Media articles and stats: Last-gasp Tigers bury Demons

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Match report: Last-gasp Tigers bury Demons

AFL.com.au
25 April 2017

RICHMOND       3.1    6.6    7.11    12.16    (88)                 
MELBOURNE    3.4    7.6    11.7    11.9      (75)

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 6, Castagna, Butler, Grigg, Rioli, Martin, Caddy
Melbourne: Hogan 3, Garlett 2, McDonald, Watts, Petracca, Salem, Hibberd, Hunt

BEST
Richmond: Riewoldt, Nankervis, Martin, Houli, Grigg, Caddy, Cotchin
Melbourne: Oliver, Hibberd, Hunt, N Jones, Frost, Petracca

INJURIES
Richmond: TBC
Melbourne: Petracca (left knee), Spencer (right shoulder/right knee), Smith (ribs), Viney (right knee)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Donlon, Fisher, Stevic

Official crowd: 85,657 at the MCG

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JACK Riewoldt was the hero on Monday night as Richmond overturned a 20-point deficit at the final change to beat Melbourne by 13 points and keep alive the Tigers' unbeaten start to the season.

The star forward and two-time Coleman medallist was crucial in keeping Richmond in the contest until three quarter-time before delivering two goals in the final term as the Tigers won 12.16 (88) to 11.9 (75) at the MCG.

In front of the biggest ever crowd for a game between the sides (85,657 fans), Riewoldt finished with six goals and as the standout player in the Anzac Day eve contest as an injury-hit Melbourne limped to the final siren.

The Dees had control of the game until three quarter-time but could never turn that into a big enough lead to completely douse Richmond's hopes.

And when ruckman Jake Spencer (shoulder) left the field in the second quarter with injury to join Tim Smith (ribs) as being out of the game, Melbourne was left with just two rotations on the bench.

The Tigers pounced on the weary and vulnerable Dees, with Dustin Martin (32 disposals) lifting in the last quarter and Bachar Houli (24), Josh Caddy (21, one goal) and Toby Nankervis (16 disposals, 56 hit-outs) instrumental in the victory.

It was Melbourne's third straight loss since its round two win over Carlton, and the Dees will rue the result after such statistical dominance (they led the inside 50 count 52 to 39 at the final change).

Former Bomber Michael Hibberd was his side's best player in his first game for the club with 27 disposals and six marks off half-back, while Clayton Oliver's emergence as a star midfielder continued with 32 touches. Jayden Hunt (24) and Dom Tyson (25) also played well, while Jesse Hogan booted three goals on return from suspension.

But this night will belong to Riewoldt and the Tigers.

The 28-year-old's brilliant first term was the main reason Richmond trailed by only three points at the first change given Melbourne had the bigger say on the contest in the opening term.

The star Tiger snapped two classy goals, and set up another for teammate Jason Castagna, but Richmond had just five inside 50 entries for the quarter. The Dees recorded 19, but couldn't make the most of their dominance as rain began to fall.

The drizzle dried up in the second term but the deluge of Demon forward entries did not. With the weight of numbers pressed against Richmond it seemed the dam was about to burst soon – but the Tigers just kept hanging on.

Hibberd's long-range goal in his first game since 2015 helped his new team to a 13-point advantage near the half-time break, in what would have been a lead that only somewhat represented Melbourne's dominance.

But with seconds remaining and the ball deep in Melbourne's defence, young Demon Alex Neal-Bullen booted it out on the full and Shaun Grigg snapped the goal on the half-time siren.

The game continued to be played in Melbourne's half of the ground almost exclusively, and when Jayden Hunt's thrilling speed saw him break clear and slot a running goal 10 minutes into the third term to push his side 19 points ahead, it was hard to picture Richmond working their way back.

Riewoldt responded with an amazing solo effort – again – to snag his fourth major but Melbourne hit back with two quick goals to extend its lead to 20 points by the final change.

For the Tigers to cut the deficit, something had to change. But the change had already come on the opposition's interchange bench.

With Melbourne down to two players through injury, Richmond sensed a chance to overrun the tiring Dees. The fourth term started with a Riewoldt goal (who else?), before Daniel Rioli and Martin chipped in with majors to level things.

The sides traded points before Riewoldt marked cleverly near the boundary line and converted the tough shot to give his team a match-winning advantage. Riewoldt's work was done and it had been some night at the office.

MEDICAL ROOM

Richmond: The Tigers appeared to get through the contest without any major fitness concerns.

Melbourne: New Demon Tim Smith went back with the flight of the ball in the second term and suffered a knee to the ribs. He left the field immediately and was taken to hospital. Melbourne's biggest concern will be ruckman Jake Spencer, who had a rough night that saw him finish on the bench with his arm in a sling after a shoulder injury. Christian Petracca had a scare in the opening term when he needed work on his left knee – the same one he had reconstructed in 2015 – but after some strapping he played out the game.

