One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on September 02, 2012, 07:49:27 PM
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All square at the 'G
By Nick Bowen
5:46 PM Sun 02 Sep, 2012
RICHMOND 5.1 6.6 11.8 16.10 (106)
PORT ADELAIDE 2.5 6.7 12.8 16.10 (106)
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 6, Edwards 3, McGuane 2, Astbury, Grigg, Nahas, Post, Tuck
Port Adelaide: Schulz 4 Brad Ebert 3, Brett Ebert 2, Broadbent 2, Pearce, Rodan, Thomas, Wingard, Young
BEST
Richmond: Cotchin, Riewoldt, Houli, Tuck, Jackson, Deledio, Jackson
Port Adelaide: Brad Ebert, Schulz, Broadbent, Pearce, Boak, Cassisi, Hartlett
INJURIES
Richmond: Helbig (ankle), Martin (hamstring)
Port Adelaide: McCarthy (groin)
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Brad Helbig (ankle) replaced by Brett O'Hanlon in the first quarter
Port Adelaide: John McCarthy replaced by David Rodan in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Kamolins, Pannell, Jacob Mollison
Official crowd: 27,893 at the MCG
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RICHMOND and Port Adelaide have fought out an enthralling draw after a heart-stopping, topsy-turvy contest at the MCG on Sunday.
In an entertaining, often end-to-end clash, Richmond appeared set to end its season in style when it led by seven points late in the final term, before an Aaron Young goal and scrappy behind levelled the scores at 16.10 (106) apiece.
It was the first draw for the year in the second last game of the home and away season.
The Tigers led by 12 points at the 20-minute mark of the final quarter having come back from 18 points down at the 21-minute mark of the third term.
Jack Riewoldt had helped drag the Tigers back into the game, kicking six goals, including four from late in the third quarter on his way to clinching the 2012 Coleman Medal.
But Port, which looked a far cry from the battler it has looked at times in 2012, would not be denied. With the visitors seven points down, Young goaled with 1:14 left on the clock and Power skipper Domenic Cassisi then tied the scores with a snapped behind with 21 seconds to go.
When the siren sounded, the teams were all square.
Click here for all the best match pics
For Richmond, it was a numbing end to a season that at times promised much but ultimately finished as the previous 10 had - with the Tigers stranded outside the final eight, in 12th place.
After the match Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said the draw had summed up his team's season.
"We didn't play anywhere near well enough on the day. We were sluggish early and it sort of summed up our season - not quite good enough when we needed to be," Hardwick said.
Asked whether Chris Newman's announcement to the playing group pre-match that he was stepping down as skipper and Riewoldt's pursuit of the Coleman Medal were distractions for his team, Hardwick refused to use them as an excuse.
"Obviously the handover of your captaincy is a big event in a footy club but I would have expected the guys to respond better than what they did," Hardwick said.
"I just thought we looked flat. Our intensity in last week's game against Essendon was unbelievable, this week it was the complete opposite.
"Look, they ground it out, managed to get our nose in front, lost a couple of troops along the way but just couldn't quite get the result we were after."
After being tightly marked by Cassisi in the first half, Trent Cotchin fought his way into the game to finish with 31 possessions in a performance that might bolster his Brownlow Medal chances.
Bachar Houli was a steadying and creative influence for the Tigers at half-back all day, while Shane Tuck continued his strong year in the midfield as did Brett Deledio.
Understandably, Port caretaker coach Garry Hocking was more buoyant about the result than Hardwick.
"There were some really good things to come out of the game for us. Our ability to fight back, kicking a couple of goals with three or four minutes to go, the boys took the game on," Hocking said.
"It was a bit different to last week. I thought we learnt a lot out of the Brisbane loss, especially in the last quarter.
"Our players really showed an enormous amount of character to get back into the game and probably nearly steal it in the end."
Brad Ebert (22 possessions and three goals) was outstanding for the Power, as were Matthew Broadbent and former Tiger Jay Schulz (four goals).
