Media articles & stats: Tigers' finals hopes still alive after stunning comeback

[one-eyed]

Tigers' finals hopes still alive after stunning comeback win

Richmond has staged a stirring comeback to defeat Hawthorn by one point

By Sarah Black
afl.com.au
22 July 2023

RICHMOND      3.2     6.6     9.9     14.12  (96)
HAWTHORN     4.2     10.3   15.3    15.5   (95)

GOALS
Richmond: Taranto 3, Baker 2, Martin 2, Graham, Hopper, Miller, Soldo, Bolton, Riewoldt, McIntosh
Hawthorn: Lewis 4, Wingard 3, Brockman 2, Breust 2, Worpel, Maginness, Newcombe, Moore

BEST
Richmond: Prestia, Taranto, Balta, Ross, Graham
Hawthorn: Newcombe, Sicily, Worpel, Amon, Lewis

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Matthew Coulthard (replaced Tylar Young in the third quarter)
Hawthorn: Ned Long (replaced Denver Grainger-Barras in the third quarter)

Crowd: 57,654 at the MCG

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AS THE song goes, Richmond never weakens until the final siren's gone, and a Liam Baker snap has capped off a six-goal turnaround to overhaul a desperate Hawthorn and win by one point.

The tenacious Tiger snapped truly to give his side the lead with 63 seconds remaining, the 14.12 (96) to 15.5 (95) victory keeping their finals hopes alive.

It's a crushing blow for the Hawks, who played an incredibly ferocious brand of footy for the first three quarters, but tired to concede the final six goals of the match stemming to just before the final break.

Hawthorn found plenty of space early through the middle of the ground, threatening with plenty of run off half-back. The forward-at-all-costs approach was capped off by a toe-poke goal from Finn Maginness, which took the fast start out to a 19-point lead.

Chad Wingard was somewhat out of favour a month ago, but recorded 10 disposals in the first quarter and finished with 17 and three goals for the game in a vintage performance across half-forward.

Ben Miller soared high from out of play to mark an off-target Dustin Martin shot, then converted a snap from the tightest of angles to tie up the scores at the start of the second quarter.

But it was a rare highlight for the home side for that term, as the Hawks piled on six straight goals with a scintillating burst, adding cleanliness to their usual grunt and endeavour around the footy.

The Tigers rarely had an answer to the Hawks' fast plays from the centre bounces, the midfielders in the sash struggling to clog up their defensive side of the stoppage.

Trent Cotchin had two horror rushed and missed shots at goal from point-blank range throughout the game, the first after a surprise handball from Miller and the second choosing to play on from 15m, clipping the post.

Mitch Lewis booted four goals in an engaging battle with Noah Balta, who took 14 marks and kept the Tigers alive as the Hawks piled on the pressure.

Ned Reeves will come under MRO scrutiny for a sling tackle on Ivan Soldo in the first quarter. The Hawks ruck was reported and gave away a free kick, but his Tigers counterpart did not leave the field.

A captain's performance
James Sicily set the tone from the opening bounce, his long sleeves soaring above the pack in defensive 50 time and time again, building a wall that the Tigers could not break. He was particularly crucial in a few late contests with Jack Riewoldt as the Tigers charged home, but ultimately to no avail. Conversely, it highlighted the enormous absence of Tom Lynch to play alongside a flagging Riewoldt, with Ben Miller not quite having the same physical presence in contested marking situations.

Next-gen midfield steal the show
Jai Newcombe, James Worpel and Conor Nash were up against a No.2 pick (Tim Taranto), No.7 pick (Jacob Hopper) and a No.9 pick (Dion Prestia), but well and truly outplayed their more decorated counterparts for three quarters. Newcombe in particular was superb, his creative handballs setting up his teammates on the outside, while Worpel was a strong body round the contest. The trio dropped off as the heat lifted in the final term, but it's a combination that'll dominate for years to come.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/983528/tigers-finals-hopes-still-alive-after-stunning-comeback-win

[TigerLand]

Yep absolutely thrashed in middle. I think Soldo got beaten I think it was at half time we had 1 hitout to advantage.

[one-eyed]

Tigers surge late to pip Hawks in spectacular comeback

The Age
July 23, 2023

Richmond have stormed home from 36 points down late in the third quarter to steal a miracle one-point win over Hawthorn after a Liam Baker goal in the dying stages.

