Media Articles and Stats: Tigers win thriller by four points

[one-eyed]

Tigers win thriller by three points
richmondfc.com.au
By Geoff Dodd
 6:01 PM Sat 21 June, 2008

RICHMOND       9.1  12.3  19.6  20.7 (127)
PORT ADELAIDE  6.2  11.6  14.8  19.9 (123)

Goals:
Richmond: C Hughes 6 M Morton 5 M Richardson 3 N Brown 2 J Riewoldt T Cotchin J McMahon C Hyde.
Port Adelaide: D Motlop 6 W Tredrea 2 B Ebert 2 T Logan 2 B Lade S Burgoyne D Rodan R Gray K Cornes T Chaplin T Boak.

Best:
Richmond: J Bowden C Hughes S Tuck N Foley C Newman M Morton J McMahon.
Port Adelaide: D Cassisi D Motlop D Rodan D Brogan W Tredrea.

Umpires: H Kennedy J Schmitt G Fila.

Official crowd: 20,923 at AAMI Stadium.



A DAZZLING display of all-out attacking football at AAMI Stadium has powered Richmond to an exciting four-point win and consigned Port Adelaide’s season to the dustbin.

Career-best performances by Cleve Hughes (six goals) and Mitch Morton (five) were instrumental in the 20.7 (127) to 19.9 (123) win, which keeps the Tigers finals hopes alive.

Shane Tuck (32 possessions) and Nathan Foley (30) were outstanding for Richmond, while best-on-ground Joel Bowden had a birthday both literally and figuratively with 39 touches and 23 marks (Bowden turns 30 today).

The Tigers led by 27 points five minutes into the last quarter, and withstood a last term onslaught from the Power, with Bowden – appropriately – taking a game-saving mark in the last minute.

Daniel Motlop kicked six goals for the Power, but it was a disappointing day for last year’s grand finalists in front of just 20,923 fans.

The Tigers started the game ahead of the Power on the ladder but massive underdogs, with both sides desperate for a win to keep their finals hopes alive.

The match started in fast and open fashion, the teams splitting 10 goals in an opening 22 minutes devoid of any defensive pressure; the highlights a couple of specials from Nathan Brown.

But the Tigers were just warming up. Four more goals before the break saw the visitors charge 17 points clear and record their highest ever opening quarter against the Power.

Two goals each to Brown, Morton and Hughes proved the Tigers had plenty of forward options, while Matthew Richardson, Chris Hyde and Trent Cotchin also chipped in from the midfield.

Altogether there were 15 goals and just 24 tackles for the quarter. Contrary to the pre-game talk of a tough, physical approach from Port it was instead a shootout.

The goals kept coming after the break, but this time it was the Power’s turn. Four unanswered goals in the opening 13 minutes, two of them to the mercurial Motlop, saw the home side back in front.

Richmond’s ship was steadied by a goal to Jack Riewoldt, set up by a terrific solo effort from Dean Polo along the boundary, and then the Tigers were put back in front by Jordan McMahon on the run, an effort which was quickly followed by Morton’s third, to see the Tigers back out by 11 points.

Motlop’s third for the quarter – his fourth for the game – kept the Power in touch, with just three points separating the teams at the long break, but it seemed Richmond had the momentum, and Port a strange lack of desire.

Two stats – a 23-goal first half and Bowden’s 19 touches and 13 marks across half-back, 12 of them uncontested – reflected the continued lack defensive pressure.

That trend, and the goalfest, continued after half time, the Tigers coming out firing with three goals in the first five minutes (Richo, Hughes and Morton). When Hughes booted his fourth a few minutes later Richmond had charged to a 29 point lead.

Slowly, though, Port started working back.

A goal to Shaun Burgoyne drew a reply by Morton – his fifth – but that was soon countered by Motlop – his fifth – and another to Robbie Gray, which had the Power back within 17 points.

For the first time the game had some pressure, becoming more like a contest than an exhibition and Richmond rose to the challenge.

With Bowden, Foley and Tuck working overtime (29 touches between the three of them for the quarter), Hughes bagged his fifth and sixth to take the Tigers back out to a 28-point lead at the last break.

The last quarter became a desperate affair. An early goal to Brett Ebert was followed by a reply from Richo, but the Power would not say die.

Goals to Tom Logan, a ripper to Travis Boak and then Motlop’s sixth drew Port back into the game, and when Logan kicked his second with just a minute to play it was just four points the difference.

Bowden saved the day with a strong mark to repel the Power's last forward thrust and the Tigers held on.

