Media articles and Stats: Tigers roar home against Freo

[one-eyed]

Tigers roar home
By Jason Phelan
6:57 PM Sat 07 May, 2011


Richmond   3.2   9.7    17.7    23.10 (148)
Fremantle   2.8   9.9   13.11   14.15 (99)

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Cotchin 4, Nahas 4, Vickery 3, King 2, Houli 2,  Deledio, Graham, Miller, Martin
Fremantle: Bradley 4, Ballantyne 2, Mayne 2, Pavlich, Hill, Lower, Ibbotson, McPhee, Pitt

BEST
Richmond: Cotchin, Deledio, Nahas, Edwards, Houli, Riewoldt, Batchelor
Fremantle: Sandilands, Pavlich, Mundy, Fyfe, Bradley, Pearce

Injuries
Fremantle: Ballantyne (hamstring)

Substitutes
Richmond: Matthew White replaced by Ben Nason at three-quarter time
Fremantle: Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring) replaced by Roberton at three-quarter time

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stewart, Chamberlain, Kamolins

Crowd: 34,090

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RICHMOND has launched a stirring late blitz to record its third win in succession, defeating Fremantle by 49 points in a pulsating encounter at the MCG on Saturday evening.

Both teams had legitimate claims on the premiership points in a see-sawing first half, but a gutsy third quarter rally by the Tigers that saw them kick the last three goals of the term proved pivotal in the 23.10 (148) to 14.15 (99) win.

Trent Cotchin was sensational, bid on his match worn guernsey now!

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick declared this a yardstick match earlier in the week as he attempted to accurately assess his side's progress this season. He will know at least this much after that performance: his team has heart.

The young Tigers traded blows with their highly-credentialed opponents during the third quarter and where their belief may have wavered in the face of such constant pressure in the past, they took their game to another level this time around.
 
The loss continues a disappointing run of outs at the MCG for Mark Harvey's men who haven't won at the venue in their last eight visits.

Freo had the best of the early play, but let itself down with some poor kicking around the ground and in front of goal where it registered a wasteful 2.8.

With full-forward Jack Riewoldt unable to register a kick and young playmaker Dustin Martin well held by Matthew de Boer, Richmond did well to draw level at the first break with Robin Nahas a key contributor.

The Tigers gained the ascendancy in general play for long periods of the second term as Trent Cotchin and Shane Edwards warmed to the task but, as Richmond did in the first, Fremantle was able to muster an answering goal against the run of play to stay within striking distance.

Freo held a three-point lead 10 minutes into the third quarter, but it would be the last time they would have their noses in front. The irresistible Tigers built on the confidence gained from the three-goal burst to finish the term, two from the boot of Tyrone Vickery.

Cotchin booted the first two goals of the final term and the floodgates opened for Richmond. A contest that looked destined to be decided on the last kick of the evening for almost three quarters became a rout as Fremantle proved powerless to halt the Tigers' celebrations.

The loss continues a disappointing run of outs at the MCG for Harvey's men who haven't won at the venue in their last eight visits.

Influential players
Robin Nahas and Trent Cotchin were the chief architects of the win. Nahas was good early when his team struggled and kept his work rate up all night to finish with 30 possessions and four goals. Cotchin also kicked four goals and amassed 25 disposals.

Sandilands (23 possessions and 43 hit-outs), Pavlich (33 disposals) and Mundy (28) were the best of Fremantle's players, but special mention must go to de Boer who kept Martin to 11 possessions and limited his ability to set up scoring opportunities. 

What it means
It means Richmond might sit inside the top eight at the conclusion of round seven. West Coast and Melbourne might stop this happening, but even if they do, the confidence that this win will bring is something Hardwick can build on.

It also means questions must be asked about the validity of Fremantle's top-four credentials. Harvey said too much had been left to too few after the game and that was painfully evident to Freo supporters as Sandilands, Mundy and Pavlich tried in vain to exhort one last charge from their younger teammates in the last quarter. 

The next four
Richmond: Western Bulldogs (Etihad), Essendon (MCG), Port Adelaide (TIO), Bye.
Fremantle: West Coast (Patersons), Port Adelaide (AAMI), St Kilda (Patersons), Hawthorn (MCG).

