The Benny

Embed from Getty Images

SO, we beat GWS, pretty much as I was sure we would. I even knew Lambert would kick the first goal. We are in the Grand Final. I am more or less numb and so this will be the shortest Benny ever. Reminder that for finals we have double votes.

I have not found votes for Rance, Lambert, Edwards or McIntosh even though I thought they were excellent and carried the team forward in moments of doubt and confusion. I am so happy for Shane Edwards, back playing footy in the joyful, visionary way that once had him in our top 5 players. Rance was huge individually and as the marshal of his back six who all played well. Dave Astbury and Nathan Broad were confident spoiling and kicking. Kane Lambert had 23 touches and they were all quality. He might not be underrated for much longer. I enjoyed Kamdyn McIntosh’s game a lot, he covers so much ground and seems to arrive just in time. His disposal is not mint but you know he is following Dimma’s instructions to the letter; get it and move it on. I thought the umps favoured us all day but I will take that. Can’t hope for same next week; more discipline is required or we will give away 50s.

I listened to ABC Grandstand watching it live; but on the replay I suffered through Lingy and Basil etc. In the 3rd Q someone took a mark 60 out; screen shows Dusty pointing wildly to Riewoldt, and Basil says “Dusty says kick it to me!” Spare me.

Embed from Getty Images

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Cotchin was so important. He has become the type of captain I never thought he could. My regard for both he and Dusty has grown enormously this year. Dusty is the best player in the AFL, a human highlights package, unstoppable once he gets going. But I don’t reckon he’s a fast starter. Trent flicks a switch at the first bounce and becomes a predator. His attack on Dylan Shiel, GWS’s best player, was arguably the most significant moment in our season.  Through Cotchin we laid claim to a Grand Final spot from the first moment of this game and dared GWS to prise it off us. 10 votes.

Rioli kicked four beautiful goals, each at crucial moments. Actually I have blanked on the 1st (set shot?) but his 2nd give-and-go was magnificent, our only goal of the 2nd quarter. How was his tackle on Callan Ward? We have this young bloke and the back six largely to thank for impossibly being in front at half time. Then he was the engine that got us going in the 3rd. 14 touches and six tackles; cut and paste everyone else’s family resemblance raves here I guess. He’s 20. 8 votes.

Grimes was listed in the best players which is a relief as I sometimes think I over-appreciate him. Unlike Rance who can drop a couple of brain fades into an otherwise imperious game, Dylan Grimes makes about 2 mistakes a year. And he was impeccable on Saturday. 6 votes.

[This is where I will mention that there are a host of GWS players I don’t rate, all in their front half. If you kick it to them or just crash into each other and fall over, they are going to kick goals. But Johnson, Greene, Lobb, Lids, Patton are beatable with good defenders just doing their job. I was only worried by Hamilton Hindenburg who bobbed up and got great service especially from Tomlinson – Broad’s goalsquare spoil on him was worth a goal. Man mountains Lobb and Patton seem to doubt themselves and so start half beaten.]

Dusty Martin is an incredible footballer and did things that defy belief, on the huge stage in front of his adoring Tiger Army. So many moments that people will remember forever. I have put a few players in front of him on the night for coming to the party early and being prominent all night. But Dusty is so selfless, almost to the point of recklessness. At the same time his self-belief is enormous; he will run away from goal in a huge u-turn with toddlers (on closer examination actual grown-up AFL footballers) hanging off him, touch the ball down if you don’t mind, and hook a 50 metre goal over his shoulder. 4 votes.

Caddy was very good, and another one who started like a rocket. I sometimes mistake him for Jack as he leaps from 2 or 3 back to crash a pack when he has no hope of marking; but he knows the fleet around his feet will collect it. I look at his stats now and my notes and it doesn’t stack up but at the time my gut feel on the evening was I loved what he brought to the table. 2 votes.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Leaderboard

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

There is a bunch of us Richmond supporters in our early 30s who have only known misery from their football club. We all have jobs, some have mortgages, some children. We generally get along OK in life and don’t ask for much other than to sit back on the weekend and observe a set of circumstances of which you have absolutely no control and enjoy it. We’ve adopted NRL, NBA, EPL and NFL teams and cheered when they won but deep down knew that we’d much prefer it to be Richmond. I even have a theory that Richmond supporters are the best at pretending they care when Victoria wins the Sheffield Shield and the only bridge too far is caring about who wins a Big Bash game.

We’ve had glimpses, flashes and signs of promise but all have gone as quickly as they came. Last week’s build up to Friday didn’t feel like the other glimpses, it promised to be different. Richmond this year has had a calmness about it that has been missing during even the best of times in recent years, this wave of momentum feels timed and sustainable. It felt like it could have even survived a slip up on Friday and everything would still be OK.

But then the night came and the slip up didn’t.

For some reason, night games at the MCG just feel bigger. The backdrop of a night sky makes you feel like it’s the only thing happening in the world, and with 95,000 people watching on Richmond played like there was nothing else in the world. It was a delight to host Geelong at our home ground for such an occasion but weird they decided to leave their forward line back down the highway.

In the stands it was primal and on the ground it was savage, I’ve never heard such crowd noise nor seen such onfield pressure. When people have asked me how it was over the weekend I’ve only been able to mutter something about ‘really good and very loud’, that’s about where I am at for the moment.

Embed from Getty Images

Chatting with Richmond fans in the lead up to the evening there were three scenarios:

1. We shat the bed
2. We played well and lost, or
3. We played well and grinded it out.

Five minutes into the first quarter we were able to rule out door number one, but door number two was still a very real and scary option. Little did we know, and even less could we expect, that a door number four was on the horizon: we’d do it easy.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

During the match I was too terrified to process anything more than the scoreboard and Dusty having the ball but on watching the replay (three times and counting) there were loads of moments that jump off the screen.

I could write tens of thousands of words Demonblog style and break them down one by one, but few were better than Ellis clattering into Dangerfield in the second quarter. Both had eyes only for the ball and while Ellis was greeted by five or six mates urging him on, Cam Guthrie and his shocking haircut simply walked straight past Dangerfield as if it was the most basic of training drills. He was obviously preoccupied with getting the post match lines right in his head about how hard done by they were for having to travel 70 kilometres to play the biggest game of the year at a first world ground.

Embed from Getty Images

All year long the praise for Richmond has been qualified and followed with ‘but they’ll need to find a second tall forward for the finals’. It would have been easy and must have been tempting to bring in Griff once we had a couple of runs under his belt. Instead Dimma and co stuck to the script and backed in the game plan.

The comparisons to the Bulldogs of last year have increased as the year progressed and will likely click into overdrive now that we are down to the last four. For me though the narrative is similar but the stories are very different. The Bulldogs took an unconventional forward line into the finals last year because of injuries, Hardwick has taken his unconventional forward line into the finals this year because it works.

Embed from Getty Images

Jack and Nank deserve more love than they’ve received externally, as both continue to pull double and triple shifts to make the setup work. Jack plays both full and centre half forward and in an industry determined to measure key forwards only by goals kicked he offers a full suite of services. Nank’s worth is summed up through the words that are often muttered after his name in commentary ‘has worked tirelessly tonight’, that should be his nickname.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Our season has been viewed through the prism of Dusty and on Friday, as he has many other times this year, he did the brilliant things that made the difference.