Richmond now hosts the resurgent Carlton next Saturday at the MCG, while the Power meet the Bulldogs in Darwin.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6301/Default.aspx?newsId=61926

[julzqld]

Shouldn't it be 4 points 

[one-eyed]

Team stats

Disposals:        392 - 306
Efficiency%:       81 - 75
Kicks:              240 - 153
Handballs:       152 - 153
Con. Marks:       13 - 7
Uncon. Marks:  144 - 55
Tackles:            48 - 47
Clearances:       27 - 39
Clangers:          41 - 34
Frees:               16 - 18
Con. Possies:   100 - 92
Uncon. Possies: 291 - 213
Inside 50s:        45 - 53
Assists:             21 - 19

Individual stats

player              D EFF% K H G B CM UM T CL C
 
Bowden           39 100 32  7 0 0 2 21 0 0 0
Tuck                32  75 17 15 0 0 0  6 4 5 2  
Foley               30  77 18 12 0 0 0  8 2 3 5  
McMahon         29  83 13 16 1 0 0  6 4 2 2  
Newman          25  92 19  6 0 0 1 11 0 0 0  
Polak               23  83 14  9 0 0 2 12 5 0 1  
Moore              22  95 19  3 0 0 1 16 1 0 0  
Hyde               20  85  5 15 1 0 0   5 3 1 1
Richardson      17  76 13  4 3 1 1   9 0 0 2  
Brown             15  73 11  4 2 1 1   4 2 2 4  
White              15  93  8  7 0 1 0   5 3 3 0  
Deledio            14  79  6  8 0 0 1   4 1 3 1  
Tambling          14  71 7  7 0 0 1   5 4 1 3  
Polo                 13  69  6  7 0 1 0   1 2 1 4  
Simmonds       13  69  8  5 0 0 0   6 2 1 2  
Morton             12  75  9  3 5 1 0   5 1 0 2  
Pattison           12  75  4  8 0 0 0   1 7 3 4  
Cotchin            11  64  6  5 1 0 0   3 3 0 2  
McGuane          10  90  6  4 0 0 1   4 1 0 0
Hughes              9  67  7  2 6 1 1   4 0 0 0  
Oakley-Nicholls   9  67  6  3 0 0 0   4 1 2 3  
Riewoldt             8  63  6  2 1 0 1   4 2 0 3  

player FF FA CP UP I50 A    

Bowden         1 0 5 32 2 2  
Tuck              0 0 9 21 6 3  
Foley             1 3 7 22 4 3  
McMahon       1 1 8 22 4 0  
Newman        1 0 4 21 0 0  
Polak             0 0 4 20 1 0  
Moore            1 0 2 20 0 0  
Hyde             3 1 4 16 2 0  
Richardson     0 1 3 14 2 2  
Brown            0 0 4 11 1 2  
White             1 0 7  9 5 3  
Deledio           1 1 9  6 2 2  
Tambling        0 1 3 11 3 0  
Polo                0 3 3 10 2 1  
Simmonds       0 1 3 10 2 0  
Morton            1 0 4   7 4 0  
Pattison          2 3 5   7 1 1  
Cotchin           0 0 2   9 2 0  
McGuane         1 0 5   5 0 0  
Hughes           1 0 4   5 0 0  
Oakley-Nicholls 1 1 3  7 0 0  
Riewoldt           0 2 2  6 2 2  

http://superstats.heraldsun.com.au/gamestatslive/5015501.html#

[one-eyed]

Tigers hang on to beat Port Adelaide
The Age
June 21, 2008 - 7:28PM

In mid-2007 Port Adelaide were a team on the rise up the AFL ladder, and on their way were able to crush Richmond at AAMI Stadium.

Twelve months later and it is the Tigers looking confidently towards the future after they destroyed Port Adelaide's defence and at the same time what was left of the Power's AFL season with an entertaining four-point victory at the same venue.

Spearheaded by goal poaching youngsters Cleve Hughes (six goals) and Mitch Morton (five), the Tigers slammed through nine in the first term and narrowly held their advantage in the last when Port made a belated charge, winning to 20.7 (127) to 19.9 (123).

"Our group is slowly growing, I said to the boys before we went out at the start of the day it's amazing what happens in 12 months," Tigers coach Terry Wallace said.

"We came over here 12 months ago playing in this identical game under enormous pressure, we'd lost the Geelong game by 20 goals the week before and played Port who were flying high at that stage.

"We were under all sorts of pressure, but 12 months later we come here and knew there'd been a fair bit of speculation on our opposition and knew we had a great opportunity to change things around in 12 months and I was pleased our boys did exactly that."