From the opening bounce, the Power jumped out to an early seven-point lead before Richmond hit back to lead by 14 points at quarter-time
But the Power kicked four goals to one in the second term to take a one-point lead at half-time and stretched that to six points at three-quarter time.
The Power look set to finish 14th (provided the Western Bulldogs lose to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in the Sunday twilight game) and can now give their undivided attention to finding a replacement for departed senior coach Matthew Primus, and to convince midfielder Travis Boak his future lies at Alberton Oval and not back home in Victoria.
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/146448/default.aspx
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Five talking points: Richmond v Port Adelaide
By Nick Bowen
Sun 02 Sep, 2012
1. Richmond clocks off early for 11th straight year
The Tigers finished 2012 on a numb note with a draw but had some consolation with spearhead Jack Riewoldt kicking six goals to clinch his second Coleman Medal. Sunday's draw meant Richmond finished 12th on the ladder and the Tigers don't need to be reminded that this is the 11th consecutive season they have missed the finals. But despite their reputation for finishing ninth, the Tigers have finished in that position just twice, in 2006 and 2008, since their 2001 finals appearance.
2. Cotchin bolsters Brownlow bid
Trent Cotchin has enjoyed an outstanding season in 2012. Before round 23, the Tiger midfielder had an unbeatable lead in the AFL Coaches' Association Champion Player of the Year award. Cotchin, 22, is also one of the favourites for the Brownlow Medal, and Port acknowledged his growing standing in the game by sending their skipper Domenic Cassisi to him at the start of the game. Cassisi kept Cotchin subdued in the first half but he was outstanding in the second half and finished with 31 possessions, eight inside 50s and eight clearances.
3. Hocking winless as Power caretaker
The draw meant Garry Hocking did not enjoy a win in his four-game stint as Port caretaker coach. Hocking took over at Alberton Oval after Matthew Primus stepped down following the Power's shock round 19 loss to Greater Western Sydney. The Geelong playing great led Port to losses against Hawthorn by 72 points, West Coast by 48 points, the Brisbane Lions by 11 points and Sunday's draw. Hocking has yet to openly put his hat in the ring for the full-time Port coaching position but would seem to face an uphill fight if he does. Ironically, the last caretaker coach to be appointed to the senior coaching position was Primus, whose 5-2 record as a caretaker in 2010 convinced the Power to make him Mark Williams' successor.
4. Don't forget Schulz
There was only one full-forward the MCG crowd was really interested on Sunday, with the Richmond faithful willing Jack Riewoldt on to his second Coleman Medal. But Tigers fans might have asked themselves how good their forward line might now be looking had Jay Schulz not left for Port Adelaide at the end of 2009. Schulz has been revitalised since returning to his home state and on Sunday gave Tigers fans a glimpse of what a dangerous forward he has become. In the second quarter, Schulz kicked three goals in 11 minutes, showcasing his strong overhead marking and pinpoint set-shot kicking. In the third term, Schulz came in from the side to take a goalsquare speccy over Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric, then went back and converted. Schulz finished the game with 4.1 and took a game-high 12 marks.
