Media articles & stats: Tigers turn off Power to zero in on top four

[one-eyed]

Tigers turn off Power to zero in on top four

Marc McGowan
afl.com.au
Jul 20, 2019 4:16PM

RICHMOND has maintained fifth spot on the ladder after a convincing 38-point win over Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers led by 30 points at three-quarter time and never looked seriously challenged, running out 15.11 (101) to 9.9 (63) winners.

It was their fourth straight win and they were well led by superstar Dustin Martin (30 disposals, one goal) as well as dynamic duo Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt, who bagged three goals each.

A Friday night blockbuster against the Magpies at the MCG now awaits the Tigers, while the Power will host the Giants at Adelaide Oval next Saturday night.

More to come

RICHMOND             5.4     8.5     12.7     15.11     (101)
PORT ADELAIDE     2.4     4.6      7.7        9.9       (63)

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Lynch 3, Prestia, Martin, Graham, Chol, Ellis, Castagna, Soldo, Edwards, Rioli
Port Adelaide: Butters 2, Amon 2, Dixon, Howard, Duursma, Sutcliffe

BEST
Richmond: Martin, Lynch, Grimes, Houli, Astbury, Prestia, Ellis
Port Adelaide: Amon, Boak, Broadbent, Dixon, Rockliff, Byrne-Jones

INJURIES
Richmond: TBC
Port Adelaide: TBC

Reports: Nil

Umpires: O'Gorman, Chamberlain, Findlay

Official crowd: 41,642 at the MCG

https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-07-20/match-report-richmond-v-port-adelaide

[one-eyed]

THE ONE-TWO punch that many pundits thought would deliver Richmond a second premiership in three seasons is gaining power.

Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt played just their fourth game together but easily their best as a combination on Saturday in propelling the Tigers to a 15.11 (101) to 9.9 (63) victory over Port Adelaide.

Richmond's now won four matches on the trot since starting round 15 outside the top eight, and only injured pair Alex Rance and Toby Nankervis are missing from its ideal 22.

The dramatic turnaround in fortunes, which has the Tigers back in the top-four mix, has coincided with the return of stars Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards, David Astbury, Kane Lambert and Jayden Short.

Last week's NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Shai Bolton came back in at the same time, and has now accumulated 77 possessions in the past three rounds, including 22 against the Power.

Richmond's off-season recruitment of Lynch helped ease the pain of its shock preliminary final thrashing to Collingwood after a dominant home and away campaign.

However, a posterior cruciate ligament setback has kept Riewoldt to four appearances in 2019, while the same injury meant Lynch's pre-season was hampered and his mobility initially limited.

The All Australian forwards operated wonderfully as a pairing on Saturday, alternating playing as the deeper option and the provider (not just for one another) – and each hit the scoreboard multiple times.

Lynch, who's taken more contested marks inside 50 than any other AFL player this year, moved unencumbered on his way to three goals, four behinds and 12 score involvements.

He was devastating early, racking up five of his 19 disposals (13 contested), two of his nine marks (four contested and five inside 50) and two scoring shots inside the first 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, Riewoldt slotted three first-half goals to help the Tigers establish a 23-point buffer at the main break, and his clever dinky kick set up Brandon Ellis' eventual goal in the third term.

The triple Coleman medallist's one-handed mark in the fourth quarter, which also helped created a major, also warrants a mention.

There will be bigger days for the duo ahead, but the signs were promising, as they were for Richmond as a whole.

This wasn't a perfect performance, and the Tigers had to absorb separate Port Adelaide challenges that cut what were comfortable leads to 11 points in the second term, then 16 in the third.

The problem for Ken Hinkley's under-pressure side was Richmond always found another gear whenever it was threatened.

As pleasing for Tigers coaches and fans were the aesthetics, beyond what Lynch and Riewoldt achieved.

Dylan Grimes and Astbury were largely impenetrable down back, Dustin Martin was outstanding in the centre and attack, and Richmond instinctively ran in waves after forcing countless turnovers.

Martin gathered 30 disposals (nine contested), won five clearances and drove the Sherrin inside 50 eight times to probably pick up three Brownlow Medal votes.

Karl Amon led the Power resistance, having nine possessions by quarter-time and remaining a prominent figure throughout to finish with 28 touches and two goals.

Travis Boak (29 disposals) fought hard all afternoon to continue his strong solo season, while aggressive forward Charlie Dixon looked ominous on occasion but kicked just one major.

Port Adelaide will end the round a game and percentage behind the eighth-placed Crows ahead of a fascinating run home against the Giants, Essendon, Sydney, North Melbourne and Fremantle.

MEDICAL ROOM

Richmond: The Tigers appeared to come through the match unscathed.

Port Adelaide: Dan Houston came off second-best in a final-term contest that left him grounded for some time. Dougal Howard left the field in the third quarter after copping a knee to his ribcage, but was able to return, while Sam Gray dealt with a corked thigh.