NEXT UP
The Dees will look to bounce back when they head to Etihad Stadium to take on Essendon next week. Richmond faces the most difficult task in footy so far this year as they travel to Adelaide to meet the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Sunday in a clash between two of the competition's unbeaten teams.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-24/match-report-lastgasp-tigers-bury-demons

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Tigers fight back to down undermanned Demons

Michael Gleeson
The Age
25 April 2017

RICHMOND 3.1 6.6 7.11 12.16 (88)
MELBOURNE 3.4 7.6 11.7 11.9 (75)

Goals:
Richmond: J Riewoldt 6 D Butler D Martin D Rioli J Caddy J Castagna S Grigg.
Melbourne: J Hogan 3 J Garlett 2 C Petracca C Salem J Hunt J Watts M Hibberd T McDonald.

Best:
Richmond: J Riewoldt, T Nankervis, D Martin, A Rance, J Caddy, B Ellis, D Rioli, S Grigg.
Melbourne: C Oliver, J Hunt, M Hibberd, S Frost,.J Watts, J Viney, D Tyson, N Jones, C Salem,

Umpires: Chris Donlon, Matt Stevic, Leigh Fisher.
Official Crowd: 85,657 at MCG.

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Depleted before being defeated, Melbourne again gave up a match winning lead, but this time didn't give up. Richmond conceded a match-defining lead, but never conceded on their way to their fifth win of the season.

Jack Riewoldt kept Richmond in the game when the play was against them and won the game for them when the momentum – that he shifted – turned in their favour.

As ever, Riewoldt drew the game around him. And goals. He kicked six.

The game of attrition that is football told in the end.

Jake Spencer was the slightly heart in mouth backup for the imperious Max Gawn. They had beards and height in common. Now they have injury, too. In the first term Spencer got injured, tried to come back on for a while and realised it was useless. So he was benched.

Soon after, he was joined by second-gamer Tim Smith after Alex Rance's knee went through his ribs in a marking contest. Christian Petracca went hobbling off and later returned with his knee bandaged. He was able to play out the game but not in the midfield – he played forward most of the night

Jack Watts, as he did against Geelong when Gawn went down injured, found himself once more as more than a ruck cameo. He shouldered the burden. Occasionally Sam Frost helped him, but largely Watts did it on his own.

This had multiple consequences. The first, that Toby Nankervis became a dominant figure. The second, that Rance – who had begun on Watts and not on Jesse Hogan – was freed up, when he pleased, from playing on a tall, to play a freer intercept role.

It also meant that in the early wet and slightly slippery conditions Melbourne were playing with an extra midfielder – Watts around the contest – but fewer players to rotate. The other consequence was that the competitor in Clayton Oliver – as good an inside player as there is in the game this year – worked off the hand of Nankervis and was industrious in the middle.

Melbourne bombed the ball into the forward line early and had six inside 50s without a goal. Naturally Richmond goaled with their first inside 50. Naturally it was Riewoldt, off a step. A minute later and he had another. Off a step again, this time with the other foot.

Melbourne would have felt the single kick half-time margin unreflective of their play, Richmond satisfied that the thinner than likely margin was reflective of their determination to keep scrapping.

The counter-attack method, which was not necessarily by design so much as a consequence of Melbourne midfield pressure, was effective. Richmond looked more threatening up forward than Melbourne, even if they were taking it forward less than Melbourne. Admittedly, Riewoldt required fewer opportunities.

At the final break Richmond was down 20 points, Melbourne down two men. The question was which absence would prove greater. The difference proved to be who Richmond had out there as much as who Melbourne didn't.

When the game needed to be pulled Richmond's way it was Riewoldt who stood up. Daniel Rioli, a creative presence all night, was calm enough to slot his chance when earlier Richmond had been squandering them. Then Dustin Martin lifted the 85,678 in the MCG from their seats.

But of course it was Jack who kicked the goal to give the Tigers the lead. It was Jack's night.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/richmond-tigers-snatch-comeback-win-over-melbourne-demons-to-stay-undefeated-20170424-gvrigu.html

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Jack Riewoldt stars with six goals as Richmond fights back to defeat Melbourne

Sam Landsberger,
Herald Sun
April 24, 2017 10:44pm

THE football gods have one mission to achieve in the next five years — get Jack Riewoldt to Grand Final day.

As the Richmond superstar ripped Melbourne to shreds with six goals on Monday night, the 85,657 at a packed MCG witnessed one of the greatest sounds our great game can produce.

On these two club’s biggest home-and-away stage, Riewoldt marked himself a hero.

It began in breathtaking fashion. From two rare forward entries, Riewoldt curled through a pair of goals — first snapping on his right boot and then the left.

The sound was spine-tingling. But it had nothing on the game-changer.

