Media articles and stats: Tigers vs Roos and Hawks

[one-eyed]

Tigers pipped at the post
By Nick Bowen
8:01 PM Fri 17 Feb, 2012

RICHMOND                       0.3.3, 0.6.5 (41)
NORTH MELBOURNE          0.3.1, 0.7.2 (44)     

GOALS
Richmond: Miller 2, Martin, King, Derickx, Nahas
North Melbourne: Edwards 3, Swallow, Ziebell, Petrie, Tarrant

BEST
Richmond: Martin, Newman, Houli, Conca, Miller, I. Maric.
North Melbourne: Edwards, McMahon, Ziebell, Cunnington, Goldstein, Harvey.

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
North Melbourne: Grima (knee), Adams (concussion),

Reports: Nil

Substitutions: Adams replaced by Harper

Umpires: Stewart, Meredith, Mollison

Official crowd: at Etihad Stadium

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

RICHMOND has narrowly lost its opening game of the NAB Cup against North Melbourne, going down by three points at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

At times during the game, the Tigers looked to have the Kangaroos' measure, jumping out to a 12-point lead early in the game and, again, establishing a two-goal lead when they kicked two of the first three goals of the second half, through Brad Miller and Robin Nahas.

But North, who had started the match in scrappy fashion, started to win the ball at the stoppages with Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell influential.

The Tigers led for most of the game but when North's Robbie Tarrant kicked a goal in the final stages of the last half, the Roos took the lead and would hold onto it until the final siren.

The night was costly for North with midfielder Leigh Adams appearing to go off with concussion after copping a heavy knock at the 10-minute mark of the first quarter from Tiger Reece Conca. Ten minutes later, Nathan Grima limped off with a left knee injury following a collison. Reports on Triple M radio suggested he might have strained his medial ligament.

The Tigers led by two points at half-time after dominating the early part of the game.

With Reece Conca and Dustin Martin giving Richmond drive in the middle of the ground, the Tigers were moving the ball fluently. North struggled with its disposal early on, with a poor Brent Harvey pass intercepted by Martin, who kicked truly from his subsequent set shot from 40m.

Jake King got the Tigers and the game's second goal when he found space in the Tigers’ forward 50 to mark and converted from 35m, to put Richmond 12 points up.

Adams' exit from the ground seemed to spark the Kangaroos, who hit back with the next three goals to take the lead by four points at the 18-minute mark.

But the Tigers hit back through Tom Derickx and they snatched the lead at half-time.

For the Tigers, Adelaide Crows recruit Ivan Maric performed well in the ruck against North’s Todd Goldstein, while 2011 draftee Brett O’Hanlon also showed some promising signs.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/129110/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Stats: Tigers vs North

Player Name                  K   H     D  M   HO   T  FF FA SG   G   B   DT
1 Dustin Martin               7   4   11   1     0   1   0   0   0   1   1   43
2 Bachar Houli                5   5   10   0     0   0   1   0   0   0   0   26
3 Chris Newman             4   4     8   1     0   0   1   0   0   0   0   24
4 Reece Conca               3   4     7   2     0   2   2   0   0   0   0   33
5 Brad J. Miller                5   2     7   3     0   1   1   0   0   2   2   47
6 Robin Nahas                6   1     7   1     0   1   1   0   0   1   0   34
7 Shaun Grigg                3   3     6   1     0   1   0   2   0   0   0   16
8 Jake King                    3   3     6   1     0   2   0   2   0   1   0   26
9 Trent Cotchin              2   3     5   1     0   1   1   2   0   0   0   14
10 Ivan Maric                 3   2     5   0   12   2   0   1   0   0   0   30
11 Steven Morris            3   2     5   0     0   1   4   0   0   0   0   21
12 Alex Rance                3   2     5   2     0   0   1   2   0   0   0   14
13 Jake Batchelor          4   0     4   1     0   3   0   1   0   0   0   24
14 Shane Edwards         1   3     4   0     0   2   0   0   0   0   0   17
15 Brandon Ellis             1   2     3   1     0   1   0   0   0   0   0   14
16 Jeromey Webberley  1   2     3   1     0   0   0   0   0   0   0   10
17 Tom Derickx             1   1     2   1     0   1   0   0   0   1   0   18
18 Dylan Grimes            2   0     2   1     0   0   0   0   0   0   0   9
19 Jack Riewoldt           1   1     2   1     0   1   0   0   0   0   0   12
20 Matthew Arnot         0   1     1   0     0   4   0   0   0   0   0   18
21 Luke McGuane          1   0     1   1     0   1   0   0   0   0   0   10
22 Brett O'Hanlon          1   0     1   1     0   0   0   0   0   0   0   6

