Author Topic: Media articles & stats: Tigers farewell greats in style with win over Roos  (Read 612 times)

Offline one-eyed

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Tigers farewell retiring greats in style with win over Roos

Richmond defeated North Melbourne by 29 points to send the retiring Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt off in style

By AAP with Sophie Welsh
19 August 2023


RICHMOND                     3.2      10.5     11.10    14.17 (101)
NORTH MELBOURNE        2.3       6.7       10.7      10.12 (72)

GOALS
Richmond: Bolton 4, Martin 3, Soldo 2, Balta 2, Prestia, Nankervis, Riewoldt
North Melbourne: Larkey 6, Thomas 2, Taylor, Curtis

BEST
Richmond: Martin, Bolton, Taranto, Hopper
North Melbourne: Larkey, Sheezel, Thomas, Scott

INJURIES
Richmond: TBC
North Melbourne: McDonald (hamstring)

LATE CHANGES
Richmond: Nil
North Melbourne: Luke Davies-Uniacke (foot) replaced in selected side by Flynn Perez

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Maurice Rioli jnr replaced Marlion Pickett at three-quarter time
North Melbourne: Blake Drury replaced Luke McDonald in the second quarter

Crowd: 59,555 at the MCG

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RICHMOND has farewelled triple-premiership heroes Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt in style, defeating North Melbourne by 29 points in the retiring duo's final AFL match.

With finals out of the equation for both clubs, Saturday's 14.17 (101) to 10.12 (72) win became an emotional celebration for the Tigers faithful, who cheered off the much-loved pair as winners at the MCG for the last time.

Some late possessions to Cotchin and a signature high-flying mark for Riewoldt drew raucous applause from the fans, who gave several standing ovations throughout the day.

North challenged Richmond early and led by 14 points 10 minutes into the second term but the Tigers piled on seven goals to one for the remainder of the quarter, taking a 22-point lead into halftime and were never headed thereafter.

The class of Dustin Martin (31 disposals, three goals) and Shai Bolton (25 disposals, four goals) were the difference but the gallant Kangaroos refused to lie down, with Nick Larkey kicking three third-quarter goals and just nine points separating the two sides at the final change.

But the Tigers steadied, kicking three unanswered goals in the final term to cruise to a comfortable win.

Cotchin, who had battled a calf injury to get back for his farewell game finished with 18 disposals, while Riewoldt managed just one goal in his final game.

For the Kangaroos, former skipper Jack Ziebell was prolific in his 280th and final AFL match, amassing 23 disposals and taking a huge hanger over Liam Baker to add a final clip to his career highlights package.

Emerging midfielder Tarryn Thomas (25 disposals, two goals) stepped up in the absence of gun midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke, who was a late withdrawal due to a foot injury.

Thomas was classy throughout, kicking goals, setting up teammates with precision kicking and weaving his way through stoppages with ease, while young star Harry Sheezel had 38 disposals.

Spearhead Nick Larkey did his All-Australian selection chances no harm, booting six goals to take his tally to 62 for the season.

Riewoldt finishes his career with 787 goals to his name, leaving him in 13th place on the VFL/AFL goalkicking leaderboard, just short of former teammate Matthew Richardson (800 goals).

Richmond will take on Port Adelaide in Adelaide next Sunday in its final match of 2023, while North Melbourne will meet Gold Coast in Tasmania on Saturday to end its season.

Retiring trio farewelled
Saturday marked the final match for Richmond greats Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt, as well as for former North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell. Each had their moment during the game, with Riewoldt kicking a goal early, Ziebell taking a hanger and Cotchin producing some vintage midfield work. All three spent the final minutes of the game in their side's respective goal squares, waiting for an opportunity to kick one last goal. While none eventuated, the emotionally charged ceremony post-game was a fitting farewell to three greats of their respective clubs.

Late change a huge loss for the Roos
Midfield bull Luke Davies-Uniacke was withdrawn just an hour before the first bounce with a foot injury, leaving a big hole in North's midfield. Averaging 27.2 disposals and 6.7 clearances this year, Davies-Uniacke's absence around the ball was felt as Richmond dominated at stoppages. Tarryn Thomas was handy in Davies-Uniacke's absence, but with Dustin Martin in fine form, the Tigers won the clearances 35-26 and made the most of Martin and Shai Bolton's run.

https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4977#match-report

Offline one-eyed

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Winning send-off for Richmond champions as Dusty winds back clock (Age)
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2023, 12:08:23 AM »
‘Felt like grand final day’: Winning send-off for Richmond champions as Dusty winds back clock

By Damien Ractliffe
The Age
August 20, 2023


Richmond have given club greats Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin a winning send-off, overcoming North Melbourne at the MCG by 29 points, in a match that was surrounded by grand final-like celebrations.

