Media articles and stats: Tigers pipped by fast finishing Blues

[one-eyed]

Tigers pipped by fast finishing Blues
By richmondfc.com.au
5:57pm AEST Saturday, August 17, 2013


RICHMOND     8.2    10.3    12.7    14.12 (96)
CARLTON       3.2     9.4     13.4    16.10 (106)

GOALS
Richmond: Vickery 3, Riewoldt 2, Ellis 2, Petterd, Vlastuin, Grigg, Jackson, McGuane, Maric, Rance
Carlton: McLean 3, Henderson 3, Casboult 3, Gibbs 2, Menzel 2, Robinson, Simpson, Tuohy
 
BEST
Richmond: Deledio, Jackson, Astbury, Conca, Foley
Carlton: McLean, Simpson, Jamison, Murphy, Robinson, Gibbs, Casboult

INJURIES
Richmond: Matt White replaced in selected side by Matt McDonough
Carlton: TBC

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Dylan Grimes replaced by Shane Tuck in the third quarter
Carlton: Josh Bootsma replaced by Nick Graham in the third quarter
 
Reports: Nil

Umpires: McBurney, Wenn, McInerney

Official crowd: 63,825 at the MCG

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Richmond surrendered a 30-point quarter-time lead on its way to a 10-point loss to Carlton at the MCG on Saturday.

The Tigers dominated the first quarter, before the Blues kicked 13 goals to six after the first change to keep their finals hopes alive.

Matt White was a late withdrawal before the match, allowing young forward Matt McDonough to make his debut.

He was one of Richmond’s bright starters in the match, along with Brandon Ellis, who kicked two first quarter goals.

But after seizing the initiative, the Tigers were slowly reeled in by the improving Blues.  Despite surrendering the lead early in the third quarter, the home side was in the contest until the final moments of the match.

Brett Deledio was one of Richmond’s best, amassing 29 disposals and seven tackles, while Daniel Jackson (23 possessions), Reece Conca (18) and Nathan Foley (18) toiled hard.

Ty Vickery looked lively up forward, kicking three goals and taking seven marks.

And Shane Tuck, who started as the sub, replaced Dylan Grimes in the third quarter and collected 16 disposals.

The Tigers face Greater Western Sydney next weekend, before taking on Essendon in the final home-and-away match of the season.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2013-08-17/tigers-pipped-by-fast-finishing-blues

[one-eyed]

Reality check for Tigers

   Jason Phelan
     The Age
    August 18, 2013

CARLTON    3.2    9.4   13.4   16.10 (106)
RICHMOND  8.2  10.3   12.7   14.12 (96)

GOALS
Carlton: McLean 3, Casboult 3, Henderson 3, Gibbs 2, Menzel 2, Simpson, Robinson, Tuohy.
Richmond: Vickery 3, Ellis 2, Riewoldt 2, Rance, Jackson, Maric, McGuane, Vlastuin, Petterd, Grigg.

BEST
Carlton: McLean, Walker, Murphy, Tuohy, Jamison, Simpson, Waite.
Richmond: Deledio, Jackson, Grigg, Conca, Maric, Foley, Rance.

INJURIES: Richmond: Riewoldt (knee), Petterd (hamstring).

UMPIRES: Wenn, McBurney, McInerney.
CROWD: 60,825 at the MCG.

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Saturday's clash at the MCG was supposed to be a celebration for the finals-bound Tigers and the last nail in the coffin for an under-performing Carlton's finals hopes, but the Blues confirmed there's life in their season yet with a stunning 10-point win.

There was a festival feel around the ground as expectant Tigers fans crowded in to watch Richmond's final home game of the year. But they left disappointed as the under-manned Blues came from behind to win 16.10 (106) to 14.12 (96).

A week of stinging criticism of Mick Malthouse's side looked set to end in further misery as Richmond leapt to a 30-point lead at quarter-time, but the Blues came storming back to record a win that has them knocking on the door of the top eight with two rounds left.

With Chris Judd, Matthew Kreuzer and Andrew Carrazzo out injured and the sting of last week's surrender to the Western Bulldogs still fresh, it was hard to see how Carlton could mount such a comeback.

That the Blues could is a testament to their mental strength, but it also served to expose Damien Hardwick's Tigers as a side not yet ready for the increased intensity of the finals campaign to come.

Skipper Trent Cotchin appeared troubled by a right knee injury, and was held to just 14 possessions by Ed Curnow. Dustin Martin will be having second thoughts about putting pen to paper on that contract after having next to no impact on the contest with his 10 disposals.

Jack Riewoldt, as he can do, started like a house on fire before being shut out by Michael Jamison.

Brock McLean has been a polarising figure since crossing from Melbourne, but he was a much-loved figure on the day with his three second-quarter goals crucial to the Blues' fightback.

But Hardwick will be left to ask ''how did it all go so wrong?''