As Riewoldt lined up from the boundary at the city end and threaded the winner, the Tiger Army roared. It’s an iconic sound which has been grossly underplayed for the last 30 years.

And it was one you couldn’t help but want to hear replicated on a sunny September afternoon.

After a 5-0 start, a deep Tiger September surge has never looked more likely.

Suddenly Richmond only needs to win seven of 17 remaining games to return to September.

This was an epic, and you hope there are some meat pies left for Essendon and Collingwood on Tuesday after the record crowd between the clubs.

An Alex Rance rushed behind put Melbourne back in front before a Dustin Martin shot on the run returned it to equal footing seconds later.

Then it was Riewoldt’s turn to command the spotlight when he marked in the pocket.

The last quarter was dominated by a Tigers side full of run.

After a build-up which included Jesse Hogan’s smoking photo, his Demons were out of puff.

A ridiculous 75 per cent of the final quarter was played at Richmond’s end.

It was an exact reversal of the first half, where the Tigers played a Pagan’s Paddock-style game plan.

The Melbourne fade-out was a byproduct of ill health in front of the club’s biggest crowd since the 2000 Grand Final.

With Max Gawn on the comeback trail from hamstring surgery, they lost back-up ruckman Jake Spencer (shoulder).

They’d already lost Tim Smith (suspected punctured lung) to hospital and had Christian Petracca (knee) on one leg from the opening few minutes.

The reshuffle forced Jack Watts and Sam Frost into the ruck and Petracca largely forward with only two on the bench.

The Demons are 2-3 yet would feel they could be 5-0.

Every loss this season has been triggered by one poor quarter. It was the fourth quarter against Geelong, third against Fremantle and fourth against the Tigers.

Last week Jayden Hunt took himself to Luna Park for some cheering up after the Dockers defeat.

He might now need to book tickets to Disneyland. The Demons were 23 points clear in the third quarter and seemingly home.

Clayton Oliver won five clearances from 12 disposals in the third quarter and Hunt took another step towards becoming one of the game’s most watchable stars.

Michael Hibberd was clearly the best player in his club debut while kids Christian Salem, Alex Neale-Bullen and James Harmes were all impressing.

But the transformation from awesome to invisible occurred in a flash. Halfway through the last quarter 15 Demons had combined for eight disposals with just two fit players on the bench.

Coach Simon Goodwin often writes “Fearless” on his whiteboard.

Yet again that applied for only three quarters.

RICHMOND 3.1 6.6 7.11 12.16 (88)

MELBOURNE 3.4 7.6 11.7 11.9 (75)

GOALS

Tigers: Riewoldt 6, Castagna, Butler, Grigg, Rioli, Martin, Astbury

Demons: Hogan 3, Garlett 2, McDonald, Watts, Petracca, Salem, Hibberd, Hunt

BEST

Tigers: Riewoldt, Martin, Nankervis, Caddy, Houli, Grigg, Rance

Demons: Hibberd, Oliver, Hunt, Jones, Viney, Neale-Bullen

INJURIES

Tigers: TBC

Demons: Petracca (left knee), Spencer (right shoulder/right knee), Smith (ribs), Viney (right knee)

Reports: Nil

Official crowd: 85,657 at the MCG

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/jack-riewoldt-stars-with-six-goals-as-richmond-fight-back-to-defeat-melbourne/news-story/ac7a69ac4a048a335c5a5d7eb627dc32

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Anzac Day eve clash proves football is war and Richmond-Melbourne clash is here to stay

Mark Robinson,
Herald Sun
April 24, 2017 11:26pm

TWO misnomers were dismantled at the MCG on Monday night.

The first, and most contentious, was that the battle on the footy field and the battle in war were brothers in arms after all.

The second, and the most rewarding, was that Anzac Eve football is alive, popular and now part of the footy calendar.

That football could be - and should be - compared to battle was announced by Major General Fergus McLachlan in the official pre-game function.

Maj Gen McLachlan - who also carries the title of Commander of Forces Command - said footy and war were all wrapped around spirit and sacrifice and togetherness and courage.

He said it’s difficult to compare it to, say, Cameron Baird “who charged into a building in complete chaos and violence, he was Superman, he won a Victorian Cross’’.

“But for the vast majority of us in the services, there are so many similarities between sport and our life, footy especially ... your head over the ball, looking after your mates, putting aside your personal aspirations - we’re in the same business.

“Players in the rooms downstairs right now would be feeling nervous and anxious, the same feeling for a group of soldiers who were going out the next day.

“The feeling is the same. It’s why sport is so great.”

In that sense, the spirit of Richmond overwhelmed Melbourne at the MCG.

More than 85,000 people attended the game - won by the Tigers with a powerhouse final quarter - an event Collingwood president Eddie McGuire did not want on the AFL schedule when he first learned an Anzac eve game was being planned in 2014.

