Media articles & stats / Tigers down feisty Dons in scrappy contest

[one-eyed]

Tigers down feisty Dons in scrappy contest

Callum Twomey 
afl.com.au
August 29, 2015 10:00 PM

ESSENDON   2.0      5.0      6.2      7.5   (47)
RICHMOND  1.4      4.10    7.12    10.14   (74)         

GOALS
Essendon: Hooker 3, McKenna, McKernan, Howlett, Dempsey
Richmond: Vickery 2, Deledio 2, Maric, Martin, Thomas, Grigg, Miles, Edwards

BEST
Essendon: Heppell, Hurley, Hooker, McKernan, Stanton, O'Brien
Richmond: McIntosh, Lennon, Thomas, Deledio, Houli

INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Richmond: Deledio (possible concussion)

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Jackson Merrett replaced Conor McKenna at three-quarter time.
Richmond: Sam Lloyd replaced Chris Newman in the third quarter.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Hosking, Schmitt, Ryan

Official crowd: 37,864 at the MCG.

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RICHMOND'S pursuit of a top-four spot remains within reach after the Tigers overcame a dogged Essendon line-up on Saturday night, winning by 27 points at the MCG.

In wet and slippery conditions, the Bombers made the Tigers work hard for the 10.14 (74) to 7.5 (47) victory in veteran Paul Chapman's final AFL game.

Damien Hardwick's team wasn't at its best (the Bombers won the contested possession and tackle count), but could have sealed the win earlier if not for inaccuracy in front of goal.

The win sees the Tigers join the Western Bulldogs and fourth-placed Sydney Swans on 56 points, although Richmond will need to rely on the Swans unexpectedly dropping one of their final two games (against St Kilda and Gold Coast) to grab the double chance.

If they don't, the Tigers' healthy percentage (121.4 per cent) all but confirms they will host an elimination final in the first week of the finals, against North Melbourne or Adelaide. 

The performances of Tigers youngsters Ben Lennon and Kamdyn McIntosh would have been most pleasing for the club, with both among Richmond's best in the workmanlike win.

McIntosh's 27 disposals were the most for his team and were influential, including one miracle run of soccer-kicks that ended in an important third-quarter goal for Dustin Martin.

Lennon, in his seventh consecutive game, had 16 classy disposals and took nine marks in a polished display. The second-year forward has added some extra finish to Richmond's forward half in the past two months since earning his spot at senior level.

Brandon Ellis (24 disposals) was consistent, while Brett Deledio stood up when his team called on him, the star midfielder booting two goals from 22 touches.

Deledio ended the game sore, however, after being slung to the ground by Bomber Courtenay Dempsey in the final minutes.

Dempsey's dangerous tackle is sure to attract scrutiny from the Match Review Panel, given Deledio had dropped the ball well before being slammed into the turf.

Despite nothing riding on the result, the Bombers stayed competitive. The conditions seemed to work in their favour, as they simplified what has been a confusing game plan this year to send the ball forward at all costs.

Cale Hooker kicked three goals against star Richmond defender Alex Rance to take his tally to 18 majors since round 14, while at the other end of the ground Michael Hurley kept Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt under wraps.

The Bombers' energy was clear early on. Conor McKenna opened the scoring five minutes into the opening term, kicking Essendon's first goal with his first kick in the AFL.

It was fitting the Irishman did not have to wait long before he made an impact.

His football career has been in turbo mode after playing the first game of football in his life just last year, being flown to Australia, scouted by several clubs, choosing the Bombers and then developing this season in the VFL.

His right-foot checkside goal from close range was the highlight of a scrappy and low-scoring opening term, which Essendon won by three points.

The tide looked set to turn in Richmond's favour when Ty Vickery kicked two goals in as many minutes early in the second quarter, but the Bombers remained stoic.

Stand-in skipper Dyson Heppell and Brent Stanton were busy with more than 30 disposals between them to half-time, but the class of Lennon in attack (he had seven marks and 12 touches at the main break) and skill of Deledio helped Richmond to a four-point lead.

