Robin Nahas

Resurgent Tigers Overcome Demons

janetl — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:48:34 -0500

Brook Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA from Australia

A Round 23 clash between two struggling clubs would normally not attract a lot of attention but this round had a high level of importance for both Richmond and Melbourne. The Tigers had seemingly lost their way after an exciting start to the season but, coming off a thumping 47 point win against perennial finalist Sydney, they appeared to have their mojo back. If they could pull off a win against Melbourne – a feat they had not managed since Round 18, 2009 – some momentum could be regained as the Tigers move into a very important off-season. Melbourne on the other hand, has had its season torn apart over the past month, going from a highly-touted dynasty built around Trengove, Scully and Watts to a team which sacked its coach after some abysmal late season performances. Amazingly, the Demons could still mathematically make the Finals with a win over Richmond and games against cellar-dwelling Gold Coast and Port Adelaide to follow.

The Tigers have struggled in first quarters all season, winning just three out of 20 prior to this game. As the siren sounded, that statistic became irrelevant. The Richmond midfield, led by Shane Tuck and Nathan Foley, hunted the footy with tenacity, and when they moved the ball into the forward line they worked hard to keep it there. Ex-Demon Brad Miller was the target as high profile forward Jack Riewoldt played decoy, and the Tigers had three goals on the board within seven minutes. The Tigers continued to hound the Demon defenders with excellent forward pressure, but slippery midfielder Jack Trengove managed a goal against the tide for the Demons. Colin Sylvia followed up with a second before Richmond once again began to dominate the stoppages. The Tigers were their own worst enemy in front of goal however, failing to convert gettable chances and extend their lead significantly. When the siren sounded for quarter time, Richmond held a 14 point lead that should have been much greater given their dominance around the ground during the quarter.

Melbourne worked harder after the first break, but could not get playmaker Aaron Davey into the contest. Davey, playing his 150th game, was being well blanketed by Richmond’s Bachar Houli, so much so that Davey had just one possession to half time. The frustration continued to build for Davey who not only gave away a costly free kick but felled Richmond wingman Mitch Morton in an incident that earned him a one match sanction from the AFL Match Review Panel. Sylvia, despite being reported in the first quarter for a hit on young Tiger Jayden Post (resulting in a two match sanction from the MRP), was sensational for the Demons throughout the quarter. He continued to accumulate possessions and even managed to take a screamer of a mark over Tiger defender Matt Dea, converting the resulting kick into one of his five goals for the afternoon. It was goal for goal with Sylvia and Liam Jurrah prominent for Melbourne until late in the quarter when Richmond regained the ascendancy with consecutive goals through Jake King, Angus Graham and Miller. At half time, the Tigers had a handy 26 point lead which could have been a lot more considering their domination of the inside 50m count, 30 entries to 18.

Melbourne coach Todd Viney tinkered with his charges for the third quarter, moving the frustrated Davey into defense along with the quiet Jack Watts. The Demons burst out of the blocks, outworking the Tigers in the contested possessions. After just four minutes of play, the Demons had two goals on the board and were closing fast. Against the run of play, Dustin Martin managed a freak dribbled goal for the Tigers to keep them ahead but Melbourne continued to dominate possession. Nathan Jones for the Demons was brilliant, having numerous possessions and popping up for a couple of goals to put Melbourne in front. With a 7.1 to 1.3 third quarter, Melbourne had turned the game on its head by outdoing a rattled Richmond both in contests and tackling and causing a 34 point turnaround. At three quarter time the Demons led by eight points and looked to have the game in its grasp.

Richmond’s character would be tested in the final quarter. Livewire Robin Nahas put the icing on some nice work by Trent Cotchin in the center of the ground to record the first goal of the final term. Substitute Jeromey Webberley was activated for the Tigers with immediate results. Webberley streamed down the flank and thumped a 50 meter long goal that put Richmond back in front. Looking more like the Tiger outfit from the first half, they were working hard in and under the packs and applying hard tackles on their Melbourne counterparts. Sylvia rose to the challenge, shooting on goal to put Melbourne back in front by two points. Richmond’s Brett Deledio had had a very slow day by his lofty standards but his desperate smother off a Melbourne boot in the goal square saved a sure goal. It was a cracking finish as the lead see-sawed back and forward. King, Martin and Shane Edwards combined to get the ball in the hands of Cotchin who bullocked his way through traffic to goal for the Tigers. Richmond had the momentum but missed several chances to put the game beyond doubt until a bit of magic from full forward Riewoldt who goaled and extended the Tigers’ lead to nine points. Daniel Jackson and Edwards were in everything for the Tigers, and when young gun Martin managed a terrific goal while standing up in a tackle, the result was all but sealed. Melbourne managed two late goals through Sylvia and Jones but Richmond kept the lead and ran out deserving winners by just seven points.

