Media articles and stats: Tigers outclassed by Crows

[one-eyed]

Tigers outclassed by Crows

richmondfc.com.au
30 April 2017

ADELAIDE       5.0   11.6    18.11   21.14 (140)
RICHMOND     6.3    7.3     8.3      10.4 (64)

GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 5, Lynch 3, Sloane 3, Cameron 2, Jenkins, Betts, Douglas, Jacobs, Smith, M Crouch, Otten, Milera
Richmond: Rioli 2, Riewoldt 2, Markov 2, Butler, Martin, Lambert, Houli

BEST
Adelaide: Sloane, M Crouch, Jacobs, Lynch, Walker, Laird
Richmond: Cotchin, Martin, Lambert, Nankervis

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Richmond: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Rosebury, Stephens, Hosking

Official crowd: 51,069 at Adelaide Oval

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Richmond's unbeaten start to the season has come to an end at the hands of Adelaide who ran out 76-point victors at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

The Tigers were feisty early, taking a nine-point lead into quarter time, but were monstered from that point on as the Crows' arsenal of stars proved far too good, winning 21.14 (140) to 10.4 (64).

Trent Cotchin was the Tigers' best in a tough day for the yellow and black, who face the prospect of the reigning premier Western Bulldogs next Saturday night.

Adelaide captain Taylor Walker stepped up in the top-of-the-table clash and booted five goals, while Tom Lynch played a strong supporting role with three.

Rory Sloane was best afield for the Crows with 33 possessions and three goals.

The Tigers mustered just one scoring shot - Jack Riewoldt's second goal - from quarter-time until Kane Lambert kicked a goal late in the third term.

Lambert battled gamely and gathered 24 disposals while skipper Cotchin (26 disposals) led the way in the midfield.

Teammate Dustin Martin's 24-possessions lacked his usual impact and Richmond's defence - which entered the game having conceded the least points in the league - leaked heavily against the Crows' attacking might.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2017-04-30/round-6-match-report

[one-eyed]

Five talking points: Adelaide v Richmond

afl.com.au
30 April 2017


1. Sloane takes the points in one-on-one duel with Dusty
The match-up of two of the competition's premier midfielders didn't disappoint. Sloane was at his brilliant best, winning plenty of ball in tight while also taking crucial contested marks and impacting the scoreboard. Martin was also damaging in general play and pushed up the ground as the team's deepest forward, rotating with Trent Cotchin. Both stars were allowed to run free and let the football world to take in the mouth-watering clash. Sloane got the upper hand to continue his outstanding start to the season.

2. Crows take upper hand with second-quarter surge
The Crows turned the game on its head with a stunning second quarter to put the Tigers on the back foot. The Crows had 12 scoring shots to one, 22 inside 50s to seven and had 19 more contested possessions to overturn a nine-point deficit into quarter-time into a 27-point advantage at the main break. It's a trend the Crows have had during their hot start to the season. In their six games this year, the Crows have booted 28.31 while conceding 13.4 in the second quarter. The Crows carried that momentum into the third term, booting seven goals to one to put the result beyond doubt.

3. Tex flexes his muscles to put Tigers to the sword
The Tigers took a gamble in putting All-Australian defender Alex Rance on Andy Otten rather than have him shutdown Crows skipper Taylor Walker. Walker took control of the game with a couple of crucial goals from outside 50 in the third quarter to put the result beyond doubt. Walker finished with five for the game to take his season tally to 18. But it wasn't just about Walker – the Crows had 12 individual goalkickers in a superb team effort.

4. Betts and Riewoldt go head-to-head for race to 500
Crows superstar Eddie Betts and Tigers spearhead Jack Riewoldt will have to wait until next week to join the 500-goal club. They entered the game with 498 and 497 goals respectively. Bachar Houli did a great job in containing Betts in the first half to restrict him to one goal, while Riewoldt had two to have them level, just one shy of the milestone. Tenacious small defender Steven Morris – in his first game back after a torn ACL in his right knee last year – also spent time on Betts. Riewoldt was barely sighted after half-time after two goals in the first half.