Aside from Hughes and Morton, Richmond had willing midfield servants in Shane Tuck, Chris Newman and Nathan Foley, while Joel Bowden and Jordan McMahon directed traffic across half back - Bowden also bobbing up for a vital mark to scotch Port's late lunge.

Wallace praised Bowden for his best game of a year punctuated by a few unfashionable trips back to the reserves.

"He was outstanding, certainly it was the best game Joel's played for the year, he's had some ups and down throughout the season, gone back to the VFL at times and handled that magnificently well," Wallace said.

Fellow veteran Matthew Richardson kicked three goals and again had an influence up the ground.

Port's season is now officially over, and the plaudits for their outstanding players, Domenic Cassisi in the middle and Daniel Motlop (six goals) up forward, were tempered by the looming question marks over a number of others.

Chad Cornes is one of several facing season-ending surgery, while Peter Burgoyne (hamstring) and Steven Salopek (Achilles) will be out for some time.

Ruckman Brendon Lade is clearly struggling for touch.

The pre-match talk of contested football and Port's desire in particular to continue in the hard-nosed, hard-headed fashion they had employed against Geelong, did not suggest a shootout was likely.

But in ideal conditions that is exactly what developed, as Port's alternating bursts of brilliance and ineptitude allowed Richmond to respond in kind with their own passages of free scoring.

Port kicked three of the first four goals but ultimately lost the first term badly, 9.1 to 6.2.

In the second they showed some desperation early to dissolve that deficit, before again going AWOL for five minutes late in the half to allow the Tigers three unanswered goals and a narrow lead at the main break.

The visitors carried on in that vein when the teams re-emerged, finding a dominant marking target not from Richardson but instead 21-year-old Hughes, a product of Lobethal in the Adelaide hills.

Playing in front and running out strongly, he fired through four goals for the term, and was instrumental as the Tigers sprinted to a 28-point advantage.

The afternoon was to have one final twist in the form of three unanswered goals to Port, but Richmond held nervously on.

http://news.theage.com.au/sport/tigers-hang-on-to-beat-port-adelaide-20080621-2ujs.html

[TFL]

Sounded like a great win, had my Nana's 80th and i kept ducking out listening to the radio.

I turned is back on just before Bowden took his match saving mark.

Go Tigers.

[Hellenic Tiger]

Sounded like a great win, had my Nana's 80th and i kept ducking out listening to the radio.

I turned is back on just before Bowden took his match saving mark.

Go Tigers.

Was a great win. Had to go out to a pre planned dinner engagement that I refused to leave for until the match was over. Have been on a high all night because of the win and it has been at the forefront in my mind. Needless to say the drink was flowing at dinner. Has set up the rest of my long weekend. Just like winning on a Friday night for me.

[one-eyed]

Cubs on song as Tigers stun Port
Ashley Porter, Adelaide | June 22, 2008

REPORTS that Richmond is dead this season are premature as it showed yesterday, producing one of its most stunning performances at AAMI Stadium to upset Port Adelaide by four points.

It was not without its drama as Port, ridiculed for squandering big leads this season, fought back from a 28-point three-quarter-time deficit, only to see its last-gasp shot swallowed by a terrific mark 20 metres out by Joel Bowden on his 30th birthday.

The veteran finished with a career-best 39 disposals and 23 marks, but the most amazing thing about this special day was that it took two kids who had been virtually hidden in the cupboard for years to spark this unlikely win.

Cleve Hughes, in his 13th game in his third year, and Mitch Morton, playing his 20th in four seasons, spearheaded a goal-fest, starting with a club-record nine goals in the first quarter.

Born days apart in 1987, Hughes, who was recruited from Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills via Norwood, kicked six goals and Morton, from Claremont and dumped by West Coast Eagles, kicked five. It is tempting to suggest "move over Richo", but this great win — just Richmond's sixth in 22 games here — was as much about Matthew Richardson as it was every other Tiger.

Like recent games, coach Terry Wallace used Richardson on a wing for most of the game, and the new-look forward structure stood up for itself and repaid him for the faith. When Richardson went forward, Port knew it couldn't focus mainly on him as in the past because the "kids" were also potent. Result? Richardson kicked Richmond's only goal in a desperately fought last quarter, taking his match tally to a valuable three.

The Tigers' impeccable team play, workrate, tenacity and especially their belief was perhaps the most inspiring their beleaguered faithful fans had witnessed for some time, and while a finals spot remains a dream, at least they have one, which is a lot better than the nightmare at Alberton.