The Tigers booted the final five goals of Saturday’s game at the MCG, keeping the Hawks goal-less in the fourth quarter in a vital result for their flickering finals chances.

Richmond led early in the second quarter but didn’t hit the front again until a minute remaining when Baker snapped his second goal to the huge roar of the Tigers faithful.

Hawthorn pushed forward from the next centre clearance but Richmond were able to thwart the Hawks’ attack to prevail 14.12 (96) to 15.5 (95).

After being poor for much of the afternoon, Richmond’s stars stepped up as Dustin Martin (two goals, 24 disposals) and Tim Taranto (three goals, 23 disposals) all played crucial roles in the final quarter charge.

Richmond were staring down the barrel of finishing the round as low as 14th had they lost, but the comeback left them eighth on the ladder.

The Tigers will likely need to win three of their remaining five matches to be guaranteed of playing finals, with tricky games against the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Port Adelaide following next week’s clash with Melbourne.

Sam Mitchell’s Hawks shocked the Tigers with a brave and bold style of play, blowing the match open with six straight goals in the second quarter.

It seemed to be Hawthorn’s day when Chad Wingard soccered the ball from near the boundary and it kept rolling through for an unlikely goal in the second quarter.

At the other end, triple Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin missed two shots from inside 15 metres directly in front.

In an added blow for Hawthorn after the heartbreaking defeat, they will potentially be without Ned Reeves for next week’s match against St Kilda after he was reported for a dangerous tackle (rough conduct) on opposing big man Ivan Soldo.

The incident appeared to be even more severe than some of the tackles that have led to players being suspended this year under the AFL’s crackdown.

Another concern for the Hawks was former No.6 draft pick Denver Grainger-Barras failing to pick up a possession in two-and-a-half quarters before he was tactically substituted out in the third term.

Grainger-Barras spent 11 weeks out of the team but was recalled two weeks ago for the clash with GWS.

RICHMOND
3.2 6.6 9.9 14.12 (96)
HAWTHORN
4.2 10.3 15.3 15.5 (95)

GOALS:
Richmond: Taranto 3, Baker 2, Martin 2, McIntosh, Graham, Hopper, Riewoldt, Miller, Soldo, Bolton.
Hawthorn: Lewis 4, Wingard 3, Breust 2, Brockman 2, Worpel, Moore, Newcombe, Maginness

BEST:
Richmond: Graham, Taranto, Rioli, Ross.
Hawthorn: Sicily, Lewis, Worpel, Wingard

UMPIRES: Heffernan, Mollison, Rodger, Young
CROWD: 57,654 at MCG

AAP

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-tigers-sneak-past-hawthorn-hawks-in-spectacular-afl-comeback-20230722-p5dqg6.html

[one-eyed]

Tigers unearth new hero in epic comeback

Ronny Lerner
HeraldSun
23 July 2023

Richmond have fought back from six goals down in the shadows of three-quarter time to steamroll Hawthorn by one point at the MCG to pull of a spectacular highway robbery.

When Mitch Lewis kicked his fourth goal to put the Hawks up by 36 points late in the third term, it looked like the Tigers’ top-eight hopes had gone up in smoke.

But after being largely outplayed in the opening three quarters, Richmond flicked the switch in devastating fashion and kicked the last six goals to overpower the Hawks 14.12 (96) to 15.5 (95), ensuring their charge towards the top eight remains on course.

The Tigers pulled off their equal-greatest comeback from three-quarter time after being down by 30 points at the final change.

Despite having all the momentum in the final term, two missed set shots from Jack Riewoldt, one from 20m out, looked as though they may have cost Richmond the win.

But a goal from Kamdyn McIntosh from the goalsquare with 2:01 to go got them back within five points and a magnificent crumbing snap from Liam Baker with 1:04 left proved to be the match winner.

After starting the year 3-7-1, the Tigers have now won six of their last seven games under interim coach Andrew McQualter to roar into finals contention.

Richmond’s pressure skyrocketed in the final quarter as they out-tackled the Hawks 21-12 to win the stat convincingly 72-52, while they also finished on top in disposals 378-359, contested possessions 142-128 and marks 115-89.