The pair went through the banner with their kids pre-match, and then did a lap of honour with their teammates following behind them after the win, before pulling up in front of the goal square at the Punt Road end where they thanked the crowd in front of Richmond’s three most recent premiership cups.

While neither Riewoldt nor Cotchin played starring roles in their 292nd match together, teammates Dustin Martin and Shai Bolton were among the stars to make sure the Tigers sent their champions into retirement with a win, and Tigers coach Andrew McQualter said there was no doubt Martin rose for the occasion.

Eight minutes into the match, Martin passed the ball to Riewoldt to give him a chance to put an early highlight on the board, but a couple of minutes after Riewoldt shanked the set shot, Martin took it upon himself to kick the first goal of the day and get the team rolling.

Martin had an equal team-high 12 disposals in the opening term, but the Roos kicked the first three goals of the second quarter – in Jack Ziebell’s final game for the club – to turn a five-point quarter-time deficit into a 14-point lead.

But the Tigers clicked into gear midway through the second quarter, booting seven of the next eight goals, including two to Bolton, a second to Martin, and one for Riewoldt.

It wasn’t a vintage moment from the power forward, but it was a highlight, nonetheless, pouncing on a loose ball at the top of the goal square and rushing to get it onto his left foot before he was tackled by Ben McKay.

The ball barely hit his boot, but it trickled over the goal line to give Riewoldt his 787 career major.

Cotchin had arguably the first scoring chance of the day, but didn’t take the set shot from 50 metres out, electing to pass it off short.

The three-time premiership skipper had 11 disposals, seven contested possessions and four clearances in the first half and finished with 18 touches, enjoying the applause of the Richmond faithful each time he got it in the last quarter.

Martin kicked his third in the third quarter, and then passed one off to Cotchin to give him a shot at goal, but he wasn’t able to make the most of the opportunity.

Cotchin set Noah Balta up for the sealer early in the last, and then came to the bench to a standing ovation, while Riewoldt had three shots at goal late in the final term, but couldn’t slot any of them, despite having 90 per cent of the crowd in his corner.

Ziebell was thrown forward late, and had a difficult set shot of his own in the dying minutes, but was also unable to capitalise.

Riewoldt said the build-up to the match had been huge.

“It felt like grand final day today,” he said.

“I don’t think it’ll sink in [that I’ve retired] ’til round one next year when I come along and sit in the crowd … and watch the Tiges run around and yell at the umpires and scream at our team and cheer for the yellow and black.

“There really is no better job in the world than playing for Richmond.”

Cotchin let the emotion get the better of him, letting slip an expletive in an emotional tribute to Riewoldt.

“To this bloke here, it’s been an absolute f***** joy,” he said post-match.

“Footy’s a special game, it brings people together through the power of story. I’m just grateful for the journey, it’s been amazing.

“Look how many came out. It’s pretty special. It’s an amazing footy club.”

McQualter said the celebrations in the rooms had similar vibes to a grand final, and he foresaw a few hungover players at the club on Sunday. But he said the players had spoken about the two-week block to end the season, and expected the Tigers to be competitive next week against Port Adelaide, even without their two club greats.

Green shoots

If North Melbourne fans are looking for some silver linings going into 2024, Nick Larkey and Tarryn Thomas have again showed they’ve got a touch of class.

Thomas streamed out of the centre bounce to start the second quarter, but put the kick inside 50 over Larkey’s head.

The key forward wasn’t impressed, letting Thomas know the kick had to go short to his advantage.

But just moments later, after Thomas won a free kick for holding the ball, he put his next kick inside-50 to the hot spot, setting up Larkey for his second goal of the day.

Larkey finished with a bag of six, taking his season tally to 62 and giving All-Australian selectors something to think about, while Thomas kicked 2.2 and had four clearances, all from centre bounces.

Alastair Clarkson likened North Melbourne’s position to that of Richmond a decade ago, and said Larkey needed more support up forward.

Luke Davies-Uniacke was a late out with a foot injury, however Harry Sheezel again starred across the backline to maintain his stronghold on Rising Star favouritism.

Unfortunately, Luke McDonald’s season ended prematurely when he pinged his hamstring midway through the second quarter.

Tigers record

With 292 games together in the same team, Riewoldt and Cotchin hold the record for the most games played together by Richmond teammates.

