Bolton, Prestia take charge as Tigers topple EaglesJon Pierik
The Age
May 6, 2023 — 5.05pmOn a day the revered Richmond 1973 premiership team celebrated its 50th anniversary, a heavy bump by Liam Baker into the midriff of West Coast Eagle Andrew Gaff would surely have warmed the hearts of the Tigers of yesteryear.
Baker’s clash at half-forward in the second term of a largely grinding affair led to a late Tim Taranto goal, giving the Tigers a nine-point edge at the main break.
This was a day the Tigers, having slipped to 16th on the ladder, had to flex some muscle. That they did with a 46-point win over the bottom-placed Eagles, but what it really means will only be evident when they face powerhouse Geelong at the MCG on Friday night. Remember, the Blues thumped the Eagles by 106 points last weekend.
“If we look at the way we play, we have been doing some phases really well, our defence and our contest work has been very good. What has let us down is our offence,” said Richmond coach Damien Hardwick post-match.
“We are hoping today we take some lessons out of that and some confidence out of that to attack the game against one of the best sides, if not the best side in the competition.
“They [Cats] have really hit their straps … they are a great test, we always have great games against them. I hope our fans get out and support a great contest.”
The Tigers have had trouble scoring this season, having slipped in scores from turnovers and overall efficiency once they go inside attacking 50. They still remain issues, but there were signs of improvement against the under-manned Eagles.
Having fallen behind by a point when Jack Darling goaled a shade under 20 minutes into the third term, the Tigers responded with four goals from five inside 50s inside six minutes. Their pressure inside attacking 50 lifted, and Dion Prestia prospered. The hard-running midfielder in his return game booted three straight running goals, the Tigers ignited by a clever tap by ruckman Samson Ryan at a stoppage and a running snap by Shai Bolton.
“He is a pretty special player, Dion, and he played really hurt at the start of the year, and he put his hand up to play,” said Hardwick.
“We didn’t really have a lot of other magnets to promote opportunity, so for him to come back, have a rest and rejig, I thought was pretty important today. For him to hit the scoreboard when it mattered, it sort of broke the game open from there.”
The Tigers know how to play burst football. In the second term, they had taken charge when a dozen straight inside 50s turned a seven-point deficit at the first change into a 10-point lead. Come the final term, the Tigers almost did as they pleased, the Eagles lacking dare.
Bolton was back to his influential best. While he hasn’t quite had the impact he had wanted recently, this game was a welcome sign, for he finished with 31 disposals, a season high, 13 score involvements, seven clearances and three goals.
“Generally when Shai is playing well, we are playing well,” Hardwick said.
Taranto, who is likely leading the Tigers’ best and fairest count, was typically tough at the stoppages. He had 30 disposals and 10 clearances, including more than 20 pressure acts, and scrounged through the closing nail in the final term. Hopper had 32 touches, 10 clearances and delivered 644 metres gained. Co-captain Dylan Grimes silenced Kennedy, while fellow defenders Nick Vlastuin and Nathan Broad were steady.
“Those two boys, what we have brought in with Hopper and Taranto, we wouldn’t be anywhere where we need to be and, more importantly, we wouldn’t be anywhere near we want to be without those two boys. They have been wonderful for our footy club,” Hardwick said.
Veteran Eagle Dom Sheed was robust through the midfield, while Tim Kelly and Jamaine Jones had plenty of the ball on a day Oscar Allen’s fine comeback season continued with four goals.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson said his team was “overwhelmed” from midway through the third term. “For our club at the moment, it’s been a challenge to win,” he said. “For our group at the moment, there is growth from experience.”
Pain gameThe Eagles have had an injury list as long as the Nullarbor, having had 18 players unavailable this week. Naturally, there was a collective groan from all involved at the club when young star Jai Culley fell to the turf innocuously in the first term and clutched his knee. He was helped from the field by trainers, and will have scans on what is feared to be a serious injury.
Dusty daysDustin Martin had averaged 21 disposals but kicked only one goal over the past three weeks heading into this contest. He spent most of the afternoon at half-forward, finishing with 27 touches, 347m gained and a late goal. He also had a direct hand in Prestia’s first goal late in the third term, and remains dangerous when near the ball. Some pundits doubt whether the three-time Norm Smith medallist still has the consistent burst to turn a game, but he is still elite.
Flying highOscar Allen has been one of the few Eagles’ success stories this season. Having missed the entire 2022 campaign because of injury, Allen has been a force up forward. A strong marking tall, Allen’s touch was on show when he sharked a loose ball off the pack and snapped the Eagles’ second of the afternoon. Allen prospered from a Noah Cumberland brain fade in the second term, the Tiger having kicked the ball into the boundary fence - after Noah Balta’s initial kick was out on the full. This led to a 50-metre penalty, the ensuing pass marked by Allen, who converted. Cumberland, having won a reprieve at selection when Ivan Soldo was a late withdrawal, was taken from the field. He was subbed off in the third term, and replaced by Rhyann Mansell.
Best:Richmond: Taranto, Bolton, Prestia, Hopper, Martin.
West Coast: Allen, Sheed, Jones, Kelly.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bolton-prestia-take-charge-as-tigers-topple-eagles-20230505-p5d66d.html