The Tigers will be buoyed by two solid wins and travel to Adelaide in Round 23 to face a rejuvenated Crows’ outfit that will be a big test for Damien Hardwick’s young squad. For the Demons, the year continues to go pear-shaped with any chance of a Finals berth now completely snuffed out. Melbourne finish the season with games against the lowly-placed Gold Coast and Port Adelaide, both games they should pencil in as potential wins.

Scoreboard
Melbourne: 4.0 7.1 14.2 17.8 (110)
Richmond: 6.2 10.9 11.12 17.15 (117)

Best players
Melbourne: Sylvia, Jones, McKenzie, Bartram, Jamar
Richmond: Foley, Miller, Houli, Tuck, Martin, Rance

Tenacious Tigers Top Struggling Swans

janetl — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:43:49 -0500

Brook Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA from Australia

Sydney arrived at the MCG for the last game of Round 21 expecting to strengthen their Finals claims with a victory over Richmond. The Tigers have had a disappointing second half to the season and, while looking to regain some respect from the football public on the back of a six game losing streak, were not given any chance against the Swans.

Sydney had added the consistent Jarrad McVeigh and youngster Brett Meredith for the clash, while the Tigers welcomed back key position prospect Jayden Post and impressive first year defender Jake Batchelor to bolster an inexperienced defense that has been under siege in recent games.

Perfect weather greeted the teams as they ran on to the hallowed MCG turf and as proceedings got underway, it was Richmond who looked the hungrier of the combatants, dominating possession in the first ten minutes of the game. The Tigers entered their forward 50 consistently early but failed to make the most of their opportunities with poor disposal marring what could have been a sensational start. Diminutive Robin Nahas did manage the opening goal for Richmond but the Swans worked their way back into the play and kicked their first goal through the in-form Adam Goodes. Dustin Martin had the chance to put the Tigers further ahead but inexplicably dropped a perfect pass from Jack Riewoldt just 20 meters out from the Tiger goals. The frustration for the Tigers was compounded when Josh Kennedy snapped a goal for the Swans after some nifty work from Goodes. As the quarter time siren sounded the Swans led by eight points after a quarter in which Richmond dominated possession.

The second quarter started off as a scrappy affair, but the Tigers worked hard with Martin picking up a lot of the football. Trent Cotchin was relishing his role as stand-in Captain and racked up numerous contested possessions at the ruck stoppages. Full forward Riewoldt was pushed up the ground in an attempt to gain some touch, while Sydney’s Goodes had his influence quelled up forward by the much improved Alex Rance. Ex-Essendon midfield battler Bachar Houli once again made the Tigers’ recruiting staff look good with some blitzing runs out of half-back, waltzing through the centre at one stage and slotting a sensational goal from outside the 50 meter arc. Coach Damien Hardwick had clearly instructed his players to take the game on and despite some costly errors they gained the ascendancy over a somewhat flat Sydney outfit. At half time the Tigers held a tenuous 11 point lead, enough to have Swans fans concerned that their Finals tickets may not be stamped just yet.

After the long break, it was Brett Deledio who joined the red hot Houli in keeping Richmond’s running game going. Sydney’s Kennedy looked ready to fire up the Swans with some solid marking and fine finishing. While on the ball Goodes was being controlled by the tag team of Shane Tuck and Daniel Jackson and this match up proving crucial in reducing the influence of the Swans’ number one game breaker. With the game in the balance, young Matt Dea received a free kick right on the 50 meter arc for the Tigers. Sydney coach John Longmire would have been mortified when Richmond’s best long distance goal kicker Deledio was allowed to waltz alongside Dea, receive a casual handball and launch a perfect drop punt through the sticks to restore the Tigers’ two goal buffer. A pinpoint pass from Mitch Farmer on to the chest of the lively Nahas, running back towards goal, set up a snap goal to stretch the lead to 19 points and the Tiger Army was roaring in approval at the thought of a potential upset.

