed it. Again I am floating my theory that there’s something about our Grimes-led back 6 that causes wayward kicking. Old fashioned “chewy on yer boot” action? Perhaps. I don’t think we rush more than average. They led 3.6 to 2.2 at half time. Yes, our boys kicked two majors in the first half.

Jack starred and this was clearly his best game of the season. Not long after the season restart Marcus and I speculated about his future; but I wouldn’t do that after this game. He’s still got what it takes to take a game by the scruff, especially a moribund off-Broadway affair like this.

We kicked three to none in the 3rd quarter, Pickett put us in front in his usual laid back way. After the last change we just eased away with three more goals to one for as unspectacular win as you’ll get. Just contento with the puntas quatras as they possibly say in Spanish.

Lynch had a good game but was cited for thumping a young Coaster in the guts. This was the main footy story of the week as the commentariat decided it was time to pile on the club. He’s getting caught retaliating, and will miss more important games than this one if he keeps it up.

Benny Votes
This week I’ll man up and call the votes myself.
Riewoldt 5, Grimes 4, Vlastuin 3, Cotchin 2, Short 1
Leaderboard
20: Martin
18: Bolton
13: Short
12: Vlastuin, Grimes
10: Lambert
9: Baker, McIntosh
7: Prestia, Balta, Riewoldt, Cotchin
6: Soldo
5: Higgins, Eggmolesse-Smith, Chol
4: Caddy
3: Houli, Lynch
2: Pickett
1: Castagna, Graham, Aarts

A weird game. Umpires in white, goal umpires in black bomber jackets. Weird man. Ladhams freak goal, 7-foot bloke punting it off the outside of his toe from the boundary line – weird. Amon, Butters, Woodcock and other blokes not yet shaving were running us ragged. Suddenly they had 4 goals and we had none. Very 2014 EF vibes, and I could feel a hot wind in my face, even on the radio.

I said to the room “We’ll get back in to this; but we won’t win”. Mabs made an outstanding run. He ran back with the flight of an Egg kick, halved the contest, got to the spill first at top speed, shinned it on, then tapped it over an opponent, then gathered off the ground to get possession for the first time and immediately dished to Caddy who goaled. On Fox McGuire said “Mabior Chol stand up, we salute you. That was magnificent.” It really was.

So good big fella. #MoveslikeMabior #MabiorChol #gotiges pic.twitter.com/8jipftTAhb

— Ando (@Tigers_of_Old) August 9, 2020

We kicked the last three of the quarter to go to the huddle 7 points down.

QT Sellers on the radio said “Port kicked almost the first four goals of the game when you think about it”. Weird.

We’d rested Cotch, dropped Snags, brought back Rioli and Caddy. Might have been nice to have Trent out there come to think of it.

We hit the front briefly in the second.  A huge mark to Pickett went utterly uncalled by Ed who is still whinging about a free not paid to Port earlier. Aarts kicked a wonderful solo goal, dancing zigzagging in from the point post goal. half time siren beats Gray kicking his 3rd. 4 goals each this term and at the long break we’re 9 points down.

Big Dixon kicked another 7-footer’s freak goal as he was heading for row H at the time. Weird. Kmac collected a ground ball and showed incredible vision to hook it off his left to Stacky.

Port have been terribly wayward kicking 2.5 to our 4.3, and we go in a point up.

The last quarter started with Balta mistake for a Port goal, he was trying to do the quick hands and just rushed himself into a turnover. Then Dusty gave away a silly 50, and Caddy added another 50 to hand them another goal. This might have marked Josh’s card, as Dimma was as displeased as you’ll ever see him. And that was game over, we didn’t score after 3QT.

On the stats they killed us (i50s 55-24) but we hung in until suddenly we couldn’t any longer. I believe there’s something about the way we defend that creates inaccurate scores.

Benny Votes
Again these are @Tigers_of_old’s best players
5 Bolton, 4 McIntosh, 3 Chol, 2 Short, 1 Vlastuin

Leaderboard
20: Martin
18: Bolton
12: Short
10: Lambert
9: Vlastuin, Baker, McIntosh
8: Grimes
7: Prestia, Balta
6: Soldo
5: Higgins, Vlastuin, Cotchin, Eggmolesse-Smith, Chol
4: Caddy
3: Prestia, Houli, Lynch
2: Riewoldt, Pickett
1: Castagna, Graham, Aarts