Media articles and stats: Tigers upset Eagles to move into top eight

[one-eyed]

Tigers upset Eagles to move into top eight
By Alex Malcolm
afl.com.au
10:15pm AEST Monday, June 3, 2013


WEST COAST      3.3   3.6   5.9      8.14  (62)                 
RICHMOND          2.3   8.4   14.5   16.7  (103)         
 
GOALS
West Coast: Kennedy 3, Hill 2, Darling, Kerr, S Selwood
Richmond: Vlastuin 3, S Edwards 2, Newman 2, Vickery 2, Riewoldt 2, Jackson, King, Martin, White, A Edwards
 
BEST
West Coast: S Selwood, Naitanui, Kennedy, Shuey, Masten, Priddis
Richmond: Deledio, Jackson, Cotchin, White, Foley, Vlastuin, Martin
 
INJURIES
West Coast: Brown (eye)
Richmond: S Edwards (eye)
 
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Andrew Embley replaced Mitch Brown during the third quarter
Richmond: Sam Lonergan replaced Shane Edwards during the third quarter
 
Reports: Nil
 
Umpires: Bannister, Margetts, Stevic
 
Official crowd: 37,781 at the Patersons Stadium

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RICHMOND has announced itself as a genuine top-eight contender with a dominant 41-point win over West Coast in front of 37,781 hostile fans at Patersons Stadium.

Having snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against Fremantle at the same venue five weeks ago, the Tigers buried that memory with a systematic dismantling of a brittle Eagles side.

West Coast were again exposed at home, losing their fourth game at Patersons Stadium in a season that has rapidly gone from promising to problematic.

After trailing at quarter-time by six points, the Tigers put together a scintillating second quarter to take the game away from West Coast.

Richmond's pace and spread cut the Eagles to ribbons as they kicked six unanswered goals for the term.

Brett Deledio had nine disposals for the quarter and Matt White gathered eight, while talented 19-year-old Nick Vlastuin and evergreen former skipper Chris Newman kicked two goals apiece to silence the crowd.

Richmond kicked 10 straight goals between quarter-time and the 11-minute mark of the third term.

The Tigers turned a 28-point lead at half-time into a 50-point gap at the last change.

Just as pleasingly for coach Damien Hardwick, the visitors had 10 individual goalkickers on a night when their evenness across the board was a key to their success.

Dustin Martin and Deledio were outstanding, collecting 25 disposals each, with Deledio particularly damaging as he operated at 84 per cent efficiency.

Vlastuin finished the night with three goals, the best return of his six-game career.   

The Eagles dominated the ruck contests, winning an incredible 81 hit outs to Richmond's 27 on the back of Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox - yet Richmond won the clearances.

West Coast also had one more inside 50 and more contested possessions for the match but never got close to Richmond on the scoreboard after quarter-time.

Josh Kennedy battled hard up forward with three goals but he was one of the Eagles' few winners on the ground.

Again, their inaccuracy was costly as they hit the post six times.

The only injury concern for Richmond was Shane Edwards, who was subbed out in the third term after copping a nasty poke in the eye.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-06-03/west-coast-v-richmond-match-report

[one-eyed]

Richmond demolish West Coast by 41 points at Patersons Stadium to move into the top eight

    Braden Quartermaine
    From: PerthNow
    June 03, 2013 10:32PM

IT might have been the scalp Richmond needed to give impetus to a drought-breaking finals appearance.

An inspired Tigers outfit left a hapless West Coast demoralised as they piled on nine unanswered goals through the middle part of the game in a stunning demolition at Patersons Stadium last night.

Richmond was in no mood for any mercy either and the fans were heading for the exits well before the match was done.

The Tigers got home by 41 points in one if their best wins under Damien Hardwick.

While the Tigers were irrisistable, the Eagles were deplorable and their home crowd was left shellshocked.

The big name Tiger midfielders all fired, with a rampant on-ball brigade defying the hit-out dominance of West Coast's All-Australian ruck duo of Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox to win the clearance count.

Brett Deledio, Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin were all excellent, while first-year sensation Nick Vlastuin kicked three goals.

The Tigers had established a 28-point break at half-time after kicking six goals to none in a brilliant second term and there was more to come in the third as the goal avalanche continued.

The visitors' pressure was outstanding and repeatedly forced West Coast players into error, with Richmond's running brigade providing the first-half scoring power despite the big men being well held.


If the Eagles might have thought the Tigers had already played their best footy when the third term got underway, they were soon proved wrong as Richmond surged to a 47-point lead.

When Jack Riewoldt kicked his first goal nine minutes into the third quarter, the Tigers had kicked nine unanswered goals and the Eagles' top eight credentials were in question, let alone their top four hopes.

The carnage was temporarily halted by quick goals to Jack Darling and Josh Hill mid-way through the term but the situation was irretrievable for West Coast.

Richmond kicked another three leading into the final change to put the result beyond doubt, with outstanding youngster Vlastuin getting his third.

