VFL Tigers roadshow rolls onRichmond VFL took its show on the road for the first time in 2018, and travelled back up the Princes Freeway with the four points after a 38-point win over Werribee.
The battle of the Tigers was quite spicy at times, with Richmond outlasting its hosts, 17.16 (118) def. 11.14 (80).
Richmond's early inaccuracy opened the door for Werribee, who started the better in front of goal, until a Tiger cub stepped-up once again.
After staring in his debut last week, Callum Coleman-Jones picked up exactly where he left off, with his right-foot snap ending Richmond’s opening term inaccuracy.
The likes of Jake Aarts, Ryan Garthwaite and Sam Lloyd (12 opening-term disposals) held firm as Werribee made the most of their opportunities early, with the two-Vs launching scores from their back-half.
It took Coleman-Jones to break the duck, which led to goals to Blake Grewar and Mabior Chol.
Skipper, Steve Morris’ hellacious attack on the ball, which drew a high freekick was another act which ignited the Tigers in the opening term.
Aarts’ defensive prowess in the front-half led to the Tigers’ opening two majors, allowing them to trap Werribee, cause the turnover and capitalise in trademark fashion.
Sam Lloyd could have had an electric first term if not for errant kicking at goal, but his work in the contest and in transition was first class.
The Tigers ensured that they got maximum reward for supreme effort from the get-go in the second term, with Blake Grewar showing his worth up forward after a duo of second term majors.
Grewar was the leading goal-kicker on the ground at halftime after slotting three majors.
The tenacious Tiger has been flint-hard in the clinches since arriving at the Swinburne Centre, but his performance inside-50 showcased his polish and nous in front of goal.
Tyson Stengle was another to capitalise on his opportunities up forward in the second term.
Stengle continues to impress at VFL level, and turns half chances into goals at will.
Mabior Chol joined Stengle in providing plenty of headaches for the Werribee defenders, continually finding space goal-side of his opponent and either kicking goals, or handing them off.
Chol ended up with two majors in the opening half, with his development on a sharp upward trajectory.
Speedster, Connor Menadue (18 disposals) was another to impress throughout the day, with his slicing run-and-carry opening Werribee up between the arcs and repelling off halfback.
Brandon Wood backed-up his impressive performance against Casey, with his trademark toughness and footy smarts standing out.
Richmond's 45-point lead got pushed out to 71 points by three-quarter time as the visitors strangled Werribee and then exploded forward of centre.
Chol and Stengle added to their first-half tallies to join Blake Grewar on three majors, while the man they call “CJ” (Coleman-Jones), once again showcased his potential with a classy snap from congestion.
Werribee attempted to pierce through Richmond's defensive set-up by foot, which played into the travelling Tigers hands, as it was only a matter of time before the turnover was forced and the ball burst forward with imperious efficiency.
Mabior Chol put up his hand for goal of the day after swooping on a loose ball, he breached the forward 50-arc and coolly slotted through his third of the day.
With prolific ball-winner, Anthony Miles copping plenty of attention, Sam Lloyd and Brandon Wood shared the load through the midfield.
The duo were clean and tough in the clinches and also damaging on the spread and forward of centre.
Werribee fought its way back into the contest in the final term, with a drop off in Richmond's defensive intent leading to the hosts slamming on six-goals to one for the quarter.
The Tigers of the Werribee variety clunked 11 marks inside-50 in the last quarter alone, which presents a fantastic learning opportunity for Richmond VFL moving forward.
Richmond outmuscled their hosts for three quarters, and remain undefeated in 2018.
Tiger hard-nut Brandon Wood was brilliant with 32 disposals and a goal, Anthony Miles toiled away for a hard-fought, 26 disposals, while veteran, Sam Lloyd finished with 25 classy touches.
Up forward, Blake Grewar, Tyson Stengle and Mabior Chol all slotted three majors, while Lloyd and Callum Coleman-Jones chimed in with two goals apiece.
RICHMOND 3.7 10.9 16.13 17.16 (118)
WERRIBEE 2.2 3.7 5.8 11.14 (80)
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-28/vfl-tigers-roadshow-rolls-on