From the moment Riewoldt put Richmond's first goal of the day into the top deck of the stand at the Punt Road end there was a sense of menace about the Tigers.

Riewoldt made the most of the inexperience of surprise opponent Josh Bootsma, who looked horribly out of his depth in just his 14th game pitted against the two-time Coleman medallist.

The Tigers spearhead was involved in his side's first four scores, handing off goals to Ty Vickery and Shaun Grigg before Blues coach Mick Malthouse spared his youngster further embarrassment by handing the task to Jamison.

But the damage had been done despite goals to Lachie Henderson and Troy Menzel, as the Tigers with their tails up, slammed through five of the last six goals of the quarter to hold a well-deserved 30-point lead at the first change.

In the timely reminder of the need to maintain focus, Carlton lifted its intensity and Richmond, with some players perhaps guilty of looking to enjoy a big win rather than clinically ram home their advantage, were caught napping.

Malthouse threw his side around during the first break, with Jarrad Waite becoming a factor once shifted from attack to defence, but the pivotal change was McLean's move forward where he booted three goals and finished with 27 touches.

Carlton trailed by five points at half-time and while the Tigers continued to fight, errors started to become more prevalent.

Levi Casboult, who finished with three goals, put the Blues in front with a goal after the three-quarter-time siren.

The Tigers endured a heart-in-mouth moment early in the final term when Riewoldt limped from the field after landing awkwardly on his right leg in a marking contest.

The sighs of relief were almost audible around the ground as the spearhead trotted back on minutes later, but that relief quickly turned to dismay as the Blues extended their lead.

To their credit, Hardwick's men fought the game out, Alex Rance slashed the deficit to nine points with just under three minutes left, but there's little doubt on the evidence of the last three quarters there is still much work to do at Punt Road.

BRING BACK THE BUMP

Those lamenting the passing of the bump would have been buoyed by Tom Bell's effort on Trent Cotchin just seconds before half-time. With Brock McLean assessing his options further afield, the Richmond captain moved to intercept before he was floored by a huge hip and shoulder from Bell. Both players came off worse for wear, however, and limped through the nearby interchange gates.

ROBBO TAKES ON JACKO

Mitch Robinson was left red-faced when an attempt to drop a shoulder into Daniel Jackson as the Tiger ran past in the third quarter resulted in the Blue clattering unceremoniously to the turf. Robinson compounded his embarrassment when, intent on exchanging verbal barbs with Jackson, he failed to come back on the mark, with the ensuing 50-metre penalty allowing Ty Vickery to goal.

PARTING SHOT

Outgoing Richmond president Gary March couldn't help himself at his final pre-game address when he had a bit of fun at the expense of Blues great Robert Walls. ''Hardwick mollycoddles the players and needs to focus on their defensive structures,'' March said, reading from an article penned by Walls earlier this year. ''At the moment we're in the top four in all defensive [measures] in the AFL and if mollycoddling the players gets you into the finals I'll take that any day.''

KEY STATISTICS

The Tigers recorded 32 fewer disposals and nine fewer tackles inside the forward 50 to the Blues. Their three tackles in that zone were an equal season-low.

Both sides made the most of set shot chances, Carlton booting 8.3 to Richmond's 7.2. - CHAMPION DATA

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/reality-check-for-tigers-20130817-2s3ko.html#ixzz2cEFm9Geg

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Carlton rallies to stun Richmond at the MCG

    Warwick Green
    From: Herald Sun
    August 17, 2013 4:48PM

ALL through the week their coach had urged them to show character and team leadership.

And in the end those were the qualities that got Carlton across the line in a gritty 10-point win over arch rival Richmond at the MCG.

The Blues looked like they were going to be in for a long day at the office when they put in a mediocre opening quarter and trailed by five goals at the first break.

But they dug deep and found a way to claw their way back into the contest, kicking 12 of the next 16 goals to record a crucial victory and keep their finals hopes alive.

Evidence of the blue-collar nature of the win could be found in the names at the vanguard of the Carlton revival.

After a quiet first term Brock McLean lifted his work rate enormously, leading the way with 12 disposals and three goals during the second term, while Mitch Robinson set the tone with his desperation and fierce attack on the ball.

Ed Curnow was enormous throughout, running with Richmond playmaker Trent Cotchin and limiting him to five disposals in the first half.

It should be noted, though, that Cotchin did not appear at full fitness, notably kicking poorly with his left foot at one stage when he was in the clear and streaming towards goal, with time to steady and use his right boot.

Cotchin's cause was also not helped when he was cleaned up just before half-time by a brutal but fair shepherd from Tom Bell.

With Jarrad Waite sent from the forward line to bolster the backline, it was initially Lachie Henderson who gave the Blues a target, continuously presenting on the lead at centre half forward.

But as the match progressed a less likely hero emerged, with Levi Casboult clunking contested marks in the goalsquare and eventually sealing the match when he soccered a goal from 25 metres with his left foot late in the final term.