As the final quarter commenced the scoreboard showed Richmond leading 8.12 to 5.11. The Swans had the hard work ahead of them with Richmond not only having the momentum but a boisterous home crowd behind them. Sydney was desperate to score the first goal and increased their pressure on Richmond. As Goodes ran towards goal it looked like a sure six points. Enter the best on ground Houli who lunged and brought Goodes down for a holding the ball decision that relieved the pressure and showed the desperation the Tigers had been lacking for weeks. When the Tigers brought the ball into their own forward line where Riewoldt was starting to have an influence, a howler of a mistake by Sydney defender Heath Grundy allowed Brad Miller to tackle him for another holding the ball decision in favour of the home team. Miller lined up and calmly slotted a goal to extend the Tigers’ lead to 26 points and the game looked gone for Sydney. Martin, Riewoldt and substitute Mitch Morton joined the celebrations and slotted through majors. While the Swans managed a couple of goals through the solid Ryan O’Keefe and Sean Bird, Richmond had the game well and truly wrapped up. When the final siren sounded, Richmond had comprehensively dented the Swans' Finals hopes with a 43 point demolition.

Sydney now has to hold off Fremantle and North Melbourne for a Finals berth and fans must be wondering where the fire was from their team as it was the Tigers, not the Swans, who looked like the team looking for September action. The Swans now have their Finals aspirations on the line as they face St Kilda in Round 22 and the Geelong juggernaut at Skilled Stadium in Round 23 before a more winnable Round 24 match against Brisbane.

Richmond on the other hand had many positives to come out of the win. Cotchin, Houli and Deledio were nothing short of sensational for their club. The continued development of Rance as a key back man and some nice cameos from Martin and Batchelor (the latter unfortunately sustaining a shoulder injury late in the game) are giving Tiger fans something to hang on to going into the last three rounds of the season.

Scoreboard
Richmond: 1.4 5.8 8.12 14.15 (99)
Sydney:   2.6 3.9 5.11  7.14 (56)

Best Players
Richmond: Houli, Cotchin, Deledio, Rance, Martin, Nahas
Sydney:   Kennedy, Hannebery, O’Keefe, Mumford, Goodes

Happy West Coast 25th Anniversary

rickb — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:30:33 -0500

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium, Perth

In recent years Patersons Stadium has been a fortress for the West Coast Eagles against Richmond with 12 of the last 14 matches going West Coast’s way. The Richmond Tigers had been given no chance of winning the Round 20 encounter particularly with the Eagles celebrating 25 years in the competition and knocking on the door of a Final Four berth. Tiger fans hoped that with nothing to lose, Richmond might come out with a hunger to play and rain on the Eagles’ parade.

First on the board was a Jack Darling mark and goal for the Eagles. Richmond replied immediately when Dustin Martin speared a pass on to the chest of Brad Miller who kicked straight. The ever-improving Brad Ebert read the ball off hands and strolled in for an easy goal. Much of the play was in the Eagles’ forward half but Richmond made the most of their entries into their 50 meter zone, kicking the next two goals against the flow of play. The first came from ex-Eagle Mitch Morton, who dribbled a long kick through the goals. Miller kicked his second from a mark. Richmond took the lead at this point and the Tigers had their tails up. Unlike past weeks, there was an air of determination about them and a belief that they might just take this game on. Mark Nicoski soon stamped his authority on the contest with two goals from free kicks. Ebert scored his second after the ball traveled the full length of the ground in quick order, but when Tyrone Vickery made the most of quick ball movement out of the middle, his goal had Richmond trailing by only seven points at the first change.

Richmond was put on the back foot when Quinten Lynch took a strong mark and kicked a 50 yard goal to start the second quarter. Speedy Robin Nahas did his job roving the packs and picked up the Tigers’ fifth goal for the game. From that point on however, it was the Nic Naitanui show. He took a spectacular mark on the wing in front of the appreciative Eagles’ members and the ball soon found itself in the capable hands of Dean Cox who kicked a goal. Nicoski scored his third from a Lynch mark and handball and it looked like that might be the end for Richmond. However Vickery steadied the visitors with a goal from a good transition up the ground by his team mates to keep the Tigers in touch. The Eagles were dominating in the clearances and also benefiting from a fairly lopsided free kick count. Naitanui was given a free kick for a ruck infringement and scored his first goal of the game. Darling scored from another free kick and the Eagles were running away with the game. Naitanui received a bullet pass from Luke Shuey after a turnover and his goal gave the Eagles a handy 34 point lead at the half time break. West Coast was winning the ball away from the bounces both in the center and at stoppages, and Shuey was carving up the opposition with his ball use.

