Media articles & stats: Tigers cruise away from Crows to lock up double chance

[one-eyed]

Tigers cruise away from Crows to lock up double chance

Richmond seals a top-four spot after seeing off an improved Adelaide's challenge

Marc McGowan
afl.com.au
19 September 2020 8pm

ADELAIDE       2.2       2.4       3.5       4.9 (33)
RICHMOND     3.0       5.0       9.5       12.5 (77)

GOALS
Adelaide: Fogarty 2, McAdam, Walker
Richmond: Aarts 2, Caddy 2, Riewoldt 2, Martin, McIntosh, Chol, Rioli, Lambert, Castagna

BEST
Adelaide: O'Brien, B.Crouch, M.Crouch, Lynch, Laird, Smith
Richmond: Edwards, Martin, Short, Graham, Lambert, Vlastuin

INJURIES
Adelaide: Brown (hamstring)
Richmond: Caddy (knee), Aarts (shoulder)

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RICHMOND will have a double chance for its premiership defence.

The Tigers needed only to beat suddenly in-form bottom side Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday evening to secure a top-four berth for the fourth season in a row.

Damien Hardwick's men didn't always have it their own way – and benefited early from accurate goalkicking from not-always-easy shots – but were never threatened on their way to a 44-point victory.

The Crows' defeat consigned them to the first wooden spoon in their history, although with the silver lining of this year's No.1 draft pick.

Richmond set up the 12.5 (77) to 4.9 (33) triumph with five consecutive goals overlapping the second and third quarters that finally broke Adelaide and rewarded the Tigers for their territory dominance.

The Crows managed only two goals after quarter-time to Richmond's nine, following a competitive opening.

As important as the Tigers clinching third spot was the further re-introduction of key members after long stints out of the side.

Premiership players Shane Edwards (personal) and David Astbury (knee) hadn't been in this side since rounds five and four, respectively, but both made successful returns on Saturday.

Edwards was particularly sharp and one of the best players afield, amassing an equal-game-high eight clearances and 12 contested possessions.

They still have Tom Lynch (hamstring), Shai Bolton (corked calf) and Dion Prestia (ankle) to potentially return for their first final in a fortnight's time, so positions will be tight.

What was impressive again for Richmond was its even spread of contributors, with Dustin Martin offsetting his 12 turnovers with 28 disposals, 16 contested possessions and six score involvements.

Jayden Short was at his penetrating best in defence, Jack Graham's form resurgence continued and Kane Lambert performed better as the night went on.

Bullocking ruckman Reilly O'Brien served Adelaide well and took the honours in his match-up with Toby Nankervis, while the Crouch brothers – particularly Brad (eight clearances) – toiled away in the centre.

Tigers on Caddy watch

Spots will be at a premium at Richmond in a fortnight's time for the club's qualifying final against Brisbane or Port Adelaide. Shane Edwards and David Astbury made their long-awaited returns against Adelaide, but none of Shai Bolton, Tom Lynch or Dion Prestia played. Prestia is pushing to be ready for the finals, while Lynch and Bolton should both be fit. Josh Caddy also came in for Saturday's match for his first appearance since round 11, but a knee injury in an innocuous second term incident couldn't have been worse timing for him. Caddy, who goaled from a magnificent 50m-plus strike in the opening quarter, managed to return early in the third term and will be desperate to keep his spot. He shook off Andrew McPherson to slot his second goal from point-blank range not long after being back on the field.

The Texan climbs to the top

It's been a hectic season for former Adelaide captain Taylor Walker. His form copped increased scrutiny – even by his standards – throughout the year as the Crows lost their first 13 games. In the meantime, Walker played his 200th game and he achieved another milestone on Saturday. Returning from a leg injury that kept him out of last week's win over Carlton, the 30-year-old received a free kick in the first quarter and steered through his 441st career goal. Walker went past club great Tony Modra in the process to move into the outright lead for total goals in Adelaide history. Modra's tally came in 85 fewer games, but he was, of course, a stay-at-home full-forward in a vastly different era. Walker's been a mighty player for the Crows and one of the AFL's best forwards in his prime. He's contracted for next season, so his career is likely to extend for at least one more year. Walker's feat came on the same day Daniel Talia brought up match No.200 himself.

