VFL Tigers claim victory in Beaconsfieldrichmondfc.com.au
9 July 2017Richmond VFL 11.10-76 def Casey 7.6-48The VFL Tigers recorded their fourth consecutive win on Saturday, defeating Casey to the tune of 28 points at Beaconsfield’s Holm Park Recreation Reserve.
The VFL Tigers were good value in the opening half, establishing a commanding 40-point lead at the main break before adverse weather conditions stifled both teams as they attempted to hit the scoreboard.
Richmond VFL then held strong in a competitive third term, before a handful of late Casey goals managed to reduce the deficit in the shadows of the final siren.
Key defenders Jake Batchelor and Nathan Broad were in particularly fine form, combining for 47 disposals and 13 marks in a dominant display at the back, while Jacob Townsend was the pick of the midfield bunch, gathering 34 disposals while also amassing eleven clearances, eleven tackles and a goal.
Returning talls Todd Elton and Callum Moore contributed well with two goals apiece, while second-gamer Danko Bzenic led the way with three majors of his own.
Richmond VFL and development coach Craig McRae was impressed by his side’s ability to match the Demons in the middle of the ground and apply themselves to the contest.
“Over the last five weeks Casey have been number one in the competition for contested ball, clearances and tackles, so we knew we were in for a great contest” McRae said.
“I think we not only matched them in those areas, but for three-and-a-half quarters we actually led them in all those areas.
“I’m proud of the boys. It was a good performance.”
Returning to their home-away-from-home for the first time since their narrow loss to Werribee in Round 7, the VFL Tigers looked to establish the ascendancy early, but were plagued by inaccuracy.
Bzenic, Moore and Shai Bolton all came close with early efforts, however, none were able to register the first goal as Casey held firm.
It took until midway through the first term for the game’s first major, with Moore reaping the benefits of his own contest work, scooping up a loose ball and running into an open goal square.
It took until the first quarter siren for the next to fall, a calm Corey Ellis set-shot providing a steadier for the Tigers, who took a 16-point lead into the first break.
Having dominated inside-50s and looking impenetrable at the back thanks to Batchelor, Broad, Hugh Beasley and the returning Nick Vlastuin, all that was required was some straight kicking, and the VFL Tigers would be away.
And that was exactly what was provided in the form of the ever-confident Bzenic, who conjured a brilliant snap and some clever crumbing work to mirror the efforts of his two-goal debut last week.
Elton and Thomas Silvestro followed Bzenic’s lead, nailing their first goals for the day in quick succession, before Bolton had the crowd on their feet with a cheeky piece of hand-candy and a silky finish to follow.
With a 40-point lead secured at half-time, the heavens opened up over Beaconsfield, setting up the third quarter as an old-fashioned wet weather shootout.
A determined Casey slotted the first of the quarter and were making life difficult for the VFL Tiger’s clinical forward line, until Moore marked and goaded to stem the pressure.
The Demons managed to peg one more back before Moore turned provider for Todd Elton, who booted his second goal in his return from a shoulder injury, sustained in the VFL Tigers most recent trip to Beaconsfield.
Townsend was beginning to come into his own, gathering 26 disposals to three-quarter time, with his efforts greatly assisted by the ruck work of Ivan Soldo, his eventual 41 hitouts proving him a worthy adversary to Demons big man Jake Spencer.
While the final stanza saw the Demons edge closer, the day would ultimately belong to the VFL Tigers, who now improve their record to seven wins and five losses for the year.
Ellis came home with the wind in his sails, making his way to 24 disposals to accompany his first quarter goal, while Jack Graham (22 disposals) also kept busy.
With another four points in the bag, the VFL Tigers look to next week’s clash with Werribee, to be played at Frankston Oval on Saturday.
The match will commence at 2pm.
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2017-07-08/round-12-vfl-match-report