But this wasn’t a win placed solely on his shoulders, it was like a game of pool where 21 people set up the game winner for him and he knocked them in on a hot streak. With six minutes to go in the third quarter he’d been only fair and we were grinding it out, by the ten minute mark of the last quarter he’d gone for the throat and it was over. I’ve played pub pool with blokes like that, they’re off buying drinks and talking to girls and but manage to find their way back to the table and win the game when needed. You really want them on your team, and you hate playing against them.

Picking a Dusty highlight this year is like picking your favourite Rolling Stones song but the shake and bake on Tom Stewart and bounce down the wing is shooting quickly to the top of the charts. Who knows what is to come this season or for the next seven for that matter but the occasion and, my god, the noise when he took off down the wing will be very hard to top. The ball ended up with Prestia in the square, the siren went not long after and the decibel level shot off the charts again as they gathered for the huddle.

It was special moment in what was a very special night and Martin Scorsese makes the Richmond movie (or Dusty movie) that’s the bit he’ll play Gimme Shelter over.

Embed from Getty Images

The last quarter was, to put it simply, perfect. The slow buildup maximised pressure and despite the fact we’d been the better team for just about the entirety, the lead was narrow enough for Dangerfield to have dragged back on his own if he stopped kicking it out on the full for a few minutes.

Nick Vlastuin on radio said that he wasn’t sure when to be happy and relax, which is fantastic to hear because none of us ever do so why should they really?

For me on the night, it was the Lambert goal which looking back at the replay is completely ludicrous given the time still to play out but given Geelong had kicked four goals for the night until then it was probably fair enough. Then the dam burst, only this time the flood of goals ruined their night instead of ours.

I don’t know how dam walls usually burst, but when it did everyone was lining up for a crack. Including the skipper, my goodness the skipper and his perfect hair, who hit a contested footy at pace and on the spin and kicked the goal that made up for three elimination finals.

The guy who has copped it from everywhere from years who now leads his band of brothers into a preliminary final. That was a moment I’ll never forget.

As covered by the RTT lads Friday night doesn’t even the ledger for the last thirty years, but the promise of the next three weeks hints at the debt being repaid and then some.

Two more.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

The votes [double points for finals]

10: Nick Vlastuin – Dusty blew them away but it was the first half of grinding that built the stage for him. He has been a very good player for a while now but this might have been the night the rest of the footy world took notice.

8: Dustin Martin – What is there left to say? He did it when it needed to be done, we’ve got the best midfielder in the league.

6: Alex Rance – ‘Taylor stitched up him a month ago’ they said. They probably should have played Taylor on Friday then. Wait, what? He was playing?

4: Dion Prestia – He’s never going to be the cleanest because of where he wins the ball, but he did the hard yards that we’d lacked in finals of recent years.

2: Josh Caddy – Fought hard early, run hard late and got one up over his own mob and extra points for obliterating Mackie in the second quarter. Our Mr September?

Deepest of apologies to the captain who I’d have loved to worked into the votes but I couldn’t manage it.
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Leaderboard

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images
Votes and Notes this week by Lauren Clearihan (@LozzzaC)

Walking up from Punt Road, fresh from a Richmond VFL win, sunshine and blue sky welcomed Tiger fans to the MCG. Today is such a different day, with Richmond already locked in the 8, all the Ninthmond jokes have well and truly been put where they belong, in the bin.

The jungle drums are beating and the lights are on, and today we are home, daring to dream of finals and a top 4 finish.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Embed from Getty Images

First Quarter

Polka Dot beanie on for good luck and because it’s freezing and we’re kicking to the city end. Townsend opens the scoring with a goal.

Grimesy’s lays a tackle over the boundary. How far he has grown, from being a one trick pony with the golden fist, (you must punch everything) to becoming such a complete player almost like Alex Rance V2.

Grigga marks and goals. Saints have a lot of the ball (it was a lot of behinds and I don’t really have any interest in St Kilda) but it’s kind of hard to work out if this is the same Saints that played us back in Round 16 in the comfort zone of Etihad.

Go to Town, because after a great passage of play Jacob has his 2nd. And I realise that I don’t actually care if St Kilda has changed, I just want us to have changed, I mean any effort had to be better than that game.

Poncho activation time. St Kilda scores, not great here at the moment.
Ponchos everywhere are activated and Dusty tears the roof off the sucker and scores.

Light rain turns to a steady shower and Dusty is everywhere all of a sudden.

18 points lead at quarter time, I’d tap that. Oh and did I mention that it’s freezing, I may have frostbite from taking notes.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Embed from Getty Images

Second Quarter

Edwards misses and it’s still in the 50 and Grigga soccers a goal. And then The Pres. (Prestia) causally swings on his right and scores a goal which somehow remarkably remains untouched as it bounces out of reach over the line for a goal. (I think that’s worth paying him a lot of money for, that was nice).

Ripping tackle by Rio, unrewarded, what a rip off and he’s winded (so much grimacing, but great to see teammates go to his aid). Meanwhile amidst all the medics rallying around Rio, Classic Towners, kicks another goal. Remind me where he’s been all year?! No, seriously, he is so calm around goals and a fantastic kick, why were we not playing him over Tyrone?????

And then there’s that other Jack guy, been a bit quiet but had all of the arms and legs over him. Yes, we have the better Riewoldt, and Jacky boy scores his first.

Exciting steal by Lambert, mark by Edwards and we head forward again but only for a rushed behind.

The new Jack, (do we have a nickname for Jack Graham?) Let’s just call him Jack II, and he marks on the chest and goals. 58-8. Gosh I love this version of Richmond and it’s nice to get back at the Saints after the embarrassment of Round 16.

Another Jack marks this time Billings for the Saints. Dusty’s dodgy handball turnover and Saints score. Jade Gresham is everywhere kicking his first and then a minute after his second.
All of a sudden the “Wake up Richmond” cries come from the crowd.

Everyone hating on Carlisle because he’s wearing that ugly white long sleeve jumper and he’s pretty much wanting to relive the Mayweather vs McGregor fight on every Richmond player.
Cotch lays a tackle and it’s holding the ball. Hello El Capitan. Cotch goals, we all relax a bit.

Fair bit of play in the back line, and it is at this point I have a Nick Vlastuin appreciation moment as he paces calmly along the backline and kicks the most precise of passes. He is so strong, a fierce competitor and has killer ball skills under pressure.

Saints do some more footy stuff and then Tosh turns the corner and hits up the Butler and we are all served with a goal on the half time siren. Crowd applauds. Rich 71 lead Saints 27 44 points up at half time. Crowd seems pretty happy with that.

Embed from Getty Images

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Third Quarter, “The Premiership Quarter” (Spoiler alert: Definitely no premierships were won in this quarter and we didn’t win the quarter).

Kick to kick cancelled. Massive boooooos from the crowd.

Quarter starts of with a Bruce goal. Wow hello Richmond, are you out there? We are totally faffing around with the football when we get it.