5. Newman leads for last time
Chris Newman told his teammates before Sunday's game it would be his last as Richmond captain. Newman took over as Richmond skipper after Kane Johnson's retirement at the end of 2008. His first season in the top job was a tumultuous one with coach Terry Wallace sacked after just 11 rounds. But Newman weathered the storm and has since become an outstanding leader for the Tigers. One of the lower profile captains in the competition, Newman has not let the demands of the top job affect his on-field form, finishing second in the 2010 best and fairest and third in 2009. Against the Power, Newman was his usual solid self with 12 possessions.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/146450/default.aspx
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Team Stats
Disposals 351 - 331
Efficiency% 76 - 77
Kicks 202 - 178
Handballs 149 - 153
Con. Possies 129 - 115
Uncon. Possies 210 - 222
Marks 97 - 83
Con. Marks 17 - 7
Uncon. Marks 80 - 76
Tackles 50 - 58
Clearances 37 - 36
Clangers 37 - 51
Frees 20 - 18
Hitouts 32 - 37 ...... ( I.Maric 31, J.Riewoldt 1 // Redden 29, Westhoff 6, Logan 1, Trengove 1 )
Inside 50s 52 - 52
Rebound 50s 31 - 30
Assists 7 - 14
1%ers 37 - 47
Supercoach 1677 - 1622
Dreamteam 1498 - 1420
Individual Stats
PLAYER D K H CP DE% M CM T CL FF FA I50 R50 G B GA SC
T.Cotchin 31 19 12 13 74% 6 1 5 8 2 0 8 0 0 0 1 124
B.Houli 26 15 11 8 77% 4 2 1 2 0 0 4 6 0 0 1 110
S.Tuck 26 14 12 9 81% 8 2 2 2 0 0 6 1 1 0 1 106
D.Jackson 24 11 13 11 54% 3 1 4 4 0 1 5 2 0 1 0 85
B.Deledio 23 8 15 9 70% 5 0 2 2 0 0 4 3 0 0 1 100
S.Grigg 20 11 9 6 75% 5 0 2 4 1 0 4 2 1 1 1 83
S.Morris 20 9 11 5 80% 5 0 3 1 1 1 3 1 0 1 0 90
S.Edwards 19 10 9 11 74% 3 0 6 5 3 1 2 0 3 0 1 110
B.Ellis 18 13 5 3 89% 8 0 1 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 69
A.Rance 18 11 7 5 72% 8 1 1 0 2 3 1 6 0 0 0 88
R.Nahas 17 10 7 6 82% 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 76
J.Batchelor 15 8 7 4 87% 4 0 1 0 1 2 0 4 0 0 0 55
I.Maric 13 11 2 6 77% 1 1 3 4 4 4 4 1 0 0 0 116
J.Post 13 6 7 2 92% 6 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 55
C.Newman 12 10 2 5 58% 5 1 4 1 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 62
D.Martin 11 6 5 3 64% 4 0 1 2 0 2 3 0 0 1 0 19
J.Riewoldt 11 10 1 5 64% 7 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 6 2 1 119
L.McGuane 9 5 4 6 67% 6 4 2 1 0 0 2 0 2 1 0 60
D.Astbury 8 4 4 4 87% 3 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 62
M.Dea 8 5 3 6 100% 1 0 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 41
B.O'Hanlon 7 6 1 1 57% 2 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 40
B.Helbig 2 0 2 1 100% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
http://live-footy.heraldsun.com.au/StatsCentre/Index/20122320120142303
http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/16931/Default.aspx#fixtureid=7855&tab=Stats
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Richmond and Port Adelaide fight out the season's first draw at the MCG
Matt Windley
From: Herald Sun
September 03, 2012
FOOTY is a team game, but on the last day of the home-and-away season, with nothing but pride on the line for either side, the glorious spring afternoon was all about Richmond's Jack Riewoldt.
Chris Newman, who announced pre-match that the game was to be his last as captain, shared the spotlight, but the 27,893 on hand were all pulling for Riewoldt as he shot for a second Coleman Medal.
He got it, but nobody counted on Port Adelaide spoiling the celebrations, snatching a draw with a plucky performance that left everybody feeling decidedly flat.
With Riewoldt starting on 59 goals, three adrift of Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich and Geelong's Tom Hawkins, a goal in the first and second quarters moved the Tiger to within one off the lead at half time.
But two goals in four minutes late in the third term was what everyone at the ground - except direct opponent Alipate Carlile and his Power teammates - wanted.
Riewoldt had his medal, and added two more goals in the final term to compile what seemed to be a match-winning performance.
But as the siren sounded, and no song was to be sung, everybody just stood, not knowing how to feel.
"It's always weird after a draw, but today was even weirder,'' Riewoldt said.
"Last game of the season, obviously I won the Coleman Medal, but, mate, it's tough, really tough.