They beat the previous Tigers record of 289, set by Kevin Bartlett and Francis Bourke, just a few weeks ago.

But they ultimately finish 15 games shy of the AFL record set by Adelaide greats Andrew McLeod and Tyson Edwards.

Only Tom Hawkins and Joel Selwood have been passed the 300-game barrier in recent years, finishing on 305 in last year’s grand final.

Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom played their 282nd game together on Friday night.


RICHMOND 3.2 10.5 11.10 14.17 (101)
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.3 6.7 10.7 10.12 (72)

GOALS – Richmond: Bolton 4, Martin 3, Balta 2, Soldo 2, Prestia, Riewoldt, Nankervis.
North Melbourne: Larkey 6, Thomas 2, Curtis, Taylor.

BEST – Richmond: Martin, Bolton, Hopper, Nankervis, Cotchin, Soldo.
North Melbourne: Larkey, Thomas, Sheezel, Scott.

INJURIES - North Melbourne: Luke McDonald (hamstring)

UMPIRES – Nicholls, Rebeschini, Rodger, McGinness
CROWD – 59,555 at MCG.


VOTES
Dustin Martin (Richmond) 9
Shai Bolton (Richmond) 8
Nick Larkey (North Melbourne) 8
Tarryn Thomas (North Melbourne) 7
Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne) 6

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-give-riewoldt-cotchin-a-winning-send-off-as-dusty-winds-back-clock-20230819-p5dxti.html

Offline one-eyed

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End of an era as Tigers fans farewell premiership heroes Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin

It’s the end of an era at Richmond, with nearly 60,000 fans turning out to farewell legends Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin. See the pictures.

Chris Cavanagh
HeraldSun
August 20, 2023


Young fans who were not born when Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin made their AFL debuts proudly held signs aloft around the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

One read: ‘Thanks for the memories’.

Others simply said: ‘Thank You’.

For many younger members of the Tiger Army, all they have ever known is a Richmond side led by a trio of stars in Cotchin, Riewoldt and Dustin Martin.

For those who are a little older, the trio rate as three of the club’s most important figures since the previous glory years of the 1970s and 1980s.

While Martin’s career will continue to be enjoyed next week and beyond, the curtains came down for Cotchin and Riewoldt with a 29-point triumph over North Melbourne.

Long-time Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale labelled the pair “transformative figures” of the club who sat in the “upper echelon” of players to pull on the yellow and black.

And the respect they have long commanded has not just been internal.

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson walked over to give Cotchin a hug as the two teams completed their pre-game warm-ups.

Three-time Tigers premiership coach Damien Hardwick was also there, having recently returned from a European summer escape.

Hardwick caught a train to the MCG to join in celebrations with fans, who turned up in their droves.

The corresponding match between the sides in Round 18 last year drew just 22,666 fans to Marvel Stadium.

Some 59,555 supporters – the vast majority wearing yellow and black – turned out to mark this special occasion at the MCG.

“There really is no better job in the world than playing for Richmond and we’ve been lucky to do it for 16 and 17 years,” Riewoldt said, holding back tears post-match.

“We’ve been involved in three amazing premierships but we’ve got a lifetime of memories that have been packed into the time we’ve been here and we feel so lucky to be at this football club, in this family for such a long period of time.”

Their children in toe, Cotchin and Riewoldt had earlier led their team through the banner one last time.

It read: ‘Thank You Trent and Jack. Tiger Champions Forever in our Hearts’.

A dead-rubber between two bottom-six sides, the match itself did not reach any great heights.

However, ‘Jumping Jack’ Riewoldt still showed he could get off the ground as he took a signature hanger over Aiden Corr in the last quarter, after earlier snagging a second-quarter goal.

Cotchin might be 33, but still started at the first centre bounce and attacked the ball with his signature hardness on his way to gathering 18 disposals for the day.

Fans hung around post-game to give the duo a standing ovation as they made their way around the MCG for one final lap.

As they were chaired through a large guard of hour, Mr Brightside loudly rang out of speakers around the ground.

The latest retirements leave the Tigers with just nine players from the 2017 premiership side still on their list – Martin, Dylan Grimes, Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia, Nick Vlastuin, Nathan Broad, Jack Graham, Daniel Rioli and Kamdyn McIntosh.

It is the end of an era which was shaped in a big way two Tigers greats – who not only leave behind plenty of memories but also big shoes to fill.

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/end-of-an-era-as-tigers-fans-farewell-premiership-heroes-jack-riewoldt-and-trent-cotchin/news-story/a68d1297bbcda29dcab7cc4aaa3a5f4c