Dream Team highlight
Richmond: Robin Nahas ($282,300) and Trent Cotchin ($335,400) were the Dream Team stars for the Tigers with scores of 136 and 109 respectively. First-year player Reece Conca ($214,300) impressed with a handy total of 83.

Fremantle: Aaron Sandilands ($392,400) dominated the hit-outs with 43 which helped him amass 129 Dream Team points. Matthew Pavlich ($382,300) and David Mundy ($421,100) also broke the century mark with 110 and 108 respectively.

What the coaches said
Damien Hardwick: "The great thing from our point of view is we beat a top four side which we haven't been able to do since my time here so it's a great win for us."

Turning point
As soon as Sandilands put his giant knee right into the chest of Angus Graham at the opening bounce you just knew it was going to be a long night for him and teammate Tyrone Vickery. Sandilands certainly enjoyed the better of the ruck contest throughout, but at least the Tiger tandem was able to extract a small measure of revenge. Graham was able to get free to mark inside forward 50 late in the third quarter and kicked truly and when Vickery did the same soon after the Tigers had their tails up and would not be denied in the final term.

Magic moment
Stephen Hill provided one of the highlights of the match when he slotted a running check-side goal off his left foot while pressed deep in a forward pocket early in the second quarter.   

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/113283/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Richmond powers to an all conquering win over Fremantle at the MCG

    Jay Clark
    From: Sunday Herald Sun
    May 08, 2011

FOR the first time under coach Damien Hardwick, Richmond is starting to look like a finals side.

The Tigers aren't only stirring, as the membership slogan says, they came of age on the MCG.

Richmond's 49-point win over Fremantle was not only its third victory in a row, it was the club's biggest scalp this season and its biggest statement under Hardwick.

The coach, who took charge of a side in 2009 that wasn't fancied to win a game at all last season, deserves much credit for the Tigers' development. And for the win.

While other clubs copy Collingwood with a game plan around the boundary line, the Tigers took a punt up the guts yesterday.

The Tigers attacked with quick play through the corridor that repeatedly cut through the Dockers' lauded defensive zone.

The switchblade attack up the centre was so effective Fremantle ditched its zone set-up for the final quarter.

But it mattered little as the home side booted six goals to one in the final term for a watershed win over a genuine top four side.

A year ago, Richmond's kicking was incapable of carrying out such a daring tactic.

But the draft mantra to recruit only kids who are sound by foot is starting to reap benefits.

Subsequently, they sliced and diced the Dockers up the middle and played on at all costs. But the coach is not the only hero.

While Aaron Sandilands was the most dominant player on the day, with 43 hitouts and 23 touches, Tiger pair Robin Nahas and Trent Cotchin were millimetres behind the Fremantle giant.

Each of the duo booted four goals.

Livewire Nahas is showing he is a midfielder capable of turning games with his speed and creativity. Fremantle could not catch him.

But Cotchin is one of the main faces of the revival and this was one of his best games for Richmond, registering 25 touches and seven clearances.

Two of his majors early in the last quarter not only showcased his skill and smarts, it sealed the victory, bringing the MCG to a thunderous roar.

Dustin Martin was barely sighted in the first half and was kept to 11 possessions for the game by Matt De Boer.
 

Jack Riewoldt booted four but, perhaps more significantly, Ty Vickery showed clear improvement as a deep forward.

He provided a constant contest in the air, which enabled Jake King and Nahas to create havoc at ground level.
 

Luke McPharlin had the better of Riewoldt early, meaning it was up to the smalls to pour on the scoreboard pressure  and they did, with two each to the main break.

Vickery kicked three goals including a clutch set shot on the stroke of three-quarter time that finally broke open a close and entertaining contest.

The 20-point buffer at the final change was the biggest lead of the game to that point. Fremantle threatened to steal the momentum when Kepler Bradley kicked his fourth goal in the third term.

For Richmond, there was much discipline in the back half, too. A Luke McGuane smother on Clancee Pearce early in the last quarter was symbolic of the desperation.

Dylan Grimes continues to show poise and strength as a stopper. His mate, Alex Rance, a high draft pick who has progressed at a slower rate, played his part halting a Fremantle attack in the third term, despite being outnumbered two to one.