                   Rich - NM
Kicks             60 - 58
Handballs      45 - 42
Disposals    105 - 100
Marks           21 - 21   
Hitouts         12 - 8
Tackles         25 - 17   
Frees            12 - 10 

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/18551/Default.aspx#fixtureid=7860&tab=Stats

[one-eyed]

Tigers' big finish
richmondfc.com.au
10:02 PM Fri 17 Feb, 2012

HAWTHORN    0.1.5   0.5.7  (37)
RICHMOND     0.2.3   0.6.4   (40)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 3, Shiels, Savage
Richmond: King, Jackson 2, Miller, White

BEST
Hawthorn: Franklin, Mitchell, Suckling, Stratton, Young, Gunston
Richmond: King, Foley, Webberley, Jackson, Maric, Tuck

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Richmond: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stevic, Ryan, Jeffery

------------------------------------------------------

A GOAL to Matthew White with less than two minutes remaining has given Richmond an upset three-point win over Hawthorn in the final game of the season-opening NAB Cup triple-header at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Damien Hardwick's men looked gone when Shane Savage kicked a goal to give the Hawks a 10-point lead late in the second half, but Daniel Jackson and then White replied to steal the 6.4 (40) to 5.7 (37) victory.

Both teams took under-strength line-ups into their final hit-out of the night.

The Tigers' 'outs' from game one included Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin and skipper Chris Newman, with the Hawks leaving Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne, Grant Birchall and Brent Guerra on the sidelines.

In those stars' absence, Richmond got great service from Jeromey Webberley and Nathan Foley, with Jake King and Jackson booting two goals apiece.

Lance Franklin was Hawthorn's best, his three second-half goals threatening to take the match away from the Tigers after they led by four points at half-time.

Sam Mitchell was busy through the midfield, and Matt Suckling and Ben Stratton both used the ball well from defence.

Rookie Addam Maric, who crossed to Punt Rd from Melbourne in the off-season, stood out among the Tigers' new faces in a busy display.

Draftee Brandon Ellis collected five disposals in a promising showing.

Hawthorn's only draftee in the match, Brad Hill, was the substitute until the dying stages of the game.

Recruit Jack Gunston showed a clean set of hands, taking five marks.

The result meant all three teams in the tri-series finished the night with one win and one loss, after the Tigers lost to North Melbourne in game one and Hawthorn beat the Kangaroos in game two.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/129121/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Stats: Tigers vs Hawks

Player Name                    K   H   D    M   HO   T FF FA  SG   G   B   DT
1 Nathan Foley                8   4   12   1     0   2   1   2   0   0   0   38
2 Shane Tuck                  8   2   10   1     0   3   2   1   0   0   0   42
3 Jeromey Webberley      7   3   10   2     0   1   0   0   0   0   0   37
4 Bachar Houli                 3   5     8   2     0   1   0   0   0   0   0   29
5 Addam Maric                6   2     8   1     0   2   0   0   0   0   0   33
6 Dylan Grimes                3   4     7   2     0   0   1   0   0   0   0   24
7 Daniel Jackson              4   2     6   1     0   1   2   1   0   2   0   34
8 Jayden Post                  3   3     6   2     0   1   2   0   0   0   0   27
9 Reece Conca                2   3     5   0     0   1   0   0   0   0   0   16
10 Brandon Ellis               4   1     5   2     0   0   0   0   0   0   0   20
11 Jake King                   4   1     5   2     0   2   0   1   0   2   2   39
12 Brad J. Miller               4   1     5   1     0   1   1   0   0   1   1   29
13 Matt White                 1   4     5   0     0   2   0   2   0   1   0   19
14 Angus Graham           2   2     4   1   10   0   0   2   0   0   0   17
15 Bradley Helbig             4   0     4   0     0   0   2   0   0   0   0   14
16 Alex Rance                  2   2     4   2     0   1   0   1   0   0   0   17
17 Tom Derickx                2   1     3   1     1   0   0   0   0   0   0   12
18 Todd Elton                  1   2     3   0     0   0   0   0   0   0   0   7
19 Jake Batchelor            1   1     2   1     0   3   1   1   0   0   0   18
20 Matthew Dea              1   1     2   1     0   0   0   0   0   0   0   8
21 Ty Vickery                  1   1     2   0     0   1   0   0   0   0   0   9
22 Steven Verrier            0   0     0   0     0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0

                   Rich - Haw
Kicks             71 - 67
Handballs      45 - 46
Disposals    116    - 113
Marks           23 - 31   
Hitouts         11    - 12
Tackles         22 - 27   
Frees            12 - 11   

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/18551/Default.aspx#fixtureid=7858&tab=Stats

[one-eyed]

Tigers lift intensity against Hawks
Michael Gleeson
The Age
February 18, 2012

RICHMOND 0.2.3 0.6.4 (40)
HAWTHORN 0.1.5 0.5.7 (37)

GOALS - Richmond: Jackson 2, King 2, Miller, White. Hawthorn: Franklin 3, Shiels, Savage.
BEST - Richmond: King, Foley, Jackson, Webberley. Hawthorn: Mitchell, Franklin, Suckling, Gunston.
UMPIRES: Stevic, Jeffery, H Ryan.