Port's comeback merely disguised the fact that its skill level has declined significantly, and for the most part yesterday it played without passion. The grand finalist has now won only four games and lost nine, and its confidence is near an all-time low. Next weekend it ventures to Darwin to play the Western Bulldogs with injury and match-review panel concerns.

The Power raised the strained hopes of fans when it cut its three-quarter-time deficit, but ultimately it just made the anguish more unbearable.

Port didn't deserve to get close because of its high rate of skill errors and general poor decision-making.

However, to dwell on Port's demise, albeit a valiant late effort, would deny Richmond the praise it deserves for its revival. To recover from Port's impressive start, and to earn the ascendancy through perseverance, was another encouraging sign that there is further quality in that cupboard.

Port dominated the ruck work, was better at the centre clearances and went inside 50 more often, but it was way behind Richmond when it came to efficiency moving into attack. Richmond impressed with its discipline and close checking, and its ability to take a chance at the right time.

The Tigers may have gone too defensive early in the last quarter — Wallace later revealed the target was a minimum three goals and they kicked just one — but it wasn't as if they stopped running and contesting as Port mounted a quality challenge.

Richmond made errors, but unlike most matches in recent years, it was able to recover because teammates backed each other up, and simply got on with the game.

The match statistics revealed startling differences, with Richmond having 86 more disposals and taking 95 more marks — 157-62.

Earlier this year, when Hughes was struggling in the VFL, it was suggested in his home town of Lobethal that he would be better off coming home to play with his childhood club, also known as the Tigers. That day the Adelaide Hills side lost 29 goals-something to a miserable two behinds. On yesterday's effort, it will be a long time before the lad goes home.

BEST
Richmond: Bowden, Tuck, Hughes, Foley, McMahon, Morton.
Port Adelaide: Cassisi, Motlop, Brogan, Rodan, Boak, K Cornes.

INJURIES
Richmond: McGuane (hamstring).
Port Adelaide: P Burgoyne (hamstring), Salopek (Achilles strain).

THE UPSHOT
After going for his throat, coach Terry Wallace is finally convincing the fans there is light at the end of the tunnel. Port? Mark Williams is right — no hope this season.

TALKING POINT
Richmond's new young guns, Cleve Hughes (six goals) and Mitch Morton (five). It's no longer the "Saturday Richo Show".

HOT AND COLD
 Joel Bowden had a season-best performance — 39 disposals — while Port's Chad Cornes was hampered by injuries but battled on.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfmatchreport/cubs-on-song-as-tigers-stun-port/2008/06/21/1214009173051.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

[one-eyed]

Tigers hold on to beat hoodoo
Rod Nicholson | June 22, 2008 12:00am

INSPIRED by 11 goals from novice forwards Cleve Hughes and Mitch Morton, Richmond kept its finals hopes alive and buried a hoodoo and Port Adelaide's finals aspirations yesterday.

The four-point win unearthed multiple goal-scoring options - with the bonus of Matthew Richardson dominant on a wing - and gives coach Terry Wallace exciting talent to nurture.

This was last year's wooden spooners defeating last year's grand finalists on their own patch and proved a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for both clubs.

Playing only his 13th game, Hughes booted six goals and his long, accurate kicking revived memories of Fitzroy's Bernie Quinlan.

His four goals in the third term were crucial to the narrow win.

He had great support from Morton, playing only his 20th match, who kicked five goals. He, too, is an accurate kick and has height as well as agility to recommend him.

And Richardson contributed three goals to continue his season's outstanding form.

The win was only the Tigers' second against Port at AAMI Stadium in 12 outings and kept them in touch with the finals contenders.

Devastated at being overhauled by Carlton when it had a seemingly unassailable lead a fortnight ago, Port did not surrender.

It was 27 points down after five minutes of the final term, but booted the last four goals.

A timely mark with less than a minute to go in the last line of defence by best-afield Joel Bowden ensured the win. He finished with 39 disposals, which included 23 marks.

Port's only genuine avenue to goal was Daniel Motlop, who finished with six goals.

The Tigers dominated the inside 50s and were slick, playing a cunning and successful possession game.

They were headed only rarely after booting a record opening quarter score against Port, slamming on 9.1 to lead by 17 points.

Accuracy was a key. The Tigers went inside 50 only 13 times for the nine goals. Much of the drive came from Shane Tuck, who enjoyed 13 disposals in the opening term.

Port started in style, with Dean Brogan dominating the ruck clearances.

David Rodan, playing his third game against the club he represented 65 times between 2002 and 2006 before being delisted, quickly made an impact, roving to a Brogan tap to snap a goal after only 51 seconds of play.

