ROUND 7 - RICHMOND defeated SYDNEY - S.C.G. (AWAY) 1.5.04 RICHMOND 4.1 5.3 8.3 10.7 (67) SYDNEY 5.4 6.5 7.6. 8.6 (54) Goals: Richmond: Richardson 7 Stafford Gaspar Brown. Sydney: Hall 3 Saddington 2 Bolton O'Keefe Goodes. Best: Richmond: Richardson Brown Campbell Ottens Tivendale Newman Hall. Sydney: Williams O'Keefe Hall Kennelly Mathews. Umpires: Stevic Schmitt Wenn. Attendance: 23,014 Just over 23,000 made their way on a rainy and windy Sydney Sunday afternoon to the S.C.G. to see whether Richmond could back up again after its nail-biting win over Hawthorn last week or falter to a up and down Sydney side that had lost it's last two games. The forecast was for rain so it would be interesting to see how this affected Sydney's high-possession gameplan and whether in terms of skill level it would even up the contest. A late change for Tigers was Bowden in for the injured Fleming who had hurt himself at training late in the week. Sydney won the toss and choose to kick with the wind. Just as the game began the clouds began to open up. Richmond started with Richo as expected in the goalsquare on Craig Bolton, Otto in the ruck and AK on the dangerous Goodes. Razor Hall had the task at full-back on namesake Barry Hall. Like last week Richmond jumped out of blocks with a goal to Richo within the first 30 seconds but Sydney responded a few minutes later with one of their own. The initial stages were fairly even with the team that got the center clearance immediately sending the footy well within their forward 50 as is typical on the small S.C.G. As a result, Richo was too big and too strong for his Swans opponent and had 3 by mid-way through the first quarter. The Tigers were more than matching the Swans in getting their hands on the footy and were doing well into the breeze but some dumb turnovers spoiled their hard work and resulted in Swans' goals as the quarter progressed. Fortunately for Richmond, Richo bagged his fourth of the quarter and the Tigers were only down by 9 points at the first change. Richmond had the wind in the second quarter but it was the Swans who were winning the clearances and forcing the Tigers to go wide and indirect. Luckily the Richmond defence, marshalled by Captain Cambo with good work from Razor and AK (and getting numbers back), were able to hold back the tide. The game had become very scrappy with plenty of errors and turnovers by both sides. As a result scoring opportunities dried up with only a goal a piece to show for 30 minutes of footy. This suited the Swans although both sides would have been disappointed - Richmond for wasting the breeze and Sydney for wasting a period of dominance to lead by only 8 points at the main break. The Tigers needed to keep their workrate up to stay with the Swans who now had the breeze. The game continued to be bogged as the ball became as slippery as a piece of soap. There were a number of "all-ins", ball-ups and throw-ins as neither side could make a break either in general play or on the scoreboard. That was until the Richo kicked into gear again. A bullet pass from Krakouer gave Richo his 5th to put us only 3 points down. Richo marked again then chipped the ball over to Gas in the goalsquare to put the Tigers in front. He then followed up with an inspirational goal that only the Richo we know could pull off. He took possession of the footy at the edge of the centre square and played on bouncing the ball in the wet and then from outside 50 slotted home a booming stab pass into the wind through the eye-diddle-diddle. Sydney got one back but Richmond lead by 3 points at the final break and now had the breeze (although it wasn't as strong as earlier in the game). The wet weather was suiting the Tigers as they were more desparate in the clinches while the Swans persisted with trying to play dry high-possession footy and ultimately failing. Barry Hall put Sydney back in front early in the last quarter but the Tigers lifted all over the ground and retook the lead through a brilliant snap from Brown. Richmond's pressure was denying Sydney any possession pass the centre line. The Tigers had their chances to seal the game before finally doing so through you guessed it - Richo - via his seventh. Richmond then played down the clock to finish 13 points up and ran out the game derserved winners. < BACK >