THE Tigers were the equal of the Hawks for pressure at the ball and the man, which kept them in the contest. Pressure of this type has not ordinarily been the Tigers' strength.

They played a press in both games but against North were more easily scored against when the ball got over the back.

Against Hawthorn they looked tighter.

PRESSURE ON

The arrival of Ivan Maric as a combative ruck has put the pressure on Angus Graham.

Maric rested in the second game so Graham rucked and looked good early although he still did some silly things - unopposed for a mark in defence, he jumped under the ball, anticipating contact.

NEWBIES

The other Maric to arrive at Punt Road - Addam from Melbourne - slotted into the forward line and offered the sort of bite and intensity he was brought in for. In a foot race with four others with one minute to go, he showed good pace to get their first. Another rookie, Brandon Ellis, on a half-back flank, is a readymade player with good aggression at the contest and did not look daunted. Dylan Grimes, coming off the bad hammy that ruined his 2011, did a bit after a promising start.

CANDLE IN THE WIND

Athletic raw ruck Todd Elton showed great maturity with a clever tap across to Matt White to snap the goal that put the Tigers in front late.

THE MATCH

Hawthorn fans who were thrilled by Lance Franklin taking overhead marks and slotting three goals, Sam Mitchell's standard pep at the stoppages and the promising work of recruit Jack Gunston would not be overly perturbed by the Tigers' rally to pinch the points. Nathan Foley, Shane Tuck and Daniel Jackson all made up for sitting out the opening game, Jake King was a pesky presence in front of goal, and Todd Elton's handball into Matt White's path ultimately won it for the Tigers, whose theme song boomed around the stadium, never mind what the calendar says.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/tigers-lift-intensity-against-hawks-20120217-1tf6p.html#ixzz1mfM6lJSw

[one-eyed]

Tigers go tall up forward
Michael Gleeson
The Age
February 18, 2012

NORTH MELBOURNE 0.3.1 0.7.2 (44)
RICHMOND 0.3.3 0.6.5 (41)
GOALS North Melbourne: Edwards 3, Swallow, Petrie, Ziebell, Tarrant. Richmond: Miller 2, Martin, King, Nahas, Derickx.
BEST North Melbourne: Ziebell, Cunnington, Edwards, MacMillan. Richmond: Martin, Nahas, Miller, Houli.
INJURIES North Melbourne: Grima (knee)
UMPIRES Meredith, Stewart, Mollison.
VENUE Etihad Stadium.

THE Tigers used three talls on the forward line with former WA mature-age recruit Tom Derickx, who stands 201 centimetres, playing deep to the goal square, and Jack Riewoldt and Brad Miller floating up field.

The Tigers looked more threatening with the arrangement as Riewoldt was less predictable. Miller booted two and took three grabs.

NO MINOR MORRIS

TIGER recruit Steven Morris, son of former player Kevin, and out of West Adelaide in the SANFL, looked like the known quantity they were expecting. He has good understanding and reading of the play, sitting behind the ball, is tough and clever but a little loose by foot on last night's showing,

NOT TOO DUSTY

Dustin Martin started in the middle, moved forward and began the second half at centre half-back.

He's versatile. He booted the first goal of the NAB Cup and finished with 11 touches.

CONCA'D

The new season was only just ticking over and Leigh Adams was seeing stars. The play had moved on but North's Adams had not. Reece Conca was the only man in the vicinity and clearly the pair had made some contact.

The North players were unhappy with what happened and went to the second-year Tiger who had to leave the ground with the blood rule. Adams was able to walk off.

On his return to the ground Conca was given a clip across the mouth by Brent Harvey and earned the free.