Somehow frees are a plenty for Josh Bruce today, he seems keen to win a Logie for Best Actor, and earns another free as he jumps 5 hours too early, but luckily for us he misses everything. We can’t seem to get it out of the Saints forward 50. Game has turned scrappy. Saints goal and Richmond appear to have gone to sleep. All the things we were doing in the first half have gone. Cotch has his head ripped off, not once, but twice and it’s called holding the ball. Good times, not. Crowd starting to come to life. More frees to St Kilda and it’s 16mins into the quarter and still no Richmond goal.

Bruce gets another free but misses.

Finally, Jacky Boy marks and pumps it home from outside 50. Sweet relief. And that was a good goal.

Yet another free to Bruce, he kicks forward, and there’s a mark and goal to the retiring Nick, cousin of Jack. It’s a back to back Riewoldt cousin goal fest. Gosh you’d be happy to be in the Riewoldt family with these two guys. Saints score again and uh oh Richmond, it’s 24 points the diff.

Embed from Getty Images

Everyone is starting to get Jack of all the Jacks and Jades for St Kilda. Also does anyone play for St Kilda who has more than 4 letters in their name? Koby, Jack, Jack, Jake, Jade, Jack, Jack, Nick?
The Butler fails to deliver a goal and the crowd scream “Lock it in”. The now infamous Mosquito fleet have gone AWOL.

Richmond’s discipline and support system is extremely poor in this quarter. One goal to four not good enough. Too many loose players.

Rich 79 to Saints 54, too close for my liking, 25 point lead to the Tiges.

Fans grimacing. Hate being well beaten in a quarter.

And we are doing so many dumb things.

I want top 4 you guys.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Final Quarter

We’re kicking home to the Punt Road End.

Kick the footy someone. Apparently at this point in time no one wants to have a shot.

Next minute, lookout, there’s a don’t argue, and there it is, a Dusty special.

And then it’s Dusty again soaring along the boundary hitting up Townsend.

Dusty runs off to the interchange and receives a standing ovation.

Are we bribing him with love and adoration? Um hell yes.

Townsend goals. Again everyone high fives, seriously Dimma is this part of a secret plan we aren’t privy too? BECAUSE IT’S AWESOME.

The good Richmond is back. And there we all have it, an I love Alex Rance appreciation moment.

His polar opposite appears in Jake Carlisle, what rubbish he dishes up sometimes.

Embed from Getty Images

Saints miss and it’s at this point I don’t even care. And they miss again.
I honestly have no feelings for saints. But then Saints hit the post and the crowd scream “Get it out of there”.

Another Don’t Argue and Martin let’s go a pass to Grigga and he goals on the run.

Everyone hating all of the Saints and the umpires and Richmond play unaccountable footy as Gresham scores and kicks his forth.

Prestia has it again and The Pres. makes something from nothing and he has his second.

Jack marks, goals and congrats on reaching 50 goals for the 2017 season, meanwhile Dusty gets his second standing ovation as he goes to the interchange.

Cotch comes to the bench and gets a standing ovation too. Cotch appreciation moment – how far has he come since last year! That is a statement not a question. He is an amazing human. Crowd collective swooning.

50m penalty and Towners has it. Classic Towners now has 5 goals and that rounds out 2 games for a total of 11 goals.

Saints goal but it’s all yellow and black now as the crowd realise we will be Top 3 and we have snared two chances to win a final.

Another Saints goal.

Did I mention Richmond are top 4? Let’s talk more about the Tiges.

Dusty receives another standing ovation.

A Dusty chant goes up around the ground.

Siren. Pack up your ponchos because it’s time to celebrate.

Saints guy goals after siren no one cares.

We win by 41 points, but again no one cares.

Song starts – everyone shares pure joy as they high five, embrace and sing the song.

I just can’t help but quote Lord of the Rings “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us”– Let’s make the most of opportunities and if the Bulldogs can do it – then why not us?

Why not?

Richmond are third on the ladder, with a final at the MCG and a double chance.
Let’s Dare to Dream.

In any weather, Go Tiges.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

The Votes

5 Dusty – With 3 Richmond Adoration/Bribery/Standing Ovations, The Ian Stewart Medal, 36 disposals and 2 goals and innumerable don’t argues and goal assists.

4 Cotchin – Also the receiver of a Richmond Standing Ovation, I love this man. A Captain’s goal but he’s just so tough, he can handle the pressure thanks to finally having support from his teammates. The amount of times he was tackled excessively, he just goes and goes.

3 Jacob Townsend – Um Hi Towners, where have you been all of our lives? Dimma’s secret weapon goes again with a bag of 5 today, 11 goals in two weeks.

2 Prestia – The Pres. was puffing out that barrel chest – and maybe just maybe he plays better without his best friend Josh Caddy (sorry Josh I do miss you). The Pres. is hitting his stride just in time for finals – the time off has done him the world of good.

1 Dylan Grimes – You have come so far this season.

Honourable mentions: Grigg, Rance and Neil Balme for coming back to Richmond.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Leaderboard

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Votes and notes this week by Marita Petherbridge (@mareetsyo)

I’d had a couple of false starts trying to find someone to watch the Freo-Tiges game with, including a particularly harsh rejection by one of my team’s rucks who opined, “Dusty’s haircut is the best thing to come out of Richmond – and it’s crap”. But fortune prevailed. The match ended up landing on my team’s Silly Sunday. For the uninitiated (I was, until recently, one of you), Silly Sunday is the day of extreme drinking in ridiculous costumes that follows your football team’s departure from its competition for the year. 

My team played at 9:45am Sunday in an elimination final against our arch-rivals. Up by one point at half time, we screamed ourselves hoarse on the bench until the final siren blew with scores even at 3.6.24. The first of two extra five minute quarters saw us nudge the ball over the line for a behind, but with three minutes to go, the opposition took a strong mark 30 metres out from their goal and the kick through was straight as an arrow. Heartbroken and shell-shocked, we retreated to our changeroom for earnest thankyous, teary hugs, and the first of many beers for the day. 

Luckily for me, this meant that as the siren sounded at Domain Stadium we were several hours into Silly Sunday, and I was tracksuited head-to-toe in blindingly bright orange Adidas. I had a few footy-mad compatriots keen to join me in cheering on a team they were confident would win. We watched on our home ground’s bleachers, huddled around our full back’s mobile phone as she streamed the match (dressed as a grandpa on prison break).

Q1
Embed from Getty Images
Despite everyone’s assurances that Richmond would have an easy win over Freo, the memory of our last clash clanged around in my heart and I nervously watched the Dockers come out strong. Fyfe looked fired up, ready to rally his team to a home victory.
After Townsend got our first goal of the day I allowed myself to relax a little. Quickly though, pressure from Freo was too much for Rance and Broad, leading to an easy goal for Bennell that pumped the Dockers up again. 

Toward the end of the quarter a quick passage through Townsend, Castagna, and Rioli led to Dan’s goal, showing signs of the automatic, fast teamwork that would come to feature in the rest of the game. I started to breathe easier at this point, just as the sounds of a drunken singalong to Darryl Braithwaite’s Horses wafted across the field in front of me.

Q2
Embed from Getty Images
Richmond settled into the second quarter while Freo’s intensity dissipated. Our back end of the ground saw less of the ball as the midfield showed what’s now become its standard mode: quick thinking, good positioning, and fast feeds forward to our 50. Ellis was exemplary as he gave a quick, effective disposal down to Lambert for his first goal for the day.