Tit for tat between rival stars

Tempers flared during the third quarter after Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin conceded a contact-below-the-knees free kick to Brad Crouch. A frustrated Cotchin then shoved Crouch while he was still on his back, prompting the Crow to swipe back at him with his left hand – fortunately without connecting. However, that didn't matter to Cotchin or his big teammate Toby Nankervis, who grabbed Crouch by the back of his jumper and rubbed his face into the dirt. The umpire paid a 50m penalty and fireworks broke out around them as both clubs took exception to what had just gone on.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/508374/tigers-cruise-away-from-crows-to-lock-up-double-chance

[one-eyed]

Tigers poised to strike after securing the double chance

By Steve Barrett
The Age
September 19, 2020 — 7.54pm

The plethora of own goals that Richmond have conceded this season would have buried a lesser outfit.

The Tigers have not only expertly absorbed the many bumps presented by a series of off-field scandals and distractions, they have thrived.

In this year of already unparalleled adversity, Richmond have defied more obstacles than anybody to cement the coveted double chance and, with it, premiership favouritism after clinically taking care of Adelaide, wooden spoon-bound but resurgent this month.

On Saturday the Crows provided brief resistance early - but couldn't maintain it.

Chasing their fourth win of the season - all in succession - Adelaide's thirst for the contest was evident in the first quarter.

Burly ruckman Reilly O'Brien threw his massive frame around fearlessly, shading Toby Nankervis at the taps, snaring some mighty pack grabs and generally ensuring Richmond players were listening out for those giant footsteps whenever they had the pill in their hands.

Rory Laird and the Crouch brothers, Matt and Brad, followed O'Brien's wholehearted lead and the Crows had their noses in front narrowly midway through the first term after goals to Shane McAdam and Taylor Walker, whose free kick conversion moved him past iconic full-forward Tony Modra to become Adelaide's all-time leading goal-scorer.

With recent victories over lowly Hawthorn, under-achieving Greater Western Sydney and inconsistent Carlton, dreams of a massive scalp floated fleetingly for Adelaide to cap 2020 on a huge high and build into 2021 buoyantly.

But Richmond had far too much class and cattle, which became more and more palpable the longer the match went.

After notching two of the first three goals, the Crows were held goalless in the second term, which was highlighted by Dustin Martin's checkside goal to the River End from the boundary.

Matched at the stoppages but clearly winning the territory battle due to their sharper skills, Richmond pressed home their advantage in the third stanza.

Mabiol Chol goaled after plucking a one-handed mark in front of 200-gamer Daniel Talia from a searing Jack Riewoldt entry and Daniel Rioli was rewarded for his forward pressure, converting a free kick after tackling Brad Crouch.

Darcy Fogarty's spectacular pack grab was the Crows' first goal since midway through the first and rare highlight for Adelaide, brought back to earth with a thud.

Josh Caddy appeared to sustain a leg injury in the second stanza but returned to the field in the third after receiving treatment and slotted his second major after out-bodying first-year Crows defender Andrew McPherson in a one-on-one.

Caddy's strike pushed the Tigers' buffer out to 36 points at three-quarter-time and the visitors were never remotely threatened thereafter.

Martin's contested mark at the death and deftly chipped assist to Riewoldt for the last goal provided the icing on the cake - with the anticipation of more to come next month.

PLEASING TIGER TROUBLES

Playing his first match since round five, veteran Shane Edwards slotted back into Richmond's line-up seamlessly, as did defensive general David Astbury who was solid in his first hit-out since round four.

With Tom Lynch (hamstring), Shai Bolton (corked calf) and Dion Prestia (ankle) all keen to prove their fitness and press their claims for selection for the qualifying final, the Tigers have some selection headaches ahead of them - all of them pleasant.

BEST:
Richmond - Martin, Lambert, Graham, Short, Riewoldt, Astbury.
Adelaide - O'Brien, Laird, M. Crouch, B. Crouch, Sholl, Fogarty.

VOTES
O'Brien - 8
Martin - 8
Laird - 7
Lambert - 7
Graham - 7

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-tigers-poised-to-strike-after-securing-the-double-chance-20200919-p55xas.html