The Tigers extended it to 16 points at the final change and kicked three goals to one in the final term to bump up their percentage a little more. It again exposed the Bombers' lack of firepower in attack, and was the 13th game this season they have failed to kick more than 10 goals.

But for the Tigers it was just a tune-up. They did what they needed to do with a minimum of fuss and with their captain Trent Cotchin watching from the stands nursing a sore back. For Hardwick, Cotchin and the rest of the yellow and black army, much bigger things await.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-29/tigers-down-feisty-dons-in-scrappy-contest-

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Five talking points: Essendon v Richmond
AFL.com.au
August 30, 2015

1. Dempsey dumps Deledio
There were serious concerns for the wellbeing of Richmond champion Brett Deledio when he was hurled to the ground, landing on the back of his neck in a vicious sling tackle from Courtenay Dempsey that is certain to come under heavy scrutiny from the Match Review Panel. The incident – which took place when the result was beyond doubt late in the last quarter – sparked a melee as the Tigers rushed to show their disapproval. Deledio lay prostrate before getting to his feet, pushing away trainers and leaving the field of his own volition. He didn't return.

2. Bombers blood Irishman
Essendon's Irish debutant Conor McKenna had an eventful opening five minutes in AFL football. The 19-year-old's initiation began before the first bounce as several Tigers bumped into him. But it wasn't long before the former Gaelic footballer from Tyrone in Northern Ireland joined the club of players who have scored a goal with their first kick. In cold, wet conditions he would be well accustomed to, McKenna received a pass from big man Shaun McKernan and the little No. 45 – who earned his promotion after kicking 18 goals in 15 VFL games this season – used his pace to scoot into an open goal. He was then mobbed for a second time … by his own teammates. McKenna had four touches before being handed the red vest at three-quarter-time.

3. Chappy's final fling
It wasn't the kind of result Paul Chapman had hoped for in his 280th and final AFL appearance, but the 33-year-old still managed to give a reasonable account of himself given injury had sidelined him since round 11. He was unlucky to give away a 50-metre penalty late in the first term, resulting in Richmond's first goal, but got involved with the type of tenacity that has been a feature of the career of one of the great forward/midfielders. At one point the veteran had to chase Brett Deledio 60 metres down the wing. He won't miss that.

4. McIntosh's super soccer skills
On a rain-soaked MCG, sinking the slipper was the order of the night – and Richmond midfielder Kamdyn McIntosh did it four times in the same passage of play … with stunning results. Four minutes into the third term, with the Tigers leading by four points, McIntosh toe-poked the ball off the ground several times in front of himself – with either foot if-ya-don't-mind – to tease a chasing Brent Stanton, before hoofing a right-footer off the deck onto the chest of an unattended Dustin Martin, who casually goaled. Ten minutes later, Bomber speedster Dempsey slipped while running into an open goal, but managed to convert while lying down.

5. Ty's timely ton
Richmond's much-maligned key forward Ty Vickery celebrated his 100th game in career-best form after bagging 10.0 in his previous two games. It was always going to be hard going for marking players in inclement conditions at the MCG, and Vickery didn't get his first possession until seven minutes into the second term. But he made the most of it, goaling on the run from 40 metres to put the Tigers in front for the first time. Two minutes later he slotted another, this time from a 40-metre set shot. That gave him 14 goals without a miss. Nearing half-time, after Essendon had responded with three successive goals, he passed to Brett Deledio on the lead, resulting in another major that regained the lead for Richmond. Each of Vickery's first three kicks directly resulted in goals. At the other end, Cale Hooker (three goals) and Alex Rance waged an engaging duel with Hooker taking the honours.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-29/five-talking-points-bombers-v-tigers

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Tigers pull away from Dons in hard slog
Herald-Sun
August 30, 2015

IT WAS a no-frills win Richmond would take on any wet MCG night.

A tough, hard slog that will require a queue at the Punt Road Oval ice-baths to ease aching bodies at Sunday recovery.

To beat Essendon, another traditional suburban rival, by 27 points for the second time this season was the bonus for keeping alive those top four ambitions.