The visitors unveiled a new three-pronged attacking set-up of Riewoldt, Ty Vickery and Aaron Edwards, with Edwards playing his first game for his third AFL club.

Aaron Edwards got his first goal in yellow and black in the final term.

The tall forwards all went goalless in the first half as Shane Edwards, Vlastuin and Chris Newman each kicked two before the major break.

The last time Riewoldt played on Eric Mackenzie, he booted four goals on him in the opening 11 minutes of the game on the way to a career best bag of 10 in Round 12, 2010.

Last night, Riewoldt didn't touch the ball in the first quarter.

Both teams lost players to eye injuries, with Tiger Shane Edwards and Eagle Mitch Brown both subbed out in the third term.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-demolish-west-coast-by-41-points-at-paterson-stadium-to-move-into-the-top-eight/story-fndv8t7m-1226656539065

[one-eyed]

Tigers push way into the eight

    Brad Elborough, Perth
    The Age
    June 4, 2013

RICHMOND     2.3 8.4 14.5 16.7 (103)
WEST COAST 3.3 3.6   5.9   8.14 (62)

GOALS
Richmond: Vlastuin 3, Newman 2, Riewoldt 2, Edwards 2, Vickery 2, Edwards, Jackson, Martin, King, White.
West Coast: Kennedy 3, Hill 2, Kerr, Darling, S. Selwood.

BEST
Richmond: Jackson, Vlastuin, Deledio, Grigg, Chaplin, Morris.
West Coast: S Selwood, Shuey, Naitanui, Masten, Cox, Priddis.

INJURIES
Richmond: King (leg), Edwards (eye).
West Coast: Brown (eye).

CROWD 37,781, at Patersons Stadium.

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The roller-coaster ride that comes with being a Richmond supporter in the modern era continued on Monday night when it produced its best performance this season to beat West Coast by 41 points.

The Tigers have struggled against teams in the eight this season, but produced a brilliant effort to win.

The continued emergence of rising star Nick Vlastuin would have those same people even more excited about the future.

The youngster booted three goals, including two in the second term, to help get his side going after the Tigers trailed by six points at quarter-time.

That Eagles' lead was due mainly to a one-sided hitout count in the home side's favour. With Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox working well in tandem, they led Ivan Maric 26-8 in getting their hands on the ball first.

Although that dominance continued for the entire game (81-27 to the Eagles), the Tigers managed to take advantage of it after the first break.

It wasn't Daniel Kerr, Luke Shuey or Matt Priddis getting their hands on the ball off the back of Naitanui and Cox's work. It was Richmond's Brett Deledio, Shaun Grigg and Shane Edwards.

The Tigers knew they weren't going to win the hitouts, so played smart football and manned up on their opponents.

The Tigers had averaged 51 tackles a game before round nine, yet had reached that number with two minutes to go in the third term on Monday night.

That work-rate and pressure was evident across the ground.

In defence, uncontested marks that the Eagles forwards were able to take in the opening term, particularly Josh Kennedy, dried up.

The Eagles went inside their attacking 50-metre zone 12 times in the second term and were kept goalless. They went in 15 times in the opening term for 3.3.

Troy Chaplin led the Tiger defence, while at the other end, Jack Riewoldt made his presence felt despite a quiet first quarter.

After a bye next week, Richmond has a six-week period where it can set up a legitimate run at a finals campaign.

The Tigers host Adelaide in Melbourne, before playing the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, North Melbourne and the Gold Coast, before Fremantle heads to the MCG in round 17. Four wins out of that lot, added to the six they have, and September action is a possibility.

The run home is a bit tougher, with games against Sydney, Hawthorn, Carlton and Essendon, but they would back themselves to claim the points against Brisbane Lions (round 20) and GWS (round 22).

For West Coast, a win over St Kilda next week is essential. If it can't win at home, it has to start to find a way to win on the road.

The Eagles have now lost four games from six contests at Patersons Stadium, a ground that has been considered a fortress in previous years.

In the first term, it looked as though the Eagles were going to continue the form that had brought them consecutive wins over the Western Bulldogs, Brisbane Lions, North Melbourne and GWS.

But after the initial 15 minutes of dominance, the Tigers took control around the ground and shut off all avenues to goal.

West Coast was hapless to stop the Richmond midfield.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/tigers-push-way-into-the-eight-20130603-2nmi3.html#ixzz2VAmEwWmG

[tiger101]

After six ugly wins, Hardwick thrilled as Tigers get it together
By Sean Cowan11:15pm AEST Monday, June 3, 2013

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick said his side's victory over West Coast was the first time they hadn't won "ugly" this season.

Speaking after the Tigers had demolished the much-fancied Eagles outfit on the back of four quarters of midfield dominance, Hardwick said his team had wanted to atone for their loss to Essendon last week.

"I don't think there's a better feeling as a footy club to come away and win at a ground that is very, very hard to play at," he said.

