Tigers hold on for win No.18Jon Pierik
The Age
25 Aug 2018"It's unfinished (business) for us at the moment. There is a hunger there hasn't been satisfied yet. We are certainly looking forward to the end of the year," Riewoldt said.
The defending champions know they will have to lift their intensity come week one of the finals, for the opening half of this clash was bruise-free football. The Tigers had only eight tackles to quarter-time, and 19 to the main break. Their work-rate was down, and this allowed the Dogs to use the ball well.
"I spoke to the players about it - as tough as it is, I can sit there and make it as important as you want, and you hope the players understand the importance, but the reality is, it was a dead rubber," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.
"We probably played a little bit like that. That's not being disrespectful to the Bulldogs. I thought they were by far the better side ... they played a really attacking brand of footy, controlled the ball really well, but we just weren't to the level we should be. If we play like that in a fortnight's time, we will get beaten, no doubt."
To their credit, the Dogs were determined to finish their season with four straight wins, and were well led by Jack Macrae, who finished with 43 disposals, Josh Dunkley and Lachie Hunter.
Hayden Crozier was also busy, while Billy Gowers was lively up forward. Patrick Lipinski highlighted the Dogs' commitment when he was crunched in a heavy clash involving a teammate and Nick Vlastuin in the final term. He returned to the bench by the final siren.
Mitch Wallis and Jordan Roughead played perhaps their final games for the Dogs. Wallis, who wants to remain at the Whitten Oval, had 23 disposals, but Roughead was barely sighted.
When the contest was there to be won before a crowd of 56,998, the Tigers got the job done, extending their record winning streak at the MCG to 21.
Riewoldt began the round with a three-goal lead in the Coleman Medal race. He had a quiet first half but exploded after half-time. Martin was particularly keen to find him at every opportunity, and even orchestrated Riewoldt to lead wide, mark and goal in the final term.
Martin finished with 33 touches, including nine clearances, continuing his strong finish to the season. Does a second Brownlow Medal beckon?
Dion Prestia, returning from injury, was superb through the midfield, while ruckman Toby Nankervis was typically workmanlike, and enjoyed a deserved goal. Reece Conca was diligent and should hold his spot for the finals.
The Dogs, however, refused to buckle, even when the Riewoldt show took hold in the final term. Goals to Wallis and Gowers helped to drag them to within four points with just over three minutes remaining. Youngster Brad Lynch then had a chance to pinch victory with a minute remaining but he hit the post from just inside the boundary.
"We challenged them. Obviously, they are a very good side. We come away pretty disappointed, a little bit gutted, about not getting the result but semi fulfilled that we didn't play too bad," Dogs coach Luke Beveridge said.
There were 11 combined goals in a free-flowing opening term. The Dogs booted six straight to take the lead - their best opening term of the year. Macrae and Hunter got the Dogs rolling, while Lynch drilled the first goal of his career, and added another for good measure.
For the Tigers, Daniel Rioli provided a moment of brilliance when he dodged and weaved through traffic and handballed to Jack Graham, who booted his third for the term.
It was all too nice, as the Dogs extended their lead to 17 points early in the second term. Martin had a moment when he perhaps could have gone harder at a marking contest. Fortunately, the ball fell free, and he won a free kick against Aaron Naughton - and booted his first goal - for holding the ball.
The Tigers threatened to take control but the Dogs refused to buckle and retained the lead at the main break.
"We always say when you are playing against an opponent that is recognised and respected in the way the Tigers are now, it is a good opportunity to see how you stack up, and we stacked up pretty well today," Beveridge said.
"That will give us a spring in our step as we have a break and then turn our minds to how we are going to prepare for 2019."
RICHMOND 5.1 7.7 12.8 15.8 (98)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 6.0 8.3 11.6 14.11 (95)
Goals:
Richmond: J Riewoldt 5 J Graham 3 J Castagna 2 D Martin D Rioli J Caddy K McIntosh T Nankervis.
Western Bulldogs: B Gowers 3 B Lynch 2 J Dunkley 2 B Williams E Richards F Greene J Macrae J Schache J Trengove M Wallis
Best:
Richmond: Martin, Prestia, Reiwoldt, Nankervis, Graham.
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Hunter, Dunkley, Crozier, Bontempelli, Daniel
Umpires: Justin Schmitt, Troy Pannell, Eleni Glouftsis
Official Crowd: 56,998 at MCG
VOTES:8: Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
8: Dustin Martin (Richmond)
8: Dion Prestia (Richmond)
8: Lachie Hunter (Western Bulldogs)
7: Jack Riewoldt (Richmond)
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-hold-on-richmond-s-18th-win-one-almighty-scare-20180825-p4zzpf.html