Pre-game showers that continued well into the first half ensured the normally free-scoring Tigers were never going to amass the percentage boost that may be critical to earn the finals double chance. A measly 10 goals from 64 inside 50 entries illustrated the impossible task.

Yes, there was that Tiger trademark quick transition from the backline through the centre corridor. And those options to build a tally were further hampered by Jack Riewoldt being held goalless by Bomber defender Michael Hurley.

Tiger colleague Ty Vickery again stood tall and effective in his 100th game with another valuable contribution. He kicked two goals, gave off another and generally provided a forward presence, even finding space for the inevitable spilling balls.

Essendon’s recent struggles to compile a competitive total were always going to continue, this time floundering against the organised Richmond backline so well-led by Alex Rance and his Tiger mates.

The only real concern for Richmond was a heavy head knock to Brett Deledio in the last few minutes of the contest from Courtenay Dempsey’s frightening sling tackle that will attract the AFL match review panel’s attention.

Richmond was poised the break open the contest when Kamdyn McIntosh cleverly advanced the wet ball with three toe-pokes around the southern wing to set up a Dusty Martin goal early in the third quarter.

But the Tigers struggled for goals despite the weight of inside 50 advances as the persistent high balls made it tough for marking targets Riewoldt and Vickery.

Matt Thomas and Shaun Grigg added goals with kicks that slithered through across the rain-soaked turf, but the 16 points lead at the last change didn’t seem safe, even in such difficult scoring conditions.

To no-one’s surprise in the Irish-type weather, Essendon’s promoted rookie Conor McKenna joined that illustrious list of first kick-first goal achievers.

The 19-year-old was swamped by teammates after Shaun McKernan drew an opponent and handballed to the unmarked new boy who ran to the goalline just five minutes into the game.

Essendon’s pressure and endeavour caught the Tigers by surprise and it delivered the first two goals to the committed Bombers.

But Richmond gradually settled with ruckman Ivan Maric gifted the first goal when retiring Don Paul Chapman infringed the protected area and gave away a 50m penalty in time-on of the opening quarter.

On a night not suited to the tall targets, Vickery overshadowed Riewoldt by playing smart in the slippery conditions to contribute three goals in the tight second quarter.

He regularly found space out the back to shake off opponent Jake Carlisle. It allowed Vickery to pounce on a loose ball with time to straighten a goal on the run and he converted from a juggled chest mark. Then he slipped away again to spear a pass to Deledio on the lead for another goal that edged the Tigers into the lead just before the half-time break.

Really, Richmond should have gone into the long break with a far more substantial scoreboard advantage — four goals from 37 inside 50s was a poor return even in the wet conditions.

RICHMOND 10.14 (74)

ESSENDON 7.5 (47)

GOALS

Richmond: Deledio 2, Vickery 2, Miles, Martin, Maric, Thomas, Edwards, Grigg

Essendon: Hooker 3, Howlett, Dempsey, McKenna, McKernan

BEST

Richmond: Rance, McIntosh, Deledio, Edwards, Lennon, Miles

Essendon: Hurley, Stanton, Hooker, Heppell, Goddard, O’Brien

VOTES

3. Alex Rance (Richmond)

2. Kamdyn McIntosh (Richmond)

1. Brett Deledio (Richmond)


Umpires: Justin Schmitt, Ben Ryan, Brendan Hosking

Official Crowd: 37,864 at MCG.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2015-richmond-defeats-essendon-at-mcg-in-round-22/story-fni5f22o-1227504336677

[one-eyed]

Steady Tigers weather the Essendon storm

Rohan Connolly
The Age
August 30, 2015


RICHMOND  1.4  4.10   7.12   10.14 (74)
ESSENDON  2.0   5.0     6.2      7.5 (47)

Goals:
Richmond: B Deledio 2, T Vickery 2, A Miles, D Martin, I Maric, M Thomas, S Edwards, S Grigg.
Essendon: C Hooker 3, B Howlett, C Dempsey, C McKenna, S McKernan.

