‘Felt like grand final day’: Winning send-off for Richmond champions as Dusty winds back clockBy Damien Ractliffe
The Age
August 20, 2023 Richmond have given club greats Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin a winning send-off, overcoming North Melbourne at the MCG by 29 points, in a match that was surrounded by grand final-like celebrations.
The pair went through the banner with their kids pre-match, and then did a lap of honour with their teammates following behind them after the win, before pulling up in front of the goal square at the Punt Road end where they thanked the crowd in front of Richmond’s three most recent premiership cups.
While neither Riewoldt nor Cotchin played starring roles in their 292nd match together, teammates Dustin Martin and Shai Bolton were among the stars to make sure the Tigers sent their champions into retirement with a win, and Tigers coach Andrew McQualter said there was no doubt Martin rose for the occasion.
Eight minutes into the match, Martin passed the ball to Riewoldt to give him a chance to put an early highlight on the board, but a couple of minutes after Riewoldt shanked the set shot, Martin took it upon himself to kick the first goal of the day and get the team rolling.
Martin had an equal team-high 12 disposals in the opening term, but the Roos kicked the first three goals of the second quarter – in Jack Ziebell’s final game for the club – to turn a five-point quarter-time deficit into a 14-point lead.
But the Tigers clicked into gear midway through the second quarter, booting seven of the next eight goals, including two to Bolton, a second to Martin, and one for Riewoldt.
It wasn’t a vintage moment from the power forward, but it was a highlight, nonetheless, pouncing on a loose ball at the top of the goal square and rushing to get it onto his left foot before he was tackled by Ben McKay.
The ball barely hit his boot, but it trickled over the goal line to give Riewoldt his 787 career major.
Cotchin had arguably the first scoring chance of the day, but didn’t take the set shot from 50 metres out, electing to pass it off short.
The three-time premiership skipper had 11 disposals, seven contested possessions and four clearances in the first half and finished with 18 touches, enjoying the applause of the Richmond faithful each time he got it in the last quarter.
Martin kicked his third in the third quarter, and then passed one off to Cotchin to give him a shot at goal, but he wasn’t able to make the most of the opportunity.
Cotchin set Noah Balta up for the sealer early in the last, and then came to the bench to a standing ovation, while Riewoldt had three shots at goal late in the final term, but couldn’t slot any of them, despite having 90 per cent of the crowd in his corner.
Ziebell was thrown forward late, and had a difficult set shot of his own in the dying minutes, but was also unable to capitalise.
Riewoldt said the build-up to the match had been huge.
“It felt like grand final day today,” he said.
“I don’t think it’ll sink in [that I’ve retired] ’til round one next year when I come along and sit in the crowd … and watch the Tiges run around and yell at the umpires and scream at our team and cheer for the yellow and black.
“There really is no better job in the world than playing for Richmond.”
Cotchin let the emotion get the better of him, letting slip an expletive in an emotional tribute to Riewoldt.
“To this bloke here, it’s been an absolute f***** joy,” he said post-match.
“Footy’s a special game, it brings people together through the power of story. I’m just grateful for the journey, it’s been amazing.
“Look how many came out. It’s pretty special. It’s an amazing footy club.”
McQualter said the celebrations in the rooms had similar vibes to a grand final, and he foresaw a few hungover players at the club on Sunday. But he said the players had spoken about the two-week block to end the season, and expected the Tigers to be competitive next week against Port Adelaide, even without their two club greats.
Green shootsIf North Melbourne fans are looking for some silver linings going into 2024, Nick Larkey and Tarryn Thomas have again showed they’ve got a touch of class.
Thomas streamed out of the centre bounce to start the second quarter, but put the kick inside 50 over Larkey’s head.
The key forward wasn’t impressed, letting Thomas know the kick had to go short to his advantage.
But just moments later, after Thomas won a free kick for holding the ball, he put his next kick inside-50 to the hot spot, setting up Larkey for his second goal of the day.
Larkey finished with a bag of six, taking his season tally to 62 and giving All-Australian selectors something to think about, while Thomas kicked 2.2 and had four clearances, all from centre bounces.
Alastair Clarkson likened North Melbourne’s position to that of Richmond a decade ago, and said Larkey needed more support up forward.
Luke Davies-Uniacke was a late out with a foot injury, however Harry Sheezel again starred across the backline to maintain his stronghold on Rising Star favouritism.
Unfortunately, Luke McDonald’s season ended prematurely when he pinged his hamstring midway through the second quarter.
Tigers recordWith 292 games together in the same team, Riewoldt and Cotchin hold the record for the most games played together by Richmond teammates.
They beat the previous Tigers record of 289, set by Kevin Bartlett and Francis Bourke, just a few weeks ago.
But they ultimately finish 15 games shy of the AFL record set by Adelaide greats Andrew McLeod and Tyson Edwards.
Only Tom Hawkins and Joel Selwood have been passed the 300-game barrier in recent years, finishing on 305 in last year’s grand final.
Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom played their 282nd game together on Friday night.
RICHMOND 3.2 10.5 11.10 14.17 (101)
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.3 6.7 10.7 10.12 (72)
GOALS – Richmond: Bolton 4, Martin 3, Balta 2, Soldo 2, Prestia, Riewoldt, Nankervis.
North Melbourne: Larkey 6, Thomas 2, Curtis, Taylor.
BEST – Richmond: Martin, Bolton, Hopper, Nankervis, Cotchin, Soldo.
North Melbourne: Larkey, Thomas, Sheezel, Scott.
INJURIES - North Melbourne: Luke McDonald (hamstring)
UMPIRES – Nicholls, Rebeschini, Rodger, McGinness
CROWD – 59,555 at MCG.
VOTESDustin Martin (Richmond) 9
Shai Bolton (Richmond) 8
Nick Larkey (North Melbourne) 8
Tarryn Thomas (North Melbourne) 7
Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne) 6
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-give-riewoldt-cotchin-a-winning-send-off-as-dusty-winds-back-clock-20230819-p5dxti.html