"Because to watch your leader and one of your best mates in the captain of this football club say that he's going to finish up captaining us was really tough and then not to get the victory for him was even tougher.
"So it's a bit of a bittersweet feeling.''
Riewoldt finished the year on 65 goals - his second-highest season return.
Riewoldt
His first was a simple 20th-minute set shot from 40m.
His second, however, was less so.
Carlile, Riewoldt, Hamish Hartlett and Robbie Nahas converged near 50m for a pack contest, the ball spilled out the back and Nahas went chasing.
He was pursued by Hartlett and Riewoldt, who eased up on his left shoulder like Black Caviar before he twice lunged his right foot at the ball in the goalsquare, succeeding on the second attempt for goal No.61.
"I tapped it the first time and thought I better swing my foot at it again. Luckily enough it went through, so that was a bit of an interesting one,'' Riewoldt said.
There was a thought the lure of the medal was proving distracting.
Port Adelaide led by a point at the main break and the fans wanted Riewoldt to be selfish.
He had a chance, with ball in hand and 55m from goal in the first term, to pass off to Brett O'Hanlon. After some indecision he shot for goal and hit the post.
"I did see Brett there and I was trying to put that one on for him, but someone ran in to the space,'' Riewoldt said.
"I had a really strong mindset coming in to today that no matter where I was on the ground, if there was someone in a better position I would try my ass off to get it off to them because I'd hate to think that one of my actions in the last game of the year would affect the result.''
The man of the moment didn't get a touch until the 25th minute of the third, but the wait was worth it.
Trent Cotchin had multiple handball options as he streamed through the middle, but he held it up, took a bounce and made Riewoldt lead to him.
He hit him on the chest, 30m out from goal, and the kick from directly in front was never in doubt.
Riewoldt needed one more and he only had to wait four minutes to get it.
Riewoldt, Carlisle and Jarrad Redden flew for a mark 15m out from the City End goal, Riewoldt hit the deck, Redden and Carlisle landed on top of him.
It took a good five seconds for the crowd at the Punt Rd end to realise a free was paid, but went nuts when they did.
The roar as he split the big sticks was one of the loudest heard at the ground all year as every Tiger on the ground got to the No.8 to congratulate him.
"I got tunnelled a bit, so that was what that was for,'' Riewoldt said.
"I can think of countless times this year that I could have got free kicks so I'll take them when the umpires pay them.
"I think the greatest thing about our fans is it's not about the goal you kick to win the Coleman ... it's any goal that this football club kicks that our fans really celebrate.''
The score at that point was 80-74 Port's way, but you felt with the medal secured, the distraction gone, that there was only going to be one winner from that point.
It's just that nobody quite knew the ONLY winner would be Jack.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/richmond-and-port-adelaide-fight-out-the-seasons-first-draw-at-the-mcg/story-e6frf9jf-1226463335914
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Riewoldt the only winner
Michael Lynch
The Age
September 3, 2012
RICHMOND 5.1 6.6 11.8 16.10 (106)
PORT ADELAIDE 2.5 6.7 12.8 16.10 (106)
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 6, Edwards 3, McGuane 2, Astbury, Post, Nahas, Grigg, Tuck.
Port Adelaide: Schulz 4, Brad Ebert 3, Brett Ebert 2, Broadbent 2, Young, Wingard, Pearce, Rodan, Thomas.
BEST
Richmond: Cotchin, Riewoldt, Houli, Edwards, Tuck, Grigg.
Port Adelaide: Brad Ebert, Broadbent, Schulz, Pearce, Boak, Hartlett.
UMPIRES T Pannell, C Kamolins, J Mollison.
CROWD 27,893 at MCG.
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A SIX-goal haul by Jack Riewoldt ensured the key Tiger forward salvaged something memorable from the remains of another frustrating season for his club by winning the Coleman Medal outright.
But a Domenic Cassisi point in the last 30 seconds meant that Port Adelaide snatched a draw right at the death, the first match all season to end on level terms.