During that second-quarter recovery Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Chris Yarran all ran through the lines, allowing the Blues to take numerous uncontested possessions in space. In contrast Richmond started to look static and its ball movement became a predictable kick to the next line.

Apart from Brett Deledio, Daniel Jackson and Shaun Grigg, there were few who looked prepared to stand in front of the oncoming truck during that second quarter.

As much as Carlton's victory was a tribute to its players' courage to bounce back from an early pounding, particularly in the absence of players like Chris Judd and Matthew Kreuzer, it was also a tribute to the courage of its coaching panel.

The Blues began the match taking the brave decision to send Josh Bootsma -- towelled up by Bulldogs forward Jarrad Grant last week -- to Jack Riewoldt in the first quarter. The move was a dismal failure.

When Riewoldt saw him coming, he was like a kelpie who had suddenly laid eyes on a tennis ball. His first act, before the opening bounce, was to fling Bootsma to the turf like a rag doll. He then proceeded to figuratively repeat the measure another three times in the first five minutes of the match.

Isolated deep in the forward line, Riewoldt had a goal within 90 seconds when Bootsma slipped over, allowing him to run to the goal line and launch the Sherrin into the top tier of the Southern Stand.

Twice more in quick succession Riewoldt found the ball on the lead, dishing off centring passes to set up goals to Ricky Petterd and Ty Vickery as the Tigers raced to a 18-0 lead.

At that stage it looked a matter of how far Richmond.

But coach Mick Malthouse had the courage to concede he had got it wrong, and promptly shifted his trusted lieutenant Michael Jamison to full back. Riewoldt's influence thereafter was minimal.

The move of Waite to the backline was another success, while Zac Tuohy did a fine job dulling the influence of the dangerous Dustin Martin.

For Richmond fans, the match was confirmation that there are two things you simply must know once you sign up for the Tiger Army: How to holler ''yellow and black'' during the theme song, and that life is never, ever, dull.

They saw the best of their team in that first quarter, the worst of it in the second term.

But there were some positives to be had.

While Brett Deledio was clearly the Tigers' best player, shrugging off defensive forward Gibbs to gather 29 useful disposals, the encouraging aspect was that after half time the the resistance came from many of the middle-tier players.

Nick Vlastuin, Reece Conca, Shaun Grigg and Bachar Houli all tried to lift the team in the third quarter, but simply did not get enough support from enough teammates.

The reality for Richmond is that need a solid output from a solid majority of their 22, otherwise their first finals campaign in 12 years will be shortlived.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/carlton-rallies-to-stun-richmond-at-the-mcg/story-fndv8t7m-1226698990955

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Richmond's inconsistency a worry leading up to finals

    Matt Windley
    Herald Sun
    August 17, 2013 6:41PM

YOU wonder if the fact Richmond has just three weeks until its first final in 12 years is as much a source of consternation among the club's coaching staff as it is excitement for its fans.

While the Tiger Army counts down the sleeps, Damien Hardwick and his assistants will be working feverishly to find the solution to their side's inconsistency.

It's not a week-to-week thing, which it has been in the past, but simply a quarter-by-quarter proposition.

The Tigers deserve to feature in September if their barnstorming first term was anything to go by.

But they risk being savaged in an elimination final if they dish up anything like they did after the first break against Carlton.

For just the third time in 211 meetings between these sides Richmond kicked eight goals in a first quarter.

Jack Riewoldt booted the first goal -- he didn't kick one in the two previous games against the Blues -- and had four score involvements in the Tigers' tally of 3.1 early on.

Brandon Ellis was dominant with seven disposals and two goals, the forward line was efficient -- eight goals from 13 inside 50s -- and the defence was stingy, conceding just three goals from 12 forward entries by the Blues.

Richmond led by 30 points and there was no indication about what was to come.

After quarter time the Blues outscored the Tigers 13.8 to 6.10.

Mick Malthouse's men not only stemmed the bleeding in the second term, they almost hit the front.

Richmond just stopped.

The Tiges had 86 second quarter possessions compared to 89 in the first, but the difference was the kick-to-handball ratio.

It was 54-35 in the first term, but that became 47-39 as they found themselves under increasing pressure and reverting to handballs in the second.

Ellis touched it just two times after being clamped down by Dennis Armfield, while Steve Morris and Ricky Petterd had just three possessions after influential opening quarters.

Captain Trent Cotchin had just five disposals to half time, his lowest first half tally since Round 13, 2009, and to rub salt in to the wound he was ironed out by Blues big man Tom Bell just before half time.

The game, as unlikely as it seemed early, was to become an arm wrestle after the main break, one that an undermanned Carlton ultimately had more of an appetite to win.

The loss is not fatal for Hardwick's men, but a reality check.

Coupled with last week's sloppy second half against the Brisbane Lions, the search will be on to find the magic formula for that much sought after four quarter performance.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/richmonds-inconsistency-a-worry-leading-up-to-finals/story-fnia6oop-1226699026210