One of the few weaknesses with the Eagles this year has been their third quarter performances and a tendency to lose momentum and be outscored. Richmond would have been aware of this and came out to start the quarter with enthusiasm. Ebert scored first for the Eagles but Jake King got one back. His good roving skills and accurate kick around his body was a tonic for his team. Ebert and Nicoski both scored goals to restore the balance but Jack Riewoldt finally broke free from the Darren Glass clamp and came into the game. He kicked his first goal deep into the quarter giving the Tigers a slight sniff of possibility. The Richmond coaching staff sensed it too, activating substitute Reece Conca for Daniel Jackson to get fresh legs into the contest. As has become the norm, once one side brings in their substitute, the other follows and Chris Masten soon replaced Matt Rosa for the Eagles. Shane Tuck scored back to back goals for Richmond to bring the margin back to 33 points. A 50 meter penalty for encroaching on the mark gave Darling a gift for his third goal. Daniel Kerr is slowly returning to his best after ongoing injury issues and had been influential in farming the ball out to his team mates all day. His read of the ball off the pack and subsequent goal restored the gap for the Eagles but there was still some determined opposition to contend with from the Tigers. Brett Deledeo scored the goal of the day when he took possession of the ball at the 50 meter line and snapped across his body to see the ball sail straight through the middle. Darling, who is looking more and more comfortable as a key West Coast forward, floated across and took a mark on the goal line and kicked truly for his fourth. It was now or never for Richmond and Riewoldt didn’t let them down. He kicked two more goals, one with 14 seconds to go while Bachar Houli added to the score when he goaled from a 50 meter penalty free kick. The Tigers had clawed their way back into the contest to trail by 27 points at the final break.

West Coast’s forward press was working well at the start of the final term. Shannon Hurn drifted up from the back line to score a rare goal that started a succession of Eagles’ goals. West Coast kicked the next four goals to snuff out any chance of a Tigers’ resurgence. Nicoski kicked two more to take his tally to six for the game. Mark LeCras finally got on the board when he marked a pass after a great run and carry by Patrick McGinnity along the outer wing. Shuey finished up a best on ground performance with a goal after being awarded a free kick for a high tackle. Riewoldt helped his chances for the Coleman Medal (for the most goals kicked for the season) when he marked and goaled with 14 seconds left on the clock.

In the end it was a party, as the Eagles won their 25th Anniversary game by a commanding 57 points and kept their Final Four chances very much alive. To their credit, Richmond never gave up the fight but were outclassed by their opponents when it mattered. The Eagles have a good draw on the run to the Finals, playing teams that are below them all the way home. Richmond is out of the Finals race and will begin to concentrate on next year and ponder on what happened to their promising start to the season.

To view David Woodley's photos of this match, go to: http://www.afana.com/drupal5/category/image_galleries/2011_season/2011_s...

Scoreboard
West Coast: 5.2 11.6 17.8 22.15 (147)
Richmond    4.1  6.2 13.5 14.6   (90)

Best Players
West Coast: L Shuey, D Kerr, M Nicoski, A Gaff, Q Lynch, N Naitanui
Richmond:   S Tuck, N Foley, T Vickery, B Deledio, M Dea

Stirring Tigers Stun Fremantle

janetl — Tue, 10 May 2011 05:14:31 -0500

Janet Linn reporting for AFANA from Western Australia

In a season-defining win, the Richmond Tigers have come of age, defeating one of the most talented and improved sides in the AFL, the Fremantle Dockers, and recording their third victory in a row. After many seasons at the bottom of the Ladder, the young Richmond side has shown that it is heading in the right direction and that it may well upset stronger and more experienced teams on the road to improvement. Fremantle is the eighth team of eleven coming off the bye, to lose their next game, causing fans and experts to ponder the effects – positive and negative – of the new fixturing, which includes two byes for each teams at various points of the season.

Prior to this match, Richmond had not won a first quarter and had played catch up football as a result. Fremantle was keen to have a win at the MCG, which is a ground they have not had much exposure to. Their pre-game strategies would have centered around tagging brilliant second year midfielder Dustin Martin out of the game and improving their efficiency on goal, unimpressive so far this season.