5. Where to now for Richmond?
Heading into this clash, the Tigers were the surprise packets with five straight wins. But with wins over Carlton, Collingwood, West Coast, Brisbane Lions and Melbourne the jury was always out on the Tigers. In their first test against a contender they were completely outclassed. We will know a lot more about where they sit in the pecking order in the coming weeks when they face the Western Bulldogs, Fremantle and Greater Western Sydney. It's certainly not panic stations for the Tigers, but they will be desperate for a better performance against the premier sides of the competition in the next month.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-30/five-talking-points-adelaide-v-richmond

[one-eyed]

Richmond thrashed by brilliant, creative Crows

    Ashley Porter
       The Age
       May 1, 2017

ADELAIDE       5.0   11.6    18.11   21.14 (140)
RICHMOND     6.3    7.3       8.3     10.4     (64)

GOALS –
Adelaide: Walker 5, Lynch 3, Sloane 3, Cameron 2, Otten, Betts, Jenkins, Milera, Douglas, Jacobs, Smith, M. Crouch.
Richmond: Rioli 2, Riewoldt 2, Markov 2, Houli, Butler, Martin, Lambert.

BEST –
Adelaide: Sloane, Laird, Jacobs, Smith, M. Crouch, J. Lever.
Richmond: Cotchin, Ellis, Martin, Lambert, Astbury, Rance.

UMPIRES: B. Rosebury, A. Stephens, B. Hosking.
CROWD: 51,069 at Adelaide Oval.

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Adelaide produced their most comprehensive and finest home-and-away victory against another top-ranked side in their 25 years in the AFL at Adelaide Oval last night.

They were awesome before their 51,069 home fans as they pole-axed Richmond, and as the Crows extended their best-ever start to an AFL season they showed they were without doubt the hottest side in the competition.

To be challenged vigorously by Richmond, who seemed to turn up to throw everything at them early, and to respond by wiping them off the scoreboard smells of premiership hunger. So far this season they are far more dominant – certainly ruthless - than ever, including their 1997-98 premiership years.

For Richmond to lead another unbeaten side by 11 points late in the first quarter and appear the dominant side, only to then have 14.11 kicked against them to 2.2 over the next two quarters, is rare.

It was one of the most frenetic first-terms the Crows had faced for some time, and were getting smashed in almost every area. Among the most damaging statistics was Richmond plus-13 in the contested possessions and plus-10 with inside-50s.

Yet they led by only eight points at quarter-time, and as Adelaide showed against GWS Giants and Port Adelaide, you've just got to seize every opportunity. The Crows have played some great football this season, but their response in the second quarter was some of the most aggressive, creative and brilliant as they have played in their 27 seasons in the AFL.

Down eight points at quarter time, the courageous Rory Sloane leaped into a pack to mark. Goal. Jack Riewoldt turned the ball over centre field, and Sam Jacobs marks over a smaller opponent. Goal. Another 10 minutes, and Taylor Walker kicks another two.

By this stage Richmond were rattling under the pressure, yet Riewoldt gave them hope with his 499th AFL goal.

Yet again, the Crows responded. Richmond's defence left Wayne Milera alone with the ball, unsure which player to pick. He selects Brodie Smith, who goes on to goal from 55 metres. Matt Crouch finished with a single goal in the 6.6 to 1.1 quarter. And so the rampage continued.

By three-quarter time Adelaide had 12 individual goalkickers – remarkable. And they were still hungry.

So, was the Richmond train derailed yet again, breaking the hearts of their fans? Perhaps just a temporary shunting. Their opening term was brilliant; the signs are still positive. And, of course, it's only one match.

The Tigers dared to take on the Crows at their game, and in the process they learned an important truth – that their best is good enough against the top teams in the league.

Coach Damien Hardwick was prepared to shuffle the deck chairs and it worked early. He started with Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin switching off the taller Kyle Hartigan, playing Jack Riewoldt as a more conventional centre half-forward. It forced Adelaide to keep two players behind the ball, and for most part this set-up caused the Crows grief, reflected by the fact Richmond led the inside-50 entries 18-8 in the first term.

Despite flashes of occasional skill from the Tigers, the Crows were to find something special mid-match to destroy their opponent's spirit.

Adelaide have repeatedly had a host of match goalkickers this season, and their forwards have been rightly lauded. It's an excitement machine; unpredictable and classy.

But while they spread fear among their 17 rivals, the importance of their resilient defence should never be under-estimated. In fact, their defensive action spreads across the ground.

No one epitomises the qualities of Adelaide better than Sloane and Rory Laird for their fearless approach on the ball, winning it at all costs and inspiring their teammates with good decision making and class. But was also the desperation and sheer ability under pressure of the other defenders in Brodie Smith, Jake Lever, Jake Kelly, Danial Talia and Kyle Hartigan that are so good.

VOTES
R. Sloane (Adel) 9
R. Laird (Adel) 9
S. Jacobs (Adel) 8
B. Smith (Adel) 8
M. Crouch (Adel) 8

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/richmond-thrashed-by-brilliant-creative-crows-20170430-gvvwpg.html