NEXT UP
Richmond will go after five wins in a row in front of what will surely be a monstrous MCG crowd on Friday night against Collingwood. Port Adelaide faces another crunch contest with Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-07-20/match-report-richmond-v-port-adelaide

[one-eyed]

‘History here in the making’ as Tigers maul Power

David Davutovic,
Sunday Herald Sun
20 July 2019

Richmond believes that ‘there’s history here in the making’, after a 38-point win over Port Adelaide left the Tigers bashing down the door of the top four.

In echoes of 2017, the Tigers are hitting ominous form as a collectively selfless performance led to a 15.11 (101) to 9.9 (63) win at the MCG.

The Tigers are 11-6 after 18 rounds, just like 2017 when a win over GSW Giants saw them climb to fourth.

Only percentage will keep the Tigers from climbing higher than fifth, but Collingwood, Brisbane, West Coast and ladder leaders Geelong are on notice — the Tigers have awoken.

The unselfish football that underlined their stunning 2017 success was again on show, highlighted by the brilliant third-quarter passage when Sydney Stack, Jack Riewoldt and Brandon Ellis combined to kick a crucial goal.

TWIN TOWERS

Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch have played little football together in attack this season, but they provided a glimpse into their potential, bagging six goals between them.

Riewoldt was at his intelligent best, kicking three goals and laying off several more, while poor kicking cost Lynch a better return than 3.2.

Lynch triggered arguably the loudest roar of the afternoon when he took advantage of a fortuitous bounce, shrugged a Tom Clurey tackle to snap the opening goal of the last term with his left.

His 40th goal of the season — equal with Tom Hawkins while only Jeremy Cameron and Ben Brown are ahead on the goalkicking table — snuffed Power’s comeback hopes, opening up a six-goal lead.

COACH KILLERS

Almost 10 years since he was pipped for the Tigers job by Damien Hardwick, Ken Hinkley — who joined Port in 2013 — was the latest to be cursed by the Richmond Kiss of Death.

The Tigers hammered one of the final nails in the coffin of St Kilda’s Alan Richardson, before their mauling of Gold Coast saw the blowtorch applied to the AFL expansion club.

With so much focus on Port’s after last week’s Brisbane debacle, the Power’s effort — particularly early — could not be faulted.

But they came up against a Richmond side hitting ominous form ahead of finals, who will usually trump a wild inconsistent side like Port Adelaide on home turf.


SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

While much has been made of Richmond’s returning stars in recent weeks, headlined by Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin, some new talents have emerged.

Ivan Soldo and Mabior Chol both chipped in with telling contributions and goals.

Chol continued his impressive record of kicking a goal in each of his five games, including a vital set-shot midway through the second term — enabling the Tigers to finally capitalise on their territorial advantage after having 31 Inside 50s to 21 at halftime.

Dylan Grimes, David Astbury and Nick Vlastuin performed well as they continue to step up in the absence of Alex Rance.

RAZOR VISION

Jack Graham’s goal just before the first break was timely, albeit aided by a contentious 50m penalty when Justin Westhoff was deemed to have wasted time by fisting the ball away as he tried to touch the ball before going out on the full.

Graham’s pinpoint set shot opened up a three-goal lead, just after Port Adelaide had steadied following the Tigers’ blistering start.

It was paid by umpire Ray Chamberlain, who was involved in several more contentious decisions, including an Xavier Duursma mark, which did not appear to travel 15m, but enabled Port to draw within 16 points midway through the third term.

Thereafter Richmond kicked away.

Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson leapt to Westhoff’s defence on Fox Footy.

“He had a case to say that he was going to be able to touch that,” Johnson said.

He wasn’t the only one confused. Essendon star Michael Hurley took to Twitter to try and get answers.

“Can someone please explain what rule Westhoff broke? How was that a 50m penalty?” Hurley wrote.

Footy fans were also left confused by the decision.

How is that a 50?

SCOREBOARD

RICHMOND 5.4 8.5 12.7 15.11 (101)

d

PORT ADELAIDE 2.4 4.6 7.7 9.9 (63)

GOALS

Tigers: Riewoldt 3, Lynch 3, Prestia, Martin, Graham, Chol, Ellis, Castagna, Soldo, Edwards, Rioli

Power: Butters 2, Amon 2, Dixon, Howard, Duursma, Sutcliffe

BEST

Tigers: Lynch, Grimes, Martin, Astbury, Houli, Prestia, Riewoldt.

Power: Amon, Boak, Rockliff, Byrne-Jones, Lycett, Dixon.

DAVID DAVUTOVIC’S VOTES

3 — Tom Lynch (Rich)

2 — Dylan Grimes (Rich)

1 — Dustin Martin (Rich)

INJURIES

Tigers: Nil

Power: Houston (head knock)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: O’Gorman, Chamberlain, Findlay

Official crowd: 41,642 at the MCG

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/justin-westhoff-left-fuming-after-copping-one-of-the-harshest-50m-penalties-of-the-season/news-story/ef96061fc4b62762e226a8d6089eaad5