Fans were treated to a fantastic first quarter contest. Richmond showed early that they were on song with a quick goal to pocket rocket Robin Nahas who has been on fire in the past three games. Fremantle nailed the quick reply after a terrific mark by its own powerhouse small man, Hayden Ballantyne. He passed to Garrick Ibbotson and the Dockers had their first. At the 13 minute mark it was seven points apiece. Fremantle forward Chris Mayne, who has been in sparkling form, had two shots on goal and missed both, letting Richmond off the hook and into the game. More points followed to see Fremantle one goal seven, and with past history (including Grand Finals) showing how wasteful starts to games can cost teams games, this was a worrying sign for the Dockers. New Tiger Bachar Houli (recruited from Essendon) made a great run though the center and followed up with a huge 60 yard kick for a team-lifting goal. It was a tied game at 13 points each. Stephen Hill showed a flash of brilliance with his first impact on the game but his shot on goal missed and Tyrone Vickery missed a sitter at the Richmond end. Vickery made amends minutes later when he was on the end of a passage of play featuring Nathan Foley and Richmond captain Chris Newman. The set shot on goal went straight through the middle and it was the Tigers by a goal. Kepler Bradley proved yet again what an acquisition he has been for Fremantle when he kicked a great goal out of a congested pack in the forward line and the quarter ended with the scores even at 20 points.

Goals were traded back and forth during an exciting second quarter. Hill struck first for the Dockers before Trent Cotchin answered to even the score. Nahas ran hard from Richmond’s defensive zone to be involved again in the forward 50 and post a terrific goal. Nathan Fyfe combined with captain Matthew Pavlich to answer for Fremantle. Cotchin was in the thick of the play yet again when Greg Broughton was penalized for a high fend off and Cotchin made him pay with a goal. Desperate play by the ever-dangerous Ballantyne was the catalyst for a Fremantle revival with goals to himself then Bradley. The Dockers were up by four points when the Tigers decided they were still in the match. Richmond's fan favorite Jake King scored two goals and Vickery contributed another to give the Tigers a 14 point break. Not to be outdone, Ballantyne showed his brilliance, making something out of nothing with a long goal. It was Aussie Rules at its best as the Dockers refused to surrender. In the last two minutes of the quarter Mayne and Adam McPhee goaled to give the Dockers a two point lead going into the half-time break.

Games are often won or lost in the third quarter (dubbed the Premiership quarter) and this match proved no exception. The lead seesawed with great competitive football all over the ground. Shaun Grigg worked hard to get the ball into Jack Riewoldt’s reliable hands and the Tigers had the all-important first goal. Cotchin’s goal on the run from outside 50 was a gem and put the Tigers nine points ahead. A determined Pavlich clearance gave the reliable Bradley a shot on goal and he didn’t let the team down. Nick Lower followed up quickly and the Dockers looked set to threaten when a steadying six pointer to Brad Miller returned the three point lead to the Tigers. Brett Deledio’s inspirational running goal from 60 yards out was the sign that it was game on. Another goal to the dependable Bradley and it was a three point margin again. At the 15 minute mark, Fremantle was forced to activate its substitute, Dylan Roberton, to replace the fiery Ballantyne and the momentum shifted the Tigers’ way. Three late goals to Riewoldt, Graham and Vickery gave Richmond a 20 point break, the largest for the game and their scintillating eight goal quarter set the scene for a huge upset.

Fans were being treated to a great game as the unfancied Richmond gave their all to compete against a more experienced Fremantle team, hopeful of Finals action in September. Richmond exchanged Matt White (who had been shaky after a heavy third quarter clash) for new look substitute Ben Nason. Nason formerly had a head full of blonde dreadlocks but was shorn during the week to raise money for breast cancer in honor of his mother who is battling the disease. The Dockers defended grimly for the first five minutes of the last quarter and although they continued to attack with intent, the Tigers defense stood tall. Two desperate lunging efforts to smother by Batchelor and McGuane deep in the Fremantle attacking zone proved the game changers. Cotchin kicked two goals in quick succession and the Tigers were away. Nahas scored two more for a bag of four in his best game for the Tigers and Houli and Riewoldt chipped in for another goal apiece.

In the final analysis, the Dockers fell victim to the “curse of the bye” and while they tried hard all day, they ran out of legs in the last quarter and were eventually overrun by a hungrier opponent. Fremantle is too good a side not to rebound but with the Western Derby coming up in Round 8 and a long list of injured players, they have cause for concern.