The Tigers went forward only twice in the opening 10 minutes, but were rewarded by goals to Nathan Brown and Trent Cotchin.

They were indirect, using a lot of possessions without making progress, and they paid the penalty when, after a dozen possessions, they turned over the ball to Warren Tredrea to goal.

Port's Steven Salopek, outstanding last week with 32 disposals against Geelong, resumed in similar form and enjoyed eight disposals in the opening term.

But goals to Hughes, Brown and Morton gave the Tigers the lead after 20 minutes and a shoot-out followed.

The Tigers suddenly booted three goals in two minutes with snaps by Morton and Hughes and Richardson marking and playing on for his first.

Port snared the lead in the first nine minutes of the second quarter - defender Troy Chaplin running off Richardson to convert, followed by marks and goals to Motlop and Tredrea.

Motlop added his third to give Port the first four goals of the term, but against the flow of play, the Tigers responded with three goals in three minutes.

Jack Riewoldt snapped from the square, Jordan McMahon followed and Morton added his third.

Motlop added his third for the term, but the Tigers went into the major break with a three-point lead.

The Tigers set up victory with four goals in the opening nine minutes to scoot to a 29-point lead which Port could reduce by only one point at the final break.

Richmond was steady under pressure for the first half of the final term, but goals to Tom Logan, Travis Boak and Motlop gave Port a sniff of victory.

When Logan goaled at the 26-minute mark, only four points separated the teams, but the Tigers held on tenaciously.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23901550-19742,00.html

[one-eyed]

Only in Adelaide - the fans being blamed for the loss 

--------------------------------------
Stay-away fans 'cost Port vital win'
Renato Castello, Hannah Silverman
Adelaide Advertiser
June 22, 2008

FAIR-WEATHER Port fans who missed yesterday's thriller with Richmond may have been to blame for the Power's heartbreaking loss, AFL legend David Parkin said last night.

And angry fans hurting after the four-point loss also slammed the stayaway supporters.

Just 20,923 fans turned up yesterday, the club's fifth lowest home crowd since 2000. The Power's worst AAMI crowd is 18,193, in 2002 against Geelong.

The Power trailed throughout against the Tigers before nearly pulling off a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the final minutes.

Parkin, commentating on Fox Sports, was scathing of the fans who stayed away, suggesting a bigger crowd could have sparked a Power victory.

"The thousands of Port fans who failed to come today – I don't know whether that was the difference, it may have lifted them over the line," the former Carlton premiership coach said of the turnout, which was against a live telecast on Channel 10.

Retired Power great Josh Francou said the crowd was poor considering the importance of the clash to the Power's finals chances.

"It was very disappointing considering the context of the season for Port Adelaide," said Francou, also an Adelaidenow footy commentator. "It was very poor and whether it was the weather keeping people away I'm not sure."

He said the players deserved more support, but said a bigger crowd would not have necessarily changed the result. "If you need a crowd to get you over the line you've got a massive problem," he said.

"It's always great to get a full house but the reality is you're never going to get 50,000."

The lowest Power home crowd this season was the round 6 game against St Kilda, watched by 20,517 spectators.

Power chief executive John James conceded yesterday's crowd was not where the club "wanted to be at".

But he said Saturday afternoon was a traditionally difficult timeslot and the live TV coverage hurt attendances.

"We are very, very thankful for the 20,900 that did come along," he said.

"We have got a lot of challenges to get that number up. We are keen to see our supporters stay with the club for 2008 and we are going to aim to play some exciting footy."

After the match Power fan Richie Busuttil, 24, of Seaford, said too many fans deserted the club when it was not performing. "When you are winning everyone is down here, but when you are losing everyone parks it," he said.

"Having supporters out here makes all the difference."

Helen Wood, 57, of Tanunda, said a bigger crowd could have pushed her team over the line. "Obviously spectators add to the atmosphere and it was a bit flat today," she said.

Robert Seifert, 46, from Elizabeth North, said Power supporters needed to help the club rally.

"They are having a very poor year but I think if they are losing that should be more of an incentive to come out," he said.

Kelly Sincock, 26, of Pooraka, said fans needed to show loyalty even when the club was losing. "You should support them in good times and bad times," she said.

"Small crowds would impact on the players, especially the younger ones because they need a lot of encouragement, particularly at the end."

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23901956-5006301,00.html

[one-eyed]

http://blogs.abc.net.au/grandstand/2008/06/tigers-withstan.html?site=afl

Audio of Newy interviewed after the game plus a summary by ABC Grandstand.