GAME ON

THE season's first off-the-ball incident came after just 10 minutes, North's Leigh Adams and Tiger Reece Conca coming together and leaving a groggy Adams subbed out of the game and Conca fending off a mob of angry Roos. Richmond jumped clear early with Dustin Martin lean and mean, Robin Nahas providing a spark and Brad Miller a target, and looked the better team for most of the journey. But North held its nerve and its structures, won the stoppages through Jack Ziebell and Andrew Swallow, and kicked three of the last four goals to pinch the game.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/tigers-go-tall-up-forward-20120217-1teqw.html#ixzz1mfMj9MmN

[one-eyed]

Hawthorn, Richmond, North Melbourne share spoils in NAB Cup opener

    by: Jon Ralph
    From: Herald Sun
    February 18, 2012

EDDIE McGuire's reputation as Eddie Everywhere must be slipping.

Just hours after he declared Fox Footy the most important technological breakthrough this century, Reece Conca had a brain explosion.

Eddie had promised cameras would cover every blade of grass on Etihad Stadium, but Richmond's Conca acted like it was an intra-club match behind closed doors.

His behind-play hit on Leigh Adams might not have been the most enthralling act in last night's round-robin between Richmond, North Melbourne and Hawthorn, but it might have the biggest long-term effect.

Last night was not the time to collect someone off the ball, given Fox Sports threw every possible resource and used every camera angle in its coverage.

It wasn't a king hit or a snipe, but Conca blocked Adams' path with enough force to drop him in an instant.

The Tiger is about to be hit by a perfect storm of tribunal rules from the past 18 months.

From this season on, any behind-play hit is automatically considered intentional, and we already know any hit to the head means the instigator must take full responsibility.

The only bonus is Conca is almost certain to be allowed to serve some of his potential ban in Richmond's two remaining NAB Cup games.

Why focus on one incident from 120 minutes of football?

Because while Conca's hit was at least definitive, it was impossible to be certain about anything else that unfolded last night.

In the first game Richmond seemed home when nine points up in the dying stages against North Melbourne then conjured an unlikely defeat.

Then Hawthorn's withering first half against North made the previous contest look every bit a curtain raiser before the real contender arrived on the stage.

Finally, Richmond outlasted a Hawks side with Lance Franklin in full flight despite Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin sitting out after playing against North. Pretty tough to make head or tail of any of that.

Of the youngsters and recruits, everyone showed something without dominating.

For Richmond, Ivan Maric will add crucial grunt and Steven Morris's ability as a small defender, but both took some of the gloss off solid debuts with late turnovers in the first contest.

For Hawthorn, Jack Gunston's second contest was more than encouraging, mixing seven possessions with one floating mark that showed a glimpse of his true potential.

North's contribution from the kids was more evenly spread, but the middle tier of Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington, and Ryan Bastinac looks to be on the march.

Former VFL midfielder Sam Gibson had nine possessions against Hawthorn, Robbie Tarrant looked sharp as a forward, and Hamish McIntosh took a pair of towering marks.

Of the stars, Sam Mitchell had 27 touches in 80 minutes, but you knew he would do something like that.

It was Martin and Franklin who showed they have another gear this year.

Franklin is a gazelle, and Martin a snarling pit bull, but both will be fun to watch this season.

It was far from the real thing - that is another month away - but it was a mouthwatering entree to the main course.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorn-richmond-north-melbourne-share-spoils-in-nab-cup-opener/story-e6frf9jf-1226274296981

[one-eyed]

Hawthorn, North Melbourne and Richmond reveal new tricks

    by: Warwick Green
    From: Herald Sun
    February 18, 2012

FOOTY was finally back as Hawthorn, North Melbourne and Richmond caught the eye with some new tricks and talented young blood. Warwick Green analyses the NAB Cup opener.

Richmond

NEW TRICKS

FORMER Crow Ivan Maric will bring a bit of presence - and a mullet - to the Tigers at centre bounces, but it remains to be seen if he's the answer to their ruck prayers.

Richmond used the first game against North to experiment with Jack Riewoldt pushing further up the ground.

Tom Derickx started as the goalsquare target, while Brad Miller was excellent doing the grunt work.

Reece Conca spent considerable time in the centre square, including tagging assignments.

 

YOUNG BLOOD

STEVEN Morris was impressive, expect him to play a lot of football this year. He has good pace and desperation, although his kicking looked a concern at times.

Brandon Ellis is another who may bring a dash of youthful pace and exuberance to the Tigers' backline.

Jake Batchelor, a second-round draft pick from last year, looked like he might be ready to step up a level.

 

SUPERCOACH

DUSTIN Martin ($536,200) looks poised to join the game's elite midfielders, but is not as expensive as them.

He is younger and less likely to be rotated than some of the game's biggest names, too.

Conca ($298,800) might be worth a risk, while Morris ($113,200) and Ellis ($126,600) look like potential bargains.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorn-north-melbourne-and-richmond-reveal-new-tricks/story-e6frf9jf-1226274328003