Richmond players have been fierce in recent weeks with their endeavor and their toughness in tackling and running the ball on at all costs, showcasing their surging self-belief. Whether this young side can maintain this intensity remains to be seen but the signs for the club are encouraging. After a long time without success, Richmond members and fans are daring to believe that the Tiger Army will see Finals action in the not too distant future.

Scoreboard
Richmond  3.2 9.7 17.7  23.10 (148)
Fremantle 2.8 9.9 13.11 14.15 (99)

Best players
Richmond  R Nahas, T Cotchin, S Edwards, B Houli, J Batchelor, N Foley
Fremantle A Sandilands, S Hill, K Bradley, C Pearce, M Pavlich

Dockers Honor Diggers

rickb — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 06:48:55 -0500

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

Anzac Day football has a special meaning for Australians. The traditional playing of the Last Post in front of 38,000 silent people will raise goose-bumps on the arms of anyone who is fortunate enough to be present. The winless Richmond came into this game with a good record against Fremantle, having won their last four encounters. Last year Fremantle were humbled by their opponents on most occasions. This season so far their attitude and skill levels have improved and they appear capable of beating any team in the League. The Tigers arrived in Perth at the bottom of the Ladder but who knows what any team is capable of when the blood is up and the ANZAC battle cry is ringing in its ears.

Robin Nahas got the visitors away to a quick start with a goal and from this point on it was one-way traffic. Fremantle squandered opportunities in front of goal and seemed to panic as the Tigers dominated the quarter. There were turnovers and costly skill errors on both sides but Richmond’s work rate was up and they were prepared to chase and tackle with vigor. Accurate passing and courage at the ball saw Alex Rance with two goals. A late mark and conversion to Jack Riewoldt had the Richmond Tigers with their tails in the air and a commanding lead of 26 points at the first change.

As he has done in the past, Docker Captain Matthew Pavlich decided that enough was enough and within 2 minutes of the start of the second quarter he kicked a goal. This gave his teammates some heart and they began to work their way back into the game. Richmond’s aggressiveness and skill level fell away and the standard of the game deteriorated to a scrambling and uninspiring spectacle. With large packs and frequent stoppages, there was little chance for Fremantle to settle into the style of play that has set them on their winning streak. Some dogged forward movements saw Pavlich and Ryan Crowley score the next goals as the quarter fizzled out. Richmond rarely made it into their forward 50 meter arc and managed to score a paltry three points in 30 minutes of play. When the siren sounded there was a melee in the center of the ground with every player and the umpires involved. It was the most action the crowd had seen in the match so far. However it was largely a waste of energy as there were no real punches thrown.

Fremantle came out with renewed intent in the second half, and when Paul Duffield converted from in front of the big sticks, they had the lead for the first time in the game. Rookie Nathan Fyfe took a high-flying mark in the forward pocket and scored his first goal in AFL football. When Aaron Sandilands followed up with a goal of his own, the floodgates opened. Hayden Ballantyne had been fairly quiet in his attacking game but stronger in his offensive role and kicked two quick goals. The Dockers had by then scored the last eight goals in a row. A late rally by the Tigers saw them score three of the last four goals giving their supporters hope for a late charge.

Shane Tuck’s goal early in the last quarter had the Tigers within 14 points and looking dangerous. The game was going goal for goal but it was clear that the Tigers had run out of gas. With help from new kid on the block Ballantyne, the old firm of Pavlich and Paul Hasleby kicked the last four goals to put the game out of Richmond's reach. In the end the scoreline flattered the visitors because if Fremantle had kicked straighter, the game would have been decided much earlier.

Fremantle now find themselves comfortably placed in the top eight. Richmond languishes on the bottom of the Ladder. In spite of small signs that all is not lost for them, it seems that the other sides in the competition have all the answers when the Tigers come to town.

Scoreboard
Fremantle 1.5 4.12 10.19 15.22 (112)
Richmond  6.1 6.4   9.5  11.7   (73)

Best
Fremantle M Pavlich, A Sandilands, L McPharlin, M Barlow,
          S Hill, H Ballantyne
Richmond  C Newman, B Deledio, T Cotchin, S Tuck, D Martin,
          N Foley

Demons Character Win

janetl — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 07:16:48 -0500

Janet Linn reporting for AFANA from the MCG, Melbourne

After a nightmare week in the media spotlight, beleaguered Richmond Tigers coach Terry Wallace found no salvation in Sunday's must win game against the Melbourne Demons. Week-long headlines prophesying Wallace's demise should Richmond fail to produce a winning performance were read by all it seems except the Melbourne football team. Twenty-two players, most in their fledgling years of AFL football, ran on to the MCG in red and black Melbourne guernseys. The youthful Demons came with but one aim - to play the best brand of football they could muster. Not only did they turn a deaf ear to the roars of the Tiger Army, they turned the footy tipping world upside down in a display of character football for which the Tigers had no answers. At last the starved Demons have something to build upon for the future.

