VFL Tigers wear down Zebras to bounce backBy Brenton Mann
Richmond Media
17 June 2023RICH 2.2 7.8 8.8 12.15 (87)
SAND 2.7 3.8 7.12 7.13 (55)
Goal Kickers:
Richmond: Olden (2), Coulthard (2), Bradtke (2), Melville, Lefau, Johnson, Hicks, Faimalo, Banks.
Best Players: Banks, Brown, Coulthard, Dow, Trezise, Johnson.
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Tempestuous conditions greeted Richmond and Sandringham for their Round 13 clash at the Swinburne Centre on Saturday afternoon, as the Tigers bounced back from its loss to Werribee last week with a mature 32-point win over the Zebras.
The hosts kicked nine of their 12 goals with the wind, putting the result beyond doubt with a four-goal burst at the back end of the last quarter, the final score reading 12.15 (87) to 7.13 (55).
The Tigers were the first to strike in the opening term via Cam Olden.
Olden’s strength above his head belies his height, and the Leongatha product showed good judgement as his helicopter set-shot curled on the inside of the goal post.
13 scoring shots equating to four goals collectively in the first quarter suggested the breeze was harder to read than the greens at Los Angeles Country Club.
Matthew Coulthard has fitted into life at Tigerland seamlessly and showed his spring on the outer wing, which led to Mykelti Lefau goaling from close range.
Sandringham clung to a narrow five-point lead at the first change, which was quickly eroded by Bigoa Nyuon and Coulthard.
Nyuon got in behind his man and was found by Steely Green with a well-weighted kick, which set the Tigers’ big man on a path to goal.
Coulthard rode shot gun and was handed the ball by Nyuon in the goal square, ramming through Richmond’s third major.
Tom Brown picked up where he left off last week, providing poise and precision from the back half.
To say Brown had a frustrating start to the year would be an understatement, however the second-year Tiger is playing with presence and a want to have the ball in his hands.
There was a 16-minute goalless period in the second quarter before Austin Johnson showed unshakeable courage in the air and cashed in following a 50-metre penalty.
Richmond’s pressure and ability to keep the ball in its front half was a highlight, and showcased when Misilifi Faimalo trapped a Zebras’ defender cold, handing the ball to Sam Banks whose long-range shot on goal sailed through.
Faimalo added his name to the goalkickers' tally after being awarded a down-the-field free kick.
Seconds before the half-time siren, Brad Melville was ploughed into the turf inside 50 and justly rewarded a shot on goal after the siren.
Melville coolly converted, giving the Tigers a five-goal quarter, and pushing their lead out to four goals.
Sandringham slotted its fourth goal early in the third quarter, before another elongated period of no goals for either side.
Coulthard snapped the mini-drought following a composed pass by Banks to find the small forward free at the top of the goal square.
The Zebras kicked back-to-back goals, dragging the margin to eight points in the shadows of three-quarter-time.
Sandy then sliced into the Tigers’ lead even further with a goal in the final minutes before the siren, setting up an enthralling final term.
Richmond played the game on its terms early in the last quarter and peppered the goals without maximum reward.
It took 15:52 for the first goal of the last quarter to be kicked, after Olden flung his right boot at a bobbling ball, which floated over the goal umpire’s hat.
Olden was involved in the Tigers’ second goal of the quarter five minutes later after being shoved to the ground off the ball.
Kaelan Bradtke was the final link of an impressive Richmond back-half chain which saw Coulthard leave a herd of Zebras in his wake.
Bradtke was marched to the goalline as a result of Olden’s free kick, extending the Tigers’ lead to three goals.
Angus Hicks’ quickfire snap from congestion sailed through as Richmond rapidly built on its lead.
Bradtke found himself free on the goalline once again, as Tom Brindley and Coulthard shared the ball inside 50 and unselfishly handed the Tigers’ big man his second major.
Richmond maturely built its matching-winning lead in the last quarter, finally wearing Sandringham down as the final siren sounded.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1359682/vfl-tigers-wear-down-zebras-to-bounce-back
