Valiant Tigers battle, but fall short of GiantsBy Josh Gabelich
AFL Media
14 July 2024RICHMOND 3.4 6.7 8.10 12.12 (84)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 4.3 9.4 14.5 17.6 (108)
GOALS
Richmond: Green 3, Mansell 2, Koschitzke 2, Bolton 2, Ryan, Rioli, Baker
Greater Western Sydney: Hogan 4, Greene 4, Ward 2, Thomas, Riccardi, McMullin, Jones, Cadman, Briggs, Bedford
INJURIES
Richmond: Taranto (concussion)
Greater Western Sydney: Coniglio (shoulder)
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: James Trezise (replaced Tyler Sonsie at three-quarter time)
Greater Western Sydney: James Peatling (replaced Stephen Coniglio at three-quarter time)
Crowd: 19,040 at the MCG
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GWS has recorded a strong 24-point win over Richmond to cement its spot in the top eight on Sunday.
The Tigers challenged the Giants at the MCG before falling to a 12.12 (84) to 17.6 (108) defeat.
Liam Baker gave Richmond the perfect start with a goal after just 75 seconds, before Greater Western Sydney started linking up between the arcs to punish the Tigers. Darcy Jones got it started, then Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene converted set shots. Alarm bells were ringing early.
Richmond responded. It hit the post twice and should have been closer, but when Rhyan Mansell made Finn Callaghan pay for a costly turnover exiting defensive 50, the Tigers got some reward, reaching the first break within a kick of the Giants.
Greene was in everything early in the second quarter. First, he handed back a mark after being penalised for a frustrating high fend-off. Then, the All-Australian skipper pinned Tim Taranto holding the ball, converting the shot for his second.
After a handful of wasted chances, Shai Bolton flaunted his class by pouncing on a front and centre ball, either side of bad misses by Jacob Koschitzke, keeping the Tigers within striking distance.
Despite having only two wins on the board and facing a first wooden spoon since 2007, Richmond showed up on Sunday. But so did Greene. Greater Western Sydney's captain hasn't reached the same heights of his career year in 2023, but he was the difference in the first half, adding a brilliant goal assist to Ward to a strong first half.
Adem Yze's side didn't drop off after half-time. Koschitzke kicked the opening goal of the second half, but then the class of Greene was on show again with a coast-to-coast goal. When Hogan wove through traffic moments later, after collecting the ball off his laces, the margin was 20 points and the Giants had a buffer. Every time the Tigers countered, Greater Western Sydney responded. Again, it was Greene with a moment of brilliance that gave Toby Bedford the chance to burst through and kick a goal.
Richmond didn't drop its bundle late, even when Tim Taranto was forced off the ground with concussion after a Bedford tackle. But it could never get close enough to trouble GWS, remaining on the bottom of the ladder.
Young small forward Steely Green gave Tigers fans something to cheer about with three goals.
Hogan made the most of his chances to convert four goals and move within four goals of Carlton superstar Charlie Curnow in the Coleman Medal race.
Tom Green amassed plenty of leather, as he has all season, finishing with 37 disposals and seven tackles, while Lachie Whitfield cut Richmond apart from half-back, accumulating 35 touches, including 21 kicks.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1601612/valiant-tigers-battle-but-fall-short-of-giants