Excitement started to build around the tiny iPhone screen as we watched the Richmond forwards put their trademark pressure on Freo inside our 50, leading the ball over the boundary and giving Edwards a chance to slot a banana through the sticks. Another goal from McIntosh, another couple from Lambert, and one from Butler rounded out the second quarter and the Tiges had well and truly hit their stride.  Fremantle, meanwhile, didn’t manage a goal that quarter.

Q3
Embed from Getty Images
Halftime was punctuated by our coach blowing a whistle at any of us not drinking sufficiently. Looking over my notes for the third quarter of the Freo-Tiges match, I thought I must have been the recipient of a few blasts. Was that Alex Rance marking at full forward and landing a sausage roll?

Rather than easing off now that they held a half time lead, the Tiges did what so many of us fans have wanted to see for so long. The second quarter’s eight goals was followed up with another six. Dusty’s display of total (and seemingly effortless) domination of the footy ground was in full swing.

Q4
Embed from Getty Images
The final quarter brought another eight goals, cementing the 100 point win. Although he didn’t get the goal, Dusty’s BOTL* mark with five minutes to go was an epic highlight on a day of highlights.

After the stress of a close game in the morning, it was refreshing for my teammates and I to sit and watch the Tiges’ comfortable victory. We were grateful – myself in particular –to forego the usual heart-strangling fourth quarter nerves of a will-we, won’t-we match. It was a pleasure to sit at our home club and watch a well-oiled team make leads, hit their targets with precision, and apply pressure as good as any premiership side (knock on wood).

* Body On The Line. Pronounced “bottle”. Much respected around our club.

Embed from Getty Images
Votes

5 Dusty – there’s not much to say about him that hasn’t already been said. An average game from Dusty, with 36 possessions and two goals. Left carnage in his wake and evaded tacklers like they were hardly even there.
4 Townsend – epic stats for the day, kicking 6 goals in his first match for 2017.
3 Ellis – for his effective disposals and 1%ers.
2 Houli – solid as always.
1 Graham – rose to the standard set by the rest of the team. The excitement around his debut was justified.
Honourable mentions: Butler, Grigg, Grimes (who got a bit of love from my backline teammates)

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Leaderboard

Notes and votes and image selection this week by Caroline Mallett [@MallettCaroline]

So my relationship with Geelong starts with my mum. Fresh off the boat from Ireland her family settled there for a short while before moving to Melbourne. Mum went to boarding school down there so she of course has always supported the Cats. It is a indifferent relationship for me. Don’t get me wrong I respect the hard workings of the cattery but there is a malignant few that just want to do harm to everyone and unfortunately yesterday I was seated amongst them, which makes it even harder to write this in my happy go lucky, positive self.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Q1 I don’t really know the ends of the ground that well as this is only my second time at Geelong. It is always too damn cold to venture to this ground for me. Ferocious from the bounce, Tigers were hungry for it. The boys doing everything right to make sure the pill stayed at our end. Kane, Kamdyn, and Shaun were right in it. Hand balling, kicking it and the ever-elusive shepherd. How good was it to have Jack back? He was raring at the bit to get a touch and having Josh Caddy there I think is a huge relief for him. Gives him a bit of room to move. Unfortunately Josh did a hamstring and was taken off. That was the first 15 minutes and the Cats were having none of our shenanigans, not on their home turf. They worked on starting to derail the tiggy train. Cats 3.2 21 Tigers 3.4 22

Getty Images 2017 (Photo by Michael Dodge)

Q2 I am at freezing point, did I mention how cold it is down there? The wind was really swirly, horrible weather to play football in, we should have called off the game for nicer conditions. But no we must endure and we did. At every effort Tigers tried to bamboozle the Cats. Now outside of my Tigers and after Lids, Dangerfield is my favourite player. And today he was showing off for me, I am not sure of his possessions but both him and Guthrie amongst a few names were showing us up in the middle. It was like a keepings-off game that the Tigers were losing. Credit where it is due – as mentioned a million times they did not have Selwood or Hawkins. But what difference would it have made? The Cats playing on the day stood up and really showed the defensive pressure they have at both ends of the ground. Cats 8.5 53 Tigers 4.5 29

Q3 Dion Prestia, Nick Vlaustin and Dylan Grimes are doing all the right things and I am not the only one saying it. Intercepted, tackled and kicked forward. Again I am not a stats person, you can check that yourself, but I feel they held up the third quarter for us. Of course there was goal kickers too, but being able to stop that ball assisted in us getting goals in this quarter to even up the competition. Need to mention that at some point Dangerfield is off with blood rule so something was going right. Cats 8.9 57 Tigers 7.9 50

Getty Images 2017 (Photo Michael Dodge)

Q4 Did I mention the cold? I doth protest too much. We had a fighting start with the margin so small what opportunities would we take? How could we rally the boys to get us on top? The Tiger Army were in full voice. It was mentioned to me it was the battle between 3rd and 4th but for me it was Dusty and Danger. I had not mentioned Dusty as yet because I was hoping it would be the full leadership team in the last quarter. To keep our heads above water and cement that 3rd place. Seeing the score from the Sydney vs Freo game (which at 2nd qtr was 84 Swans to 9 Dockers) I knew we would have those cursed Swans biting at our tail as well. The Tigers tried on separate occasions but our kicking was just not working for us and Cats intercepted almost every attempt to get the ball back into our 50. Dusty was taken off for about 10 minutes to rest to come on in the last 15 (I think) with his last fighting tiger effort. He really put his heart and body into it but with Dangerfield, Guthrie and Henderson intercepting, the Cats were not going to stop just because of a ‘don’t argue’.
If nothing else my mum is happy this week. In the end what does it matter – we are playing finals.
Cats 11.14 80 Tigers 9.12 66

Getty Images 2017 (Photo Michael Dodge)

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Votes
5. Dylan Grimes He is a work horse no doubt that country air is doing him the world of good seeing he runs from one side of the ground to the other, it really makes you think he must have enormous lungs to go with those strong arms and legs.
4. Dion Prestia I admit I don’t know much about Dion but I feel we are going to have plenty of time to get to know him as he is proving himself a real value to the team.
3. Kane Lambert I think Kane has done the hard yards at Tigerland and he has gotten used to the senior side and is really endeavouring to make an impact.
2. Dustin Martin I know so many of you are going to say he should be higher but it’s Dusty and he is doing what is expected of him.
1. Nick Vlaustin He is a feisty fellow our Tigger and this game he needed to be, we needed someone to help Alex and be that line between that back and middle’s and Nick attempted all day to do that.
Honourable mentions: Daniel Rioli watching him makes me smile ear to ear and I feel Shane Edwards has taken him in and they just work well together. Nathan Broad he was having a real go at everything in those conditions yesterday it was nice to see.
Go Tigers

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Leaderboard

Embed from Getty Images

Vote and Notes by Sarah Black (@_sjblack)
I WALKED outside, did a 180, and re-emerged five minutes later with a waterproof jacket and considerably more layers on. Winter’s come back with a vengeance in Melbourne this weekend, one last icy blast before the daffodils bloom.