Richmond looked to have the game in control when it was 12 points clear in the 20th minute of the final term but Port would not lie down and eventually the siren sounded at the MCG with the scores locked at 16.10 (116) apiece.
The Tigers have made a speciality of losing close games this season and while this was not a defeat, it will feel like a loss. Still, Port will feel that it was perhaps worth a share of the spoils given the chances it created and spurned early in the game.
Riewoldt struck with a goal in each of the first two quarters, a brace in the third and two in the final term, dashing the hopes of Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich and Geelong's Tom Hawkins - not to mention statisticians everywhere, who would have enjoyed the prospect of a triple tie for the goal-kicking award.
Riewoldt ended the home-and-away campaign with 65 goals, having come into this match on 59, three behind the two front runners who finished their regular season on Saturday.
Riewoldt ensured he put his name into the record books for the second time in three years.
For Port, which will be under the control of a new management and coaching team next season, the game was about pride, showing passion for the jersey, impressing whoever is stepping into the hot seat - and giving the Power's dwindling fan base something to cling on to over the summer months.
Even though the Tigers made heavy weather of this game, there was a sense of inevitability about proceedings. Richmond began brightly, Port got the better of the second and third quarters and looked to have every chance before being run down in the closing stages.
In every game every team gets its chance. The difference between winning and losing, so often, is taking those opportunities - especially when they come early in the match.
Port may be giving a good impression of a club in crisis, out of form and out of confidence, but it began with vim and vigour against a Richmond side that gave the early impression it thought the four points were there for the taking with the minimum of effort.
Port's forward line was moving well and creating space, while its midfielders played a pressing game, denying the Tigers time and space and restricting the home side to a sole Shane Tuck goal against the run of play.
But the feeling remained that Port had to make the most of its time. The Tigers stretched, shook themselves out of their lethargy and then piled on four more goals as the momentum began to build for Riewoldt to be given as many strikes on goal as could be manufactured.
The big forward obliged with his first in the first quarter, taking a mark and finishing it off in the 19th minute.
Riewoldt's desperation to snare a second Coleman was evident throughout as he worked into positions and demanded the ball at every turn, letting teammates know his feelings if he was ignored.
The Tigers looked as though they would take control of this game as they went to the first change with a 14-point lead. But Port would not be denied, goals to Matthew Broadbent and the former Tiger Jay Schulz cancelling out the Tigers' advantage in the second term.
Even though Riewoldt closed in to within one goal of a share of the Coleman with a second-quarter soccer off the ground, it was Port that went to the long break a point to the good.
Port kept its nerve through the third term and, despite the excitement of Riewoldt's landmark - confirmed when he got his fourth from a free kick close to goal - held on to lead by six points as the final quarter of the season for both teams loomed.
It looked as though Luke McGuane's early miss in the final term and Danyle Pearce's goal might be critical as Port stretched the lead, but Riewoldt's fifth galvanised the hosts. But not quite enough.
RIEWOLDT KEEPS FANS HAPPY
Goalkickers have got to be single-minded, often selfish, individuals, and Jack Riewoldt is no exception. The Tigers goal ace won the Coleman Medal as the league's top goal scorer in 2010, and he was determined to do everything he could to match that achievement yesterday. Riewoldt came into the game on 59 goals, three behInd Matthew Pavlich and Tom Hawkins. It made for four-quarter entertainment for a Tigers crowd - an unusual taste of September action.
REMINDER FROM SCHULZ
There's nothing like returning to a previous club and playing a stormer against the men who let you go. Jay Schulz made his debut for the Tigers in 2003. Yesterday he reminded the Tiger faithful that he could do a job with nine first-half marks and three goals. And just to rub it in, he took a spectacular mark before adding his fourth.
OH SO CLOSE
The Tigers have lost more close games than any side this year, while Port Adelaide has so often looked like a team that gets itself into some decent positions but doesn't know how to win. Neither side could quite seal the deal as they traded goals right to the final minute.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/riewoldt-the-only-winner-20120902-2586k.html#ixzz25KWtVZBq