Tim Taranto produced another matchwinning performance that featured 23 disposals (11 contested), eight tackles and three goals, while Dustin Martin was also crucial in racking up 24 touches (10 contested), seven marks and two goals.

Mid-season draftee Matt Coulthard provided a much-needed spark on debut, coming on as the sub late in the third term.

The 22-year-old, plucked from Glenelg in the SANFL, had seven final-quarter disposals and played a key role in the late charge.

The loss could also come at a cost for the Hawks after their ruckman Ned Reeves was reported for sling-tackling Ivan Soldo in the first quarter, causing the Richmond big man’s head to slam into the ground.

And while Soldo was able to play out the game, Reeves looks set for a suspension.

Miller error turns tide
After trailing by 19 points early, Richmond’s pressure lifted, and they booted the next four majors to open up an eight-point buffer early in the second quarter. The Tigers should have had five goals on the trot, but instead of lining up for goal from point-blank range, Ben Miller was far too unselfish and handballed it to the top of the goalsquare to an under-pressure Trent Cotchin who missed to the left. That incident sparked a sensational momentum shift as the Hawks slammed on the next six majors to lead by 28 points late in the second term as their blistering speed, slick ball movement and forward efficiency swamped the Tigers.

Sicily gets rub of green
Nearing time on in the final quarter, with Richmond down by 11 points, James Sicily appeared to manhandle Jack Riewoldt to the ground before taking the intercept mark, but the umpire didn’t pay the free kick to Riewoldt. Moments later, it looked as though the Hawthorn captain dropped a contested mark against Riewoldt in the Hawks’ back pocket, but he was paid the mark. Then shortly after Sicily was paid a dubious push-in-the-back free kick against Riewoldt on the Tigers’ forward flank. Despite Sicily’s best efforts – 28 disposals (13 contested), 13 marks (six) and 15 intercept possessions – the Hawks fell short.

Tigers cough it up
Hawthorn headed into the game ranking 16th in the league for goals from turnovers, yet 10 of their first 14 majors were kicked from that method, by which time they had a 31-point lead into time on in the third quarter.

Hawks’ soccer skills
Midway through second term, Chad Wingard put the Hawks up by 22 points when he flicked a boot at the loose ball off the ground in the forward pocket while being grabbed by Dylan Grimes, and from the sharp angle it miraculously rolled through for a goal. In the first term, Wingard set up another soccer goal when he chipped it into the path of Finn Maginness who got a rushed boot to the ball under pressure from his opponent. Maginness immediately chased after the bouncing ball, but to his delight, the ball kept tumbling end over end and dribbled over the goal line.

Dirty day for Denver
Denver Grainger-Barras had a very quiet day at the office, and was subbed out at half-time after failing to register a stat. Originally drafted as a defender with the sixth overall pick, he was brought back into the team in recent weeks to play up forward, but he struggled badly on Saturday and will be in danger of losing his spot.

Scoreboard

TIGERS 3.2, 6.6, 9.9, 14.12 (96)

HAWKS 4.2, 10.3, 15.3, 15.5 (95)

LERNER’S BEST
Tigers: Taranto, Martin, Prestia, Broad, Ross, Baker, Graham.
Hawks: Sicily, Wingard, Newcombe, Lewis, Worpel, Amon, Ward.

GOALS
Tigers: Taranto 3, Martin 2, Baker 2, Graham, Hopper, Miller, Soldo, Bolton, Riewoldt, McIntosh.
Hawks: Lewis 4, Wingard 3, Brockman 2, Breust 2, Worpel, Maginness, Newcombe, Moore.

REPORTS Ned Reeves (Hawthorn) for engaging in rough conduct with Ivan Soldo (Richmond) in the first quarter.

UMPIRES Heffernan, Mollison, Rodger, Young

VENUE Marvel Stadium

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LERNER’S VOTES

3 Tim Taranto (Rich)

2 James Sicily (Haw)

1 Dustin Martin (Rich)

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-round-19-richmond-v-hawthorn-all-the-news-action-and-fallout-from-tigers-thrilling-win/news-story/ea3d0cbb0400edc55048ae545523b087

[Tigeritis™©®]

“Richmond’s pressure skyrocketed in the final quarter as they out-tackled the Hawks 21-12 to win the stat convincingly 72-52”

Wow. Who would’ve thought that if we were to play a high pressure game we would get on top.