The very first AFL match I went to was a Richmond-Hawthorn clash, back in 2003. I was nine. It was a night match, and I went with my best friend, Bridgette. Clad in my too-big beanie, I was jealous of her scarf. I was confused by the gold-and-brown/yellow-and-black clash. Richmond won. I’m sure Richo featured.

I wore the same beanie, still slightly too big, to the MCG on Sunday afternoon. The rain cleared and the clouds disappeared on our train trip in, and we walked on slippery bitumen from Richmond station to the G, blue skies above us.

Both sides had a key leader out – the general Hodge for Hawthorn, and our Jack, who visited multiple doctors last week in an attempt to find someone who would let him play. A very Jack story.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Q1

I wrote about the Richmond-Gold Coast game in an official capacity last week. It’s a relief to take my unbiased journo hat off and yellow and black it up.

We were surrounded by young Hawthorn supporters. One proudly said he was five years old. He has had three premierships in his five years on the planet. I’ve had two finals wins in 24 years. These kids don’t know the meaning of failure.

The team ran out as per normal, but Alex Rance managed to rein in his manic pace to walk way behind the rest of the team, holding a little boy by the hand the entire length of the ground. It was a nice touch.

I had noted Josh Caddy is the new master of goal-square goals (taking Shaun Grigg’s mantle) after his opening goal, but little did I know what a starring role the former Cat would have.

As a five-foot-tall footballer who lined up at full-forward last week, I’m a firm believer in the tiny forward line. It’s so crazy, it works.

Even the now-beardless Corey Ellis, who shaved five years off his face in the space of a week, calmly slotted two goals in the first quarter. I may be going over the top here (although not as much as the person who created a “Aurora CoreyEllis” meme on Twitter), but there’s more than a touch of Chris Newman about CEllis.

Special mention must go to Shane Edwards, who was most definitely “on”. A leap while on the mark at half-back, an intercept, and then the coolness to feint an opponent and not rush the rebound kick.

A recent Trent Cotchin column asked fellow Tigers which teammate they would allow to go out with their hypothetical daughter. The answer was almost universally Shane Edwards, the “total package”.

Richmond 5.4 (34) to Hawthorn 1.3 (9)

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Q2

Richmond has a “player’s playlist” over the loudspeaker during breaks at each home match. Jack had selected “Land Down Under”. It’s a very Jack song – the pan flutes are the gleam in his eye, and the sheer ridiculousness of the lyrics, and happy silliness it causes, is a very familiar feeling to watching him play.

It had been a blistering start by the Tiges. The common refrain around the G was simply, “Tackling’s good”, in that understated Australian fashion.

It was more than good. It was manic. The Hawks, general-less, were dithering in defence. Burgoyne had barely touched it, and Roughy was, well, rough in front of goal.

Far be it for me to criticise one of the greatest coaches of our time, but a forward line of Shoenmakers, Duryea and Langford was not a terrifying combination.

The gulf in class between the two sides “second tiers” was no more evident than in Kane Lambert. He’s been in excellent form all year, but his pace, decision-making and execution against the Hawks across half-forward was, to quote my dad, “carving them up”.

It was an unremarkable second quarter, save for “little Ivan’s” first goal. He may be ungainly, but there’s something about Soldo that screams Richmond.

Dan Butler had an eternity, actually walking through a snap kick to an unmarked Soldo in the square. With the utmost concentration on his face, he duly saluted and even David Astbury ran from full-back to congratulate him. All that was missing was a Conca cuddle.

Richmond 6.8 (44) to Hawthorn 2.5 (17)

Embed from Getty Images

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Q3

No other player can increase the volume of the crowd at the G from a five to a ten quicker than Dusty.

Just five minutes of Dusty magic was enough to put the match to bed.

Playing in the goal-square, two goals in five minutes into the crowd at the Punt Road end got the Tiger faithful roaring.

To digress a tad from the play-by-play, Nick Vlastuin has not only slotted in with ease after returning from shoulder surgery, he is in career-best form.

The man called Tigger plays like his namesake, bouncing off opponents, the ground, even seemingly the air when taking intercept marks.

I could write pages on the backline. Dylan Grimes is, quietly (don’t let the opposition know!), one of our most important players. He is restrainedly fearless – rarely does stupidly brave things, but flies for intercept marks like Astbury and dashes through packs like Rance. The best of both worlds, and a rare combination of brains and footy smarts to boot.

Even Nathan Broad, who Simon Wallace on Twitter mentioned is now being called “Broady” in the stands (a very good sign), is improving every game. He’s one of us now.

Richmond 9.10 (64) to Hawthorn 4.8 (32)

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Q4

It wouldn’t be a comprehensive Richmond victory without the requisite fourth-quarter butterflies.

Two straightforward Richmond misses was enough to get my dad rubbing his head in frustration. We knew what was coming.

An excellent Tim Boyle article on Saturday said if Hawthorn were in trouble, Clarkson puts Roughead into the middle of the ground.

The 250-gamer wasn’t going to let his team lie down, almost singlehandedly getting the Hawks to within 19 points after finally getting a goal of his own at the end of the third.

But these Tigers are different beasts. Nearly every Hawthorn goal was answered by a Richmond one.

And the one to put the final nail in the coffin of Hawthorn’s finals chances?

Toby Nankervis.

Nank was an inspired recruit. Last year I briefly interviewed him while he was sitting in a ute at the back of the grand final parade. He was quietly spoken, considerate and matter-of-fact about being an emergency. He also seemed a good 10 years older than me, rather than a year younger.

But on the field, he gets that manic glint in his eye, the essential ingredient of all Richmond cult heroes. He fits the club perfectly.

Richmond 13.15 (93) to Hawthorn 9.10 (64)

Top three is heady heights indeed. No-one’s quite sure how to react, especially with the news of Selwood’s injury and Hawkins and Duncan’s suspensions ahead of this week’s Geelong clash.

We’re in enemy territory. Third versus fourth. And our best chance to beat the Cats since our last win in 2006 (I was in year 7. I’m now 24).

I take great faith from the amount of Richmond scarves I saw on Monday. Let’s do this. Anyone got a ticket?

Embed from Getty Images

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

VOTES

5 – Kane Lambert. I have it on very good authority not one media outlet interviewed him post-match, preferring the likes of Caddy and the Human Meatball (Prestia). Credit where credit’s due, ran the pants off the Hawks.

4 – Josh Caddy. It was a very Caddy-like performance. Four goals four, 28 touches, just did what he wanted. Highlight the mark on the goal-line, playing on and the unique slip-snap goal.

3 – Dylan Grimes. Argued my case at work on Monday he was more influential against the Hawks than Rance, and I stick by it. A brick wall with fragile hamstrings.

2 – Trent Cotchin. Unheralded attack on the footy, creative in stoppages and nailed a set shot (his weakness) just a few minutes after missing the first.

1 – Dion Prestia. Rest him every second week if this is what we get. Slotting in nicely, although one wag at a packed Richmond station, watching a motorised scooter attempt to go through a barrier, said “that thing’s got a wider turning circle than Dion Prestia.” So, work to be done.

Honourable mention – Dusty. Just because I just really, really want him to stay.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Leaderboard

Embed from Getty Images

Vote and Notes by Welton B. Marsland (@wbmarsland)

The weather in Melbourne on Saturday July 29 was wild and wicked, with severe wind warnings all over the shop. Luckily, Richmond were playing 1,700 km away.