BEST:
Richmond: Deledio, Houli, McIntosh, Ellis, Miles, Vlastuin, Grigg, Edwards.
Essendon: Stanton, Hooker, Hurley, Heppell, McKernan.

Umpires: Justin Schmitt, Ben Ryan, Brendan Hosking.
Official Crowd: 37,864 at MCG.

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Geelong discovered to their cost on Friday evening that having a spot to play for in September doesn't necessarily guarantee a more committed performance than a team  that doesn't.

Just 24 hours later at the same venue, that was a mistake Richmond wasn't going to make. The Tigers showed an admirable capacity to weather the storm, literally as well as metaphorically in this case, and emerge on top.

That steadiness hasn't been a trademark of Punt Road in the modern era. But its discovery under coach Damien Hardwick is a major reason Richmond will play a  part in a third successive finals campaign in a couple of week.

In difficult conditions, the Tigers couldn't hit the side of a barn early on, while their opponent couldn't miss.

But even then, Richmond was dominating play. And the quiet confidence that given enough of that dominance the results would come was eventually justified, six goals to two in the second half and an eventual 27-point victory the proof.

Much of this game was played in the wet, which made Essendon's first two goals of the game seem even more critical than usual.

Shane Edwards had missed a chance for Richmond to get the first crack at the scoreboard. The Bombers took theirs, and there was a touch of football romance about it, Irishman Conor McKenna joining that now-burgeoning band of players to goal with their first touch in the AFL.

The little man was able to run in and snap from point blank range after a clever chip from ruckman Shaun McKernan, the sense already that such opportunities were going to be like gold.

Kamdyn McIntosh burned another for the Tigers before Cale Hooker made another Essendon chance count, a checkside snap in traffic making it two goals to zip.

Which is how things continued for quite a while. Richmond quickly established a territorial edge, but couldn't convert.

The Tigers were lucky to have even a goal on the board at the first change, the result of a dodgy 50-metre penalty against Paul Chapman in his final game after the triple premiership Cat had run behind Ivan Maric chasing an opponent as the big ruckman prepared to roost the ball towards the goals.

By early in the second term, Richmond's wastefulness had become ridiculous. Brett Deledio was beginning to exert more of his class on proceedings, Bachar Houli was dangerous out of defence, Shane Edwards likewise up forward.

But none could find the target, an Edwards miss from close range and another by Jack Riewoldt leaving Richmond 1.6 and still trailing despite having doubled Essendon for inside 50s.

It was Ty Vickery who eventually straightened things up with two goals in a couple of minutes. The first came when he was the only one of a good half-dozen Tigers and Dons not to hit a contest at full tilt, taking  the resultant crumbs at the back of the pack and goalling on the run from 35 metres.

In the Tiges' next genuine attack, Vickery got on the end of a chip pass and from 40 metres repeated the dose. Richmond's lead was suddenly 12 points.

Just as you got the "here we go" feeling, Essendon breathed life again. It was McKernan who revived hopes with a checkside snap, then Hooker converting a free kick. Buzzing, the Bombers lifted palpably, and when Ben Howlett nailed Dylan Grimes holding the ball and cashed in on the free kick, Essendon hit the lead once more.

That, however, was pretty much it. Deledio restored Richmond's lead by half-time. And in the third term, the Tigers finally started to get value for effort, albeit in unorthodox fashion.

Dustin Martin's first goal of the quarter followed three consecutive kicks off the ground by McIntosh, the last "hoof" as effective as any conventional kick in the greasy conditions.

Matt Thomas dribbled the next through. Richmond's third of the term was another "soccer" effort from the busy Shaun Grigg. And Deledio's class once again and Anthony Miles' steadiness within the first four minutes of the last quarter settled the issue once and for all.

It was the sort of game Richmond even 12 months ago could easily have lost. And the mere fact the Tigers no longer drop these sorts of games is the very reason they've got a much better chance of some success in September this time around, too.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/steady-tigers-weather-the-essendon-storm-20150829-gjatfi.html