Before the game began, both Melbourne and Richmond had moved off the bottom of the Ladder to make way for the Fremantle Dockers who have also struggled to get past an abysmal start to the 2009 season. In the first quarter at the MCG, the skills on display were certainly those of two of the bottom sides with clangers and turnovers the order of the day. The game began with a free kick to Richmond before the ball had even been bounced. Melbourne player Matthew Warnock was reported for striking Tom Hislop who received a 50 meter penalty and passed the ball to Mitch Morton who registered the Tigers first major. Matthew Richardson and Brett Deledio squandered easy opportunities before a Nathan Brown free kick brought up Richmond's second goal. Both teams mishandled the ball early but poor skills became the order of the day for the Tigers and the Demons were able to gain momentum through some very messy Richmond turnovers and skill errors. Brad Green and Nathan Jones scored six pointers for Melbourne and there were some very gettable shots wasted as Melbourne racked up a total of four "posters" (when the ball hits the goal post) for the quarter. At the quarter time break three points separated the two sides.

Melbourne broke the game apart in the second quarter, dominating the center possessions and moving the football quickly into their forward line. Brock McLean, Matthew Bate, Brad Miller and Colin Sylvia combined well in an eight goal onslaught by the Demons. Richmond seemed completely overwhelmed by the deluge as the Melbourne players played constructive team football, marking everything that came their way, finding space to lead, kicking to a loose man, running hard and looking for opportunities to score. It took Richmond over half the quarter to score but when they did it came through a handpass from veteran Richardson to first gamer Andrew Collins who kicked his first goal in AFL football. They repeated the play minutes later for Collins' second goal and a Richo assist. With only 13 points separating the teams, it appeared the Tigers had revived but it was to no avail. Lynden Dunn and Matthew Bate goaled for the Demons to return the lead to 25 points and a Brad Miller snap on the siren made it a 31 point margin at the long break.

An early third quarter goal to Michael Newton and an inspirational goal by Aaron Davey made Richmond's task look impossible with the Demons' hard running and fierce endeavor giving them an unbeatable edge. The quarter was interrupted by an unusual accident. One of the central field umpires was injured and had to be carried from the ground and the diversion seemed to refuel the Richmond tank. Young Tiger Robin Nahas sparked a revival with a handy goal assist followed by a magnificent solo effort on goal, narrowing the margin to 27 points. When Melbourne gave away a 50 meter penalty resulting in a goal to Richardson, Tiger fans saw some light at the end of the tunnel but another shocking turnover in defense gave Newton an easy shot on goal and the quarter ended with Melbourne 28 points ahead. Richmond had more disposals for the quarter than the Demons and for the most part their performance was better but they could not make an impression on the scoreboard. Melbourne looked set to score their first victory since Round 20, 2008.

Richmond opened the last quarter with three chances to goal before back man Kelvin Moore finally slotted through a much-needed major. With the Tigers intent on a comeback, Melbourne steadied with goals from Neville Jetta and Ricky Petterd to get back to a 26 point lead. Brett Deledio made something out of nothing to narrow the margin to 21 points with six and a half minutes remaining. The Tigers had their chances with Riewoldt and McGuane goaling but missed shots from Richardson and Morton summed up the Richmond players' day. It was a case of much too little, much too late. Melbourne ran out winners by eight points although this small margin did not reflect their better play and superior attitude.

In the final analysis, Melbourne showed determination and turned it into belief. Richmond showed a fragile psyche and turned a golden opportunity to kick start their season into humiliation, putting the club into the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The Tigers were a sorry sight leaving the ground and coach Wallace, grim-faced and no doubt confounded, is left to face another week of heavy scrutiny from within and outside the football club.

Scoreboard
Melbourne 2.6 10.7 13.11 14.16 (100)
Richmond  2.3  5.6  9.7  13.14 (92)

Best
Melbourne C Sylvia, M Newton, A Davey, C Bruce, B Miller
Richmond  J Bowden, N Foley, M Richardson, A Rance, A Collins