King's tackling intensity was once again a feature in attack. He is having a brilliant year.

For Fremantle, this was its eighth straight loss on the MCG. David Mundy and Matthew Pavlich were tireless and classy in launching Fremantle forward from the midfield. But when Hayden Ballantyne hurt his hamstring in the third term it removed the venom.

The Dockers botched their chance at a flying start, kicking 2.8 in the first term.

Chris Mayne missed two of their easier shots from about 30m and 40m.

 

SCOREBOARD

RICHMOND 3.2 9.7 17.7 23.10 (148)
FREMANTLE 2.8 9.9 13.11 14.15 (99)

Goals: Richmond: J Riewoldt 4 R Nahas 4 T Cotchin 4 T Vickery 3 B Houli 2 J King 2 A Graham B Deledio B Miller D Martin. Fremantle: K Bradley 4 C Mayne 2 H Ballantyne 2 A McPhee G Ibbotson J Pitt M Pavlich N Lower S Hill.

Best: Richmond: T Cotchin R Nahas B Deledio S Edwards B Houli R Conca J Batchelor. Fremantle: A Sandilands M Pavlich D Mundy M De Boer K Bradley N Fyfe.

Injuries: Richmond: M White (shoulder). Fremantle: H Ballantyne (knee soreness) K Bradley (bruised shin) N Fyfe (shoulder).
Reports: Nil.

Umpires: Shane Stewart, Chris Kamolins, Ray Chamberlain.
Official Crowd: 34,090 at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-v-dockers/story-e6frf9jf-1226051598947

[one-eyed]

The small Tigers tower
Chloe Saltau
May 8, 2011

THIS was a win for the little guy. There is no one at Richmond who can leap tall buildings the way Aaron Sandilands can, but there are plenty who can create and fight and more still who, when given a whiff of victory, will not be put off the scent.

Among the best players in Richmond's 49-point win over Fremantle at the MCG yesterday was Robin Nahas, who began with a clever goal kicked off the outside of his boot. Once, early on, he was wrapped up in a tackle by Sandilands, a man 35 centimetres taller and 52 kilograms heavier than him. But Nahas was unfazed; he laid four tackles of his own and finished with four goals.

He had some assistance from Shane Edwards, another slender footballer with fast hands and feet and a creative brain.

Then there was Jake King, imposing himself on the contest in his argumentative way. None of his four goals rivalled the one he kicked with a clip over the head and his shorts pulled down a week earlier, but there was still drama. Late in the second term he dropped a mark, picked up the ball, pumped it inside 50 and sprinted towards the marking contest. Once there, he accepted a handball, dodged a tackler and snapped the goal.

''The thing they do well is they compete and win one-on-one contests,'' Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said of his small players, who have been instrumental in the club's three consecutive wins. ''Then, when the game does open up those guys are very, very quick, they really get on their bike. We've been very happy with their seasons thus far.''

While the Dockers patrolled the skies the Tigers stalked at ground level. For a while, though, it wasn't enough. The young Tigers struggled to punch holes in Fremantle's defensive zone and Dustin Martin, the young enforcer, struggled to work his way into the game. At quarter-time Martin hadn't touched the ball and Jack Riewoldt hadn't had a kick. In the second term, the giant task facing Richmond was exemplified when Kepler Bradley roved a goal-square tap from Sandilands and snapped a remarkable goal, one of four for the lumbering big man.

The Dockers, though, wasted six shots in the first quarter and when the Tigers did find their way through the zone, they made the most of it. Bachar Houli, playing with freedom at his new club, streamed through the middle of the ground, took a bounce and kicked a goal from 50 metres. While Tyson Vickery and Angus Graham couldn't compete with Sandilands in the air, Vickery in particular caused the Dockers' defence some headaches as a marking forward.

The Dockers led by two points at half-time but by three-quarter-time Richmond had gained control. The polish that was lacking in the first half returned, and was typified best by Trent Cotchin, who battled Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich in an intriguing contest between a young star and an established one.

They were their teams' best players but in Hardwick's mind Cotchin was the winner. He cleared the ball seven times and used it well, and when the game was tight early in the second half kicked a measured, running goal. He kicked the first two goals of the final term, and showed great maturity when he read the ball off Riewoldt's hands, held onto it for just long enough to throw his opponent and snapped it through. Nahas, too slippery to the end, helped put the Dockers away.