With a opening bounce set for 7:25pm, I had a decision ahead of me around 6 – stay home, safely tucked up in calm warmth and trust the solitary video link for the game wouldn’t fail me? Or brave the pitch black walk in cold and severe winds (and rain, surely, not far off) to watch in the sports bar of a local pub 2.5km away?

Reader, I pub’d it.

Impeccable timing meant I’d procured a pint of Furphy, stowed outer layers/scarves/umbrella, claimed a good spot and had notepad and pen ready just as play got underway. I spared a note of thanks to the Fixture that this was a Saturday night – Friday nights, this pub runs karaoke in the sports bar… last time I had to resort to watching a game here, someone actually attempted “I Will Always Love You” (and not the pleasant Dolly Parton version, neither).

I’m always optimistic going into a Tigers game. I’ve seen us pull off too many miracles over the years to NOT think we’re capable of beating anybody. But I’ll admit there’d been some worry going into this match. Firstly, there was the issue of Jesus and what we’d do about him. Then came the news that Jack Riewoldt would miss the game due to an eye injury sustained at training. We haven’t got a second tall forward at the moment, and now we’d have to go into this game without even the one we did have? Cripes. Welcomed footage of Jesus sitting in the stands with the other non-playing Suns settled the first lot of nerves. As for the second lot, well, someone was just gonna have to stand up. Whoda thunk that someone would be Nank?

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Q1

The Suns made their feelings known straight off the bounce, getting a goal in the first dozen seconds and another in quick succession. My note on that second goal says simply Too easy. Kamdyn McIntosh is looking hard at the moment, rocking the Division 4 ‘tache and going bald – I was thinking only a couple of weeks ago, how we just don’t see the amount of baldies playing footy as we used to, so well done Kam, you retro gentlethug, I’m loving it. Loving it even more when he plays a hand in Dan Rioli kicking our first goal, too.

Almost thought my pen had decided to run out, my grudging respect for the Suns’ Wright being able to keep moving whilst dragging a determined Nick Vlastuin almost disappearing into the paper. But mercifully no. There’s just something oily on my table top. Ah, culture!

There’s some bits of play that almost look good. Houli’s involved and it’s great to have him back. Cotch and Dusty look like they’re trying to get things happening. For a place where it’s not raining, things look decidedly slippery somehow. But Rioli looks poised when he takes a mark and puts us in the lead for the first time.

What is to become one of the night’s running themes makes its first appearance in my notes as I scribble down NANK! No.

A second ball appears on the field, kicked aside by BEllis and I murmur into my pint glass if that’ll count in his possessions.

I see I’ve noted down “Shit kick, Shedda, sorry” and can’t recalll now exactly what that shit was, but it must be said the 200-gamer wasn’t alone. Too many times, across the whole game really, some nice bit of play would end with someone kicking the ball directly to a Suns player. Mystifying.

Another of the night’s themes enters my notes as David Astbury takes a punch to the head and no one is caring. This is the game when Richmond repeatedly take affronts to the noggin area and get nothing for their troubles.

Quarter time. The Suns are 4 points ahead of us. I’ve scribbled down Rioli, Vlastuin, Houli, Shedda, Martin, then circled Rioli. Three good goals, Dan, the quarter is yours.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Q2

My partner, D, arrives just in time to replenish my pint and for play to resume. He’s a Scragger supporter. Moral support.

Shaun Grigg pops up out of nowhere and goals to give us back the lead. And then Toby Nankervis, big, lumbering, happy boy-triumphant that he is, decides to lope forward and have another go.

NANK! YES!!

D enquires “Is the Tank playing your tall forward role now?” Well, we don’t know. But you never know. Y’know?

Butler does a smart little kick right on the boundary to Caddy who slots through another goal. We’ve pulled away to a 19 point lead. But then a nice bit of play, including Dusty passing over his head to BEllis whilst falling to the ground, doesn’t end up going anywhere. And then the third theme of the night makes its appearance in my notes – George – wot?

A brutal Don’t Argue from Dusty (“Has that bloke got up yet?” – D.), a beautiful moment from Rance, heaps good play all down the field to George for a set shot. George. Wot? Everything feels scrappier than the first quarter. George gets another go… George WOT. Little/Bigger Ivan gets someone’s head on his chin and no one is caring.

NANKKKKK!! YESSSSSS!! I think he’s getting a taste for this.

Astbury in it. Shedda involved a bit across the half. + Houli + Dusty But that Q was NANK'S

We go into the half-time break 23 points in the lead.

Half-time

There’s a lovely interview with The Ivans, most of which we can’t quite make out in the pub hubbub, but it’s nice to hear Little/Bigger Ivan speaks with the same quiet, low, considered style of speech as Big Ivan. I imagine the entire family might be like that. Quiet, considered, going about their business and doing their part.

D and I have a bit of discussion about CEllis’ beard. He looked so boyish just last year, and now he’s suddenly… Bam! – Keanu Reeves in yellow & black. Mercy.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Q3

My notes open understated: Astbury – the quiet achiever.

The Suns goal again. I did like Kamdyn’s dance moves, though, trying to put Fiorini off his kick. And then they goal again, knocking our lead down to just two straight kicks.

Good tackle, BEllis. Somehow, no matter the location, I always end up within earshot of vocal BEllis critics. When he laid that tackle, a bloke on the table behind me said disgustedly, “FFS, Ellis, you put a guy down, you should make sure he doesn’t get up again!” He can’t win, apparently.

Rioli takes a strong mark, even with a Sun trying to push him off. Dusty kicks a disappointing point. Rance gets a slap to the side of the face and no one is caring.

C'mon George... Wot.

A Captain’s goal. Grateful. Our first of the quarter.

Little/Bigger Ivan takes a knee to the head and no one is caring.

Dusty takes a great mark, sprawled on the ground, then goes back and slots it. A goal so nice it made Rocket throw his phone in the Suns’ coaches box.

A good smother from Kamdyn and then… George! Finally, wot?!! That goal must’ve felt pretty bloody good. We go into the final break 27 points up.

Dusty? Kam, Cotch then Dusty’s circled and an explanatory footnote says For making Rocket throw his phone

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Q4

Dusty gives another good smother, Nank! No., Astbury foils a Suns goal, Nank lands hard, Lambert is brave under pressure. But the Suns, depleted with injuries as they now are, keep on coming. They get another goal.

Lambert takes a groin in the face and no one is caring.

George…!! A welcomed goal. And he gets a lovely hug from his Captain.

I might’ve been impressed with Wright powering through Vlastuin’s drag in the first quarter, but here we see that Dusty can run with two Suns hanging off him. What a fine bull he is.

There’s Kamdyn with a good tackle, there’s Dusty (again) under three Suns this time, and there’s Keanu – I mean CEllis, taking a beautiful grab considering how many blokes could’ve got a hand on it, and deftly slots a goal. We’re 33 points ahead.

It’d be handy to try and kick up the percentage a bit more, lads. But I’m enjoying this game, for all its scraps. Are we not entertained?

George takes a hip to the head and what’s this? Someone finally actually cares! He’s awarded a free and kicks his third goal for the night.

Final score – Gold Coast 65, Richmond 98. We retain 4th spot and we’re within 10 percentage points of the two teams immediately above us. Pretty, be damned.