"It's probably the one time you do enjoy a three-and-a-half, four-hour plane trip on the way home.

"The great thing for us is it gives our guys a belief that if they play to their potential they are a capable side.

"You know, we have probably only played to a six-out-of-ten prior to this game. We have been winning ugly.

"This is probably the first time that we took it to another level and played consistent footy, apart from that 10 minutes in the first quarter."

But Hardwick was quick to warn Tigers fans, who have only seen their side play finals twice in the past 30 years, not to get too excited.

"We're just scratching the surface, I think," he said.

"We've still got a lot of areas that we need to improve. We've got some players that are capable of coming back into this side, also, in Ellis, and Conca will be back after the break.

"But we've still got some areas we are deficient in that we need to improve, so let's just make sure we win our games coming up and whatever will be, will be."

Hardwick singled out the efforts of draftee Nick Vlastuin, captain Trent Cotchin and veteran Brett Deledio.

He said it was difficult to believe Vlastuin, who kicked three important goals, had only played five AFL games before lining up against West Coast.

Hardwick also said Shane Edwards, who kicked two goals before being substituted out of the game with an injury to his eye, was likely to travel back to Melbourne with the team.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-06-03/hardwick-post-match

[one-eyed]

Five talking points: West Coast v Richmond
By Sean Cowan
afl.com.au
10:53pm AEST Monday, June 3, 2013


1. The Tigers are the real deal...
There weren't too many punters who tipped Richmond. But what the Tigers proved tonight was that they are the real deal. Mauled last week by Essendon, the Richmond of a few years ago would have come to the west and been beaten. But Damien Hardwick's men have jumped into the top eight and, on this form, are a good chance to stay there. What was most impressive was the way in which they beat West Coast at their own game. The forward pressure was superb and when the Eagles went forward, they couldn't get clear enough to give decent delivery to their forwards. They lost the hit-outs but won the clearances. And their star, reigning Coleman medallist Jack Riewoldt, wasn't the only avenue to goal. Ty Vickery, Chris Newman, Shane Edwards and Nick Vlastuin were all dangerous, while Dustin Martin was in everything. With Adelaide, the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, North Melbourne and Gold Coast to come after next week's bye, the Tigers are sitting pretty.

2. ... and so is Nick Vlastuin
Last time he ran on to the ground at Paterson's Stadium, Nick Vlastuin was making his AFL debut against Fremantle. He impressed early and looked at home on the big stage before fading in the second half. This time around, last year's Vic Metro U18 captain was a threat for the entire match. He kicked two cracking goals in the first half, including one from a centre clearance, and then notched a classy third goal to seal the four points late in the third quarter. The youngster has quickly developed into a 20-plus possession player and looks likely to build an impressive career with Richmond. After the match, coach Damien Hardwick said it was difficult to believe Vlastuin had only played five AFL games before this match. “I think he only had 16 touches, but everything he does, he does to a very high level,” Hardwick said. “He’s got some areas of his game we’d like him to improve, but we think he’s going to be a very good player for us going forward.” It's enough to warm the hearts of success-starved Tigers fans everywhere.

3. Forget the top four, will West Coast make the eight?
Pre-season, they were one of the favourites for the flag. But an ordinary start to the year had them in trouble and the Eagles now face the unthinkable – they may miss the finals altogether. Consider this: West Coast hasn't beaten a team inside the top eight and have also been beaten by 11th-placed Port Adelaide. The Eagles' five wins have come against the teams placed 12th, 14th, 15th, 17th and 18th. They face an away match against St Kilda next week before the bye, which is followed by a horror run against Hawthorn, Essendon, Adelaide, Fremantle and the Sydney Swans. On tonight's form, they won't win any of those games. And, even if they beat St Kilda, they would be left with a 6-10 record. It's a tough ask to make the eight from there.

4. The jumper clash
Something has to be done about the jumpers worn by these two clubs for games in Perth. Unless you could recognise a particular player in this match, it was nearly impossible to work out whether it was an Eagle or a Tiger who had gathered the ball and emerged from a pack. West Coast's home strip hasn't really changed in the past five years. And the Richmond strip, for both home and away games, has been a black jumper with a gold sash since 1914 (other than on a couple of occasions for promotional purposes). Perhaps next time the Tigers travel west to play West Coast they should bring a clash jumper. Or West Coast could always wear their royal blue away jumpers.

5. WA Day footy a winner
Never before has West Coast, or Fremantle for that matter, played a match on WA Day. Previously known as Foundation Day, it has traditionally been the WAFL's big day of the year with derbies between East Fremantle and South Fremantle, and West Perth and East Perth leading to the sort of crowds that were enjoyed before West Coast entered the then-VFL. But Eagles supporters seemed keen to end their long weekends at the footy. Hundreds of them walked from Leederville Oval to Subiaco after the end of the Perth derby. A healthy crowd of 37,781 will ensure that AFL footy on WA Day becomes a regular fixture.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-06-03/five-talking-points-west-coast-v-richmond