''If you had said Trent Cotchin will kick four goals and be a barometer for this side I will take that every day of the week. Matthew Pavlich is an outstanding player, as Trent Cotchin is going to be, so for a head-to-head battle it was one we thoroughly enjoyed,'' Hardwick said.


BEST -
Richmond: Cotchin, Nahas, Deledio, Edwards, Houli, Conca, Batchelor.
Fremantle: Sandilands, Pavlich, Mundy, De Boer, Bradley, Fyfe.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-small-tigers-tower-20110507-1edkf.html#ixzz1LgfReQFZ

[one-eyed]

Team Stats

Disposals        381 - 299
Efficiency%      81 - 63
Kicks              212 - 167   
Handballs       169 - 132
Con. Marks       11 - 18    
Uncon. Marks    91 - 40    
Tackles             57 - 48    
Clearances        35 - 42   
Clangers           40 - 37    
Frees                21 - 24    
Hitouts             17 - 46 ...... (Graham 12, Vickery 4 // Sandilands 43)
Con. Possies    127 - 159    
Uncon.Possies  253 - 143    
Inside 50s         54 - 54
Assists              26 - 16


Individual Stats

R.Nahas        30    16    14    4    0    125      87    0    7    4    1    4    2    1      8    23    3    0      80%
T.Cotchin      25    17      8    4    0    130    103    0    5    2    7    4    1    2    11    14    5    2      80%
R.Conca        24    12    12    0    0      83      63    0    4    3    3    2    2    1      7    17    2    0      75%
S.Edwards     24      8    16    0    0    112      65    1    2    2    0    2    0    1      9    14    3    4      75%
J.Batchelor    23    17      6    0    1      98      57    1    1    3    2    0    1    0      6    17    3    1      70%
B.Deledio      23    10    13    1    2    117    109    2    2    2    1    3    1    1      9    13    5    0      78%
B.Houli          23    13    10    2    1      98      78    1    4    1    2    1    1    0      6    18    7    1      70%
A.Rance         21    12      9    0    0      94      84    0    9    3    0    2    1    1      5    16    0    0      90%
N.Foley          20      8    12    0    0      73      85    0    3    2    2    1    1    1      7    13    2    1      85%
S.Grigg          20    10    10    0    1      69      82    0    7    0    0    0    0    0      2    18    4    1      90%
C.Newman     18    18      0    0    1    100    102    0    5    5    0    2    2    2      5    11    3    1      89%
D.Jackson      17      9      8    0    0      81      97    0    4    6    6    2    1    1      6    11    2    0      82%
D.Grimes       16      7      9    0    0      83      59    1    4    1    1    2    1    2      7      8    0    0    100%
L.McGuane     15      4    11    0    0      65      56    1    5    3    1    1    0    1      5    10    0    0      80%
J.King            14      7      7    2    1      88      68    0    4    5    1    2    0    2      7      7    3    2      79%
A.Graham      13      8      5    1    0    112      83    0    6    8    2    3    3    3      5      9    3    1    100%
D.Martin        11      8      3    1    0      65    105    0    3    4    3    2    1    0      3      8    3    0      82%
J.Riewoldt      11      7      4    4    0      94      84    0    4    2    0    1    2    1      5      6    0    3      91%
T.Vickery       11      6      5    3    1      61      56    1    4    0    2    3    1    2      5      6    1    0      64%
M.White          9      7      2    0    0      55      57    1    3    0    1    2    0    2      5      5    3    1      78%
B.Miller           8      4      4    1    1      49      56    2    4    1    0    1    0    0      2      6    0    0      50%
B.Nason          5      4      1    0    0      12      37    0    1    0    0    0    0    0      2      3    2    0      80%

http://superstats.heraldsun.com.au/ss2/main/10310704.html

[Infamy]

Disposals        381 - 299
Efficiency%      81 - 63

309 effective disposals to 188, that's 64% more
Who would have thunk it?

[TigerTimeII]

S.Edwards     24      8    16    0    0    112      65    1    2    2    0    2    0    1      9    14    3    4      75%


plus a hand in 14 goals as did cotchin
well done titch