George. CEllis. Dusty had 34 touches for the game? Cripes!

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

We repaired outside for a last drink and post mortem chat, then we rugged up and walked home. Along the way, crossing over one of the big storm drains which is currently in flood, we heard frogs. Frogs, people! It’s been too long. What a beautiful sound. We need to save the frogs, everybody. We need to save the tigers, too, of course. It was International Tiger Day, after all. 97% of the world’s tigers have disappeared in the last century. There’s less than 4,000 in the wild now. Can we help? We must, really. There’s over 70,000 Richmond members – that could translate to helping out a few tigers, yeah?

World Wildlife Fund Australia’s Adopt-a-Tiger programme is here, if you’re able to help – https://donate.wwf.org.au/campaigns/adopt-a-tiger/

Alternatively, we can politely ask the club to get involved. Surely it’s worth a shot.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Votes

5 Toby Nankervis He stood up. He loped in. His was the feel-good story of the night, much happy-making.

4 Dustin Martin Thirty-four touches is not to be argued with.

3 Daniel Rioli Career-high match goals. Looking pretty confident.

2 Kamdyn McIntosh Liking the cut of his gib.

1 Jason Castagna Work on your accuracy, George, but good on ya.

Unlucky: David Astbury. “The quiet achiever”.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Leaderboard

Votes and notes by Lauren Cameron (@lozzemarine)

Writing this recap was not the only privilege I had bestowed upon me on Sunday, as we (Dad, Nan and I) were invited into Richmond’s Inner Sanctum. It’s a once a year sojourn where Richmond attempts to woo us, giving us a taste of the next level of membership, a dalliance with the upper echelon, in the hope that we’ll upgrade. It’s somewhat flattering.

Sunday morning involved a pre-match briefing with Tim Livingstone and Andrew McQualter, walking on the hallowed turf itself (or at least the astro-turf beside the hallowed turf), a wave from Cotch as he completed a solo warm-up and free fan-tales in a tiny National Storage box.

I was nervous about this game, as we always seem to be when terms such as ‘season-defining’ are bandied around. Sometimes it feels as though importance looms over Richmond like a dark cloud. But I’ll get back to the clouds.

Q1

Clearances?!

I chose to frantically write notes in a small notebook, because I tend to get very caught up in the excitement, and I thought I would forget everything. In the first quarter my notes were mostly: Clearances??!!?!

Not an ideal start by any means, inside 50s 7 to 19. But this quarter didn’t feel as bad as some of our other poor quarters this year. There were little things to take pride in, such as Kamdyn’s desperation, throwing himself at the ball and at Giants willy-nilly. Broady bouncing back up after being kicked in the ribs, moving onto the next contest with barely a wince. Strong marking efforts from Astbury and Vlastuin and tackling pressure from Rioli.

On Astbury (DAAS always), the forearm to the throat of Mathieson last week, followed by the collaring and stern words on Toby Greene this week were almost as impressive as his improved marking. Almost.

Final note for the quarter: I hate Toby Greene.

Q2

The little things.

In our briefing with the coaches, a fan posed a question about Rioli’s output over the last few weeks. The response was that while Dan hasn’t had as much direct scoreboard impact in the second half of the season, his GPS stats had not declined at all, indicating that he is still moving, running and creating.

I don’t like to talk about Cyril when talking about Dan. I don’t think comparisons are fair or necessary, but I did have a little think about Cyril today. In the second quarter Dan Rioli was everywhere, and his possession count and goal tally won’t tell you that. His pressure, his tackling and his presence in marking contests were really important. The little things count.

At the top of the page I’ve written rain and circled it. It was only a drizzle, but it was a start.

We came out more attacking, our pressure lifted, our kicking became more direct. Lambert goaled after being denied a holding the ball call (so maybe he was in Mzungus’ back a little) and the crowd began to lift.

Dusty and Cotch too had lifted, our captain beginning to put his stamp on things with 6 tackles, and a crazy mid-air grab of a ball he had no right to get his hands on. Our Bull bringing the pressure, the breaking of tackles and a goal.

VLAS. Capital letters at the bottom of the page, as Nick puts his body on the line again and again, taking marks and stopping everything that comes near.

I50s 25 a piece.

Q3

Thank goodness for dark clouds.

Desperation and a lift in physicality, our pressure returning to the high standards of earlier this year.

Wet weather has become something of a gift, it rewards brute strength, hard work and quick thinking.

Small moments again – Nankervis bulldozing towards goal, every tap, slap and soccer-kick, Floss marking again and again.

We looked stronger, worked harder, thought quicker.
(That should probably be ‘more quickly’, but it ruins my motif)

Q4

So tense. Can’t take notes. I love Jack.

Notes for the last quarter were brief

Jack was well-held by Davis in the first half, and was pretty well-matched in the air. There is something about Jack and the rain, probably born from soggy Tasmanian mornings. He has always been an incredibly smart player, and when it rains he truly gets to showcase his genius. The swift taps, knock-ons and pokey soccer kicks to advantage – he gives everything he has, heart and soul and sweat and tears. I just love him.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Random Notes:

Toby Nankervis is a very physical player. I may have described him as an animal at some point.

Soldo, on hands and knees, handballed to Prestia through a Giant’s legs. I just thought it was cool.

Short’s kick i50 to Riewoldt was a thing of beauty.

Nathan Broad is a tough cookie, I’m really liking him.

Upon rewatch, in the commentary: “Alex Rance, who will swallow anything that comes near him.” Thanks Huddo.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Votes Votes Votes

5 Dusty – That sharp in-take of breath that echoes around the MCG as he gets near the ball is exquisite. I got an absurd amount of joy from Tom Scully missing a shot on goal, and Dusty kicking one immediately after.

4 Cotch – Just keeps rolling along, doing Cotchy things. Stood up in the second quarter when we really needed a Firestarter. Gets down and dirty, tackles like a maniac, shows crazy cat-like reflexes and never gets a hair out of place.

3 Vlastuin – the great wall of Ranga. Marked everything, crashed packs and was seriously impenetrable. Has an excellent beard.

2 Jack – Worked tirelessly to get himself into the game, and impacted heavily where he could. His work at contests to get the ball to ground was noticeable, and his wet weather footy is impressive, and just plain fun to watch!

1 Kam Mcintosh – In the first quarter we looked sleepy/absent. Kam was noticeable because of his early efforts, his run at stages, and his work on Tom Scully. Loves the wet almost as much as Jack.

Special mentions to Brando for his run and carry, and Georgie who despite having some issues with goals in the last few weeks, laid 9 tackles, showing great desire to have an impact.

Votes are hard you guys. Ah well.

In any weather.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Leaderboard

Notes and votes from Liahm O’Brien [@BigSmoove83]

For many onlookers, this game is one that they’re willing to put into the history books as a forgotten four points. If I were sitting at home on the couch, I’d have probably agreed with them. But this was a rare occasion in which I was able to get along to a Tigers game having flown over from the apple isle early Friday morning. When it comes to watching Richmond live, I tend to see the game with rose coloured glasses on – yesterday was no different. I was able to look past the missed field kicks, small crowd and open roof and see this performance favourably.