“Its stuns me ... come up with something fresh,’’ McGuire said. “We are oversubscribed on Anzac Day already. If you have the same sort of thing the night before, it’s like having Christmas twice.’’

McGuire has lost this fight and as AFL officials walked off into the night, they could be heard singing hark the herald angels sing.

Yep, the brainchild of Tigers official Simon Matthews, and warmly embraced by both Richmond and Melbourne, this third Anzac eve clash attracted the biggest crowd ever between these two teams.

Little wonder the AFL was thrilled with the turnout and spectacle on a night where rain was promised.

Of course, when the Tigers win it is something special.

They are 5-0 and Tiger Army is awake. The noise as firstly Jack Riewoldt, then Dan Rioli, Dustin Martin, Jack again and finally Josh Caddy all kicked goals in the final quarter was like a volcano rumbling. When the siren sounded, the noise was raw and explosive and contagious.

Who knows if the Tigers are truly back, but they are 5-0 when the Swans are 0-5 and the Hawks 1-4 and the Demons are 2-3.

When you look at it like that, they are back enough.

Riewoldt was awesome. He kicked six, including the first two goals of the game, and has become the player we and Richmond always wanted him to become.

Just the one tackle dragged down his career-best season average, but let’s be honest, kicking goals is more important.

At 28 and Richmond’s most experienced player, Riewoldt has complemented Trent Cotchin and Alex Rance rather than overwhelm them and arguably the much-maligned Richmond leadership group - of just three - is finally perfect.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/expert-opinion/mark-robinson/anzac-day-eve-clash-proves-football-is-war-and-richmondmelbourne-clash-is-here-to-stay/news-story/427ff10a1f029f4371d10f8dd38222a0

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‘How are we going to control them?’

Herald-Sun
25 April 2017

RICHMOND fans are full of belief after a pulsating victory over the Melbourne Demons continued their perfect start to the 2017 season.

An undermanned Melbourne side showed great courage, but the Demons had no answer for a rampaging Richmond, led by Jack Riewoldt.

A crowd of 85,657 fans packed into the Melbourne Cricket Ground - a record for a home and away match between the two sides, and they were treated to something special.

Damien Hardwick’s men were down by 23 points late in the third quarter, but ran over the top of the depleted Demons to take a thrilling 12.16 (88) to 11.9 (75) win.

Jack Riewoldt almost single-handedly kept the Tigers in it, kicking five of their eight goals at one stage, and finished with a six-goal haul.

The gutsy Demons, missing Tim Smith and Jake Spencer in the second half, led by 20 points at three-quarter-time but Richmond finished full of running to snatch victory with a five-goals-to-nil final term.

Dustin Martin was under an injury cloud all week, but he was at his bullocking best as he amassed a team-high 32 disposals and kicked a crucial last-quarter goal, while Alex Race was a rock in defence.

Led by Nathan Jones, Clayton Oliver and Dom Tyson, Melbourne’s midfield held sway for large patches of the match, while defender Michael Hibberd was outstanding in his first game for his new club.

The Demons were left to rue their heavy injury toll with Smith taken to hospital after copping a big hit to the ribs and Spencer suffering a shoulder injury.

The Tigers are now 5-0 for the first time in 23 years and have given fans belief that the missed opportunities of the past are behind the club.

AFL premiership winner Johnathan Brown said he was not sold on the Tigers, but the win over the Demons at the MCG shows they are the genuine article in 2017 — despite their real litmus test coming next weekend, when Richmond face the only other undefeated side, Adelaide.

“I think they’ll be convinced tonight that they can be a decent side the Tigers,” Brown said. “They haven’t really played anyone up until this point, but Melbourne are a good side, but that’s a big confidence builder going into next week — it’s huge.”

AFL legend Dermot Brereton was in the Richmond dressing room post-match and said the club will have a hard time playing down the hype after another terrific display.

“They were fantastic. You know when you go into rooms and you can just feel emotion when you get a win, and then sometimes you can feel a little extra emotion,” Brereton revealed.

“This win meant a lot to the Tigers tonight, it’s a great atmosphere.

“I saw Justin Leppitsch giggling in the corner, he was saying ‘how are we going to control them?’, these guys know this is really special for them.”

Even former Demons coach Paul Roos was full of praise for the Tigers, saying Monday night’s display showed a real change in character for the club, in a year where coach Damien Hardwick was under pressure to keep his job.

“I think when you get in the rooms you get a really good feeling how players respond to a win,” Roos said.

“Everyone sings the song, but that was sung with gusto. I think they understand that Melbourne were undermanned, but you still have to win the game.”

“It’s fantastic, Richmond have been under the pump, Dimma (Hardwick) has been under the pump, the 5-0 start is fantastic for the footy club.”

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-roaring-after-stunning-comeback/news-story/7d4e78c6cbca8b01d95db2845802d9ce