Given that the ‘hard to watch’ display of last week was fresh in the minds of our supporters, this week was all about the response. It can be said that the scoreboard did not reflect the total tiger dominance during the course of the game. The game really got rolling in the first quarter, where Jack and his mosquito fleet took charge, while our midfield really putting their heads in the hole, firing out disposals from the contested packs and running rampant. The tackling pressure of Butler in particular was quite impressive. Interesting from the first quarter too was the decision to play Nankervis forward, a move that I really liked. He was lively up forward and created a contest when called upon, until he was called to relieve Ivan Soldo in the ruck.

A fast first term was then followed up by a much slower second quarter. The lions had settled into the game and started to wrestle back some momentum, largely due to the performance of Witherden down back. Coupling this with some costly turnovers from our midfield, the Lions were able to get back into the game….and yet, I still felt that we were in control, even if it meant only taking a slender eight point lead into the break. The brick wall built by Astbury and a third game player in Nathan Broad was pivotal to my confidence. Both men out bodied their opponents and on occasion left them to win another contest further afield – a very encouraging sign.

A comfortable 31 point win was set up by a game breaking third quarter. This was when our stars came out to shine. After a reasonably quiet first half, Dustin Martin tore the Brisbane midfield in half with a damaging display of contested football and Cotchin did much the same. To me, though it was Jack that provided the spark with an impressive snap from the pocket to start the third term. Right in front of the cheer squad of all places, this moment set the tone for the rest of the match. He created something out of nothing and his team mates followed suit. Soon after, Rioli would scrap for a ball in the opposite pocket and punched a ball to the advantage of an oncoming Dan Butler for a major. In the last quarter, Trent Cotchin was left two on one at full forward and somehow he was able to win a 20-80 contest which resulted in a team mate cashing in for a goal. To top this off Dan Rioli got amongst the goals himself with an incredible snap from the pocket after dancing and weaving around 3 opponents.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

In all, this was a typical Richmond result – we dominated in the midfield against a star studded line up, Jack took apart the best opposition defender with four majors and the backline was again resolute. Yet, we weren’t able to cash in on the scoreboard despite a great level of control. I’d call it a ‘nice response’ to last week’s game. It wasn’t our best performance, but at the same time this was far from the worst game I’ve seen from the club. We did what we had to do to win, nothing more and nothing less. Four points is four points….and on to the next one. On that note, here are my vote getters (honourable mentions to Prestia, Broad, Ellis and Caddy).

5 Jack Riewoldt – an absolute game breaking performance. Jack always looked in control of his man Andrews. Not only did he kick four goals but he brought the mosquito fleet into the action with his competition in the air. Kicked an absolute barn burner to set he tone early in the third term.

4 Dustin Martin – forget the turn overs throughout the first half, this guy was unbelievably good. His clearance work was something to marvel at, beating the entire Brisbane midfield brigade by himself. Capped off a very classy performance with two goals and stood up under very close Nick Robertson (booooooooooooo) ‘attention’.

3 David Astbury – a lot has been made about his season and the player coming of age. This game was could be used to highlight the narrative. His great strength was his contested marking, winning numerous one on one duels. Won a heap of favours with the crowd by flying the flag in testing times – very Tiger-ish.

2 Trent Cotchin – another exceptional game, his role in the midfield was excellent again as highlighted by a great third quarter. Another encouraging sign was the amount of time he was able to play in the forward line. Coming out of the goal square, he looked incredibly potent and his competitive efforts were great – I’m hoping he gets more time inside 50.

1 Dan Butler – his game should be the standard setter for our small forward brigade for the remainder of the season. While he kicked three goals, it was his tally of seven tackles that were a game changer. Played a crucial role in keeping the ball inside our attacking half – I don’t know what the blueprint is for the rising star award, but his 20 goals for the season and near four tackles a game have flown right under the radar of the media.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Leaderboard

This was a disgusting performance, right down there in the worst. I have seen teams tank with more purpose and coordination than we showed last night against St Kilda. Before I even sat down to watch, Rance gave away 50 metres to get the headline act Nick Riewoldt up and running. But I was on the couch to see Cotchin give away another 50 (and get reported) for a stupid love-tap to the guts right in front of the umpire. And with that, the tone was set.

Our leaders’ heads were apparently already in September. The preparation for this match with a fellow top-8 side which was coming off 3 wins, was inadequate. There were distractions, but there so often are – they cannot be allowed as an excuse, as they affected both sides.

Our skills were so poor, and showed a lack of care for teammates. We were only down by 4 or 5 goals when self-preservation set in – evidenced by rushed disposals that just referred greater pressure on the recipient. The kicking for goal was criminal; Edwards, Castagna and Prestia all guilty. With a complete lack of scoreboard pressure, and minimal physical pressure, the Saints did as they pleased.

Example; about 5 mins into the 2nd quarter Newnes on the forward flank easily dodged Grigg and Rioli, and seeing the Saints had the numbers around the 50, just launched a bomb in their direction for them to raffle it. Toby Stevens got under it, time passed like treacle, and he dropped it. He picked it up again still unmolested, and then from a standing start weaved around Short and goaled with Cotchin arriving too late to bag him, and other Tigers standing off so they didn’t get ‘Joe-the-Goose’d. We let Stevens look like Leo Messi versus the Burnley Primary School under 10s and I am sure his agent will thank us.

Dusty and Jack gave us very little all night. Jack was at centre-half-back during the early onslaught and Dusty spent time at full-forward, so at least moves were attempted either by Dimma or the players themselves to get them involved. Some younger players who are now regulars had absolute stinkers, and might have to be re-graded as fringe selections.

St Kilda outscored us 9.5 to 0.1 in that 2nd quarter, and we were 82 points down at half time. We tidied up the scoreboard a little and scraped back some percentage in the 2nd half. And that is very important; but for my purposes here, goals and possessions gained after the 4 points were gone count for little.

I wasn’t at the game and I know that the crowd noise that is broadcast is not always a fair reflection of the atmosphere at the ground. Can anyone tell me, after Membrey laid out Grimes with a forearm to the face, did the Tiges crowd boo him? I didn’t hear it – on TV it seemed like the tribe had been cowed into silence, which is an awful thing to say. Membrey went on to kick 5 and seemed to enjoy a pleasant bruise-free night out.

Next week the Brisbane Lions at Etihad again. Very interesting. We are now 2 games ahead of Essendon with similar percentage. Essendon are tenth.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

The Votes

I discussed this with Joe during the game and we agreed a Black Armband approach was required. No votes for anyone.

However; on mature reflection I have decided the integrity of the Benny requires that votes be cast. Even for that inferior bauble the Brownlow (Shane Woewodin has never won the Benny) six votes are awarded even after those dire games where all 44 involved should be sentenced to community service orders.

Often after giving votes we will mention those that were unlucky. No-one was unlucky this week, and these 5 are so lucky they ought to load up on scratchie tickets.

5 votes to David Astbury who stood up pretty well after Grimes went off.

4 votes to Brandon Ellis who took big pack marks in defence in the first half.

3 votes to Kane Lambert who played bravely and didn’t go into his shell.

2 votes to Connor Menadue ditto although he made plenty of mistakes, I liked his run.

1 vote to Shaun Grigg got a lot of the pill and helped out in ruck

Leaderboard