Media articles & stats: Tigers overrun by late Sydney surge

[one-eyed]

Tigers overrun by late Sydney surge

Richmond have fallen to a third straight loss after fighting back against Sydney, but ultimately getting run over late.

By Callum Twomey
AFL Media
15 April 2023

RICHMOND 2.2 3.8 10.9 11.12 (78)
SYDNEY 4.4 7.5 11.10 18.14 (122)

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Cumberland 2, Ryan, Pickett, Mansell, Clarke, Baker
Sydney: Papley 6, Heeney 2, Amartey 2, Campbell, Corey Warner, Chad Warner, Rowbottom, Stephens, Mills, McInerney, McDonald

BEST
Richmond: Baker, Riewoldt, Hopper, Prestia, Taranto
Sydney: Papley, Blakey, Warner, Lloyd, Gulden, Heeney

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Sydney: Amartey (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Maurice Rioli (replaced Trent Cotchin in the third quarter)
Sydney: Will Gould (replaced Joel Amartey in the second quarter)

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Tom Papley has starred to help Sydney bounce back from last week's loss to roll Richmond by 44 points at Adelaide Oval.

The 2021 All-Australian proved the difference on Friday night, booting a career-high six goals from 25 disposals as the Swans got back on track with a 18.14 (122) to 11.12 (78) victory.

But they didn't have it all their own way. After leading by as much as 28 points during the third term, the Tigers hit back with a seven-goal blitz to reduce the margin to just seven points at the final change.

But just as it looked like the Tigers would make a charge, the Swans regained the momentum off the back of Papley, who kicked four of his goals in the last term.

Isaac Heeney was also excellent with a couple of goals, while Joel Amartey booted two before limping off with a hamstring injury.

The Tigers had the top three disposal-winners on the ground (Liam Baker, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper) but failed to make an impact on the scoreboard, despite Jack Riewoldt's four goals.

It was a nasty start to the contest for Riewoldt, who suffered a bad cut to the head in the opening stages of the game that saw him leave the field with a rare amount of bloody streaming down his face.

Fortunately, the accidental clash was quickly fixed up with a headband and Riewoldt swiftly returned. The 34-year-old was influential, too, having the best game of his season with four goals and plenty of strong contests in attack.

The night started off with Sydney's tall threats proving trouble for the Tigers, with Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey working in tandem in attack. In the absence of Lance Franklin (knee), Amartey booted two goals for the opening quarter and was the focal point of Sydney's forward half.

Sydney jumped to a 21-point break, capitalising on their clearance and inside-50 advantage, before some Noah Cumberland spark helped the Tigers get back to within 14 points at quarter-time.

But the game had a twist in the second term when Amartey limped from the field clutching at his hamstring and was substituted out of the game.

Already stretched for height with the McCartins sidelined with concussions, the Swans had to make their adjustments on the run. McDonald hit the scoreboard himself, before Corey Warner and Justin McInerney slotted majors to help steer the Swans to a 21-point lead at half-time.

An early goal in the third term stretched Sydney's lead to 28 points, but Richmond's response was significant. The Tigers kicked seven of the next nine goals of the 36-minute quarter, with Riewoldt's pack mark and conversion getting them to within seven points at the final change.

It was a mix of the young and old in Richmond's run, with Cumberland, Samson Ryan and Judson Clarke all hitting the scoreboard, while steady hand Liam Baker also floated forward to show his class.

But Richmond's dash had been made, with the Tigers managing just another goal for the game as Papley's four in the final quarter produced the knockout blow. 

The loss leaves the Tigers with just one win and a draw from the first five matches.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1307508/tigers-overrun-by-late-sydney-surge

[one-eyed]

AFL Sydney defeats Richmond: Tigers suffer worst defeat in two years as Trent Cotchin subbed out of game

Patches of this match were packed with pride, but ultimately it was Richmond’s worse loss in two years. And what lies ahead for substituted ageing star Trent Cotchin?

Sam Landsberger
HeraldSun
April 15, 2023

The gruesome sight of Jack Riewoldt jogging from Adelaide Oval with blood gushing all over his face was a picture of Richmond’s season.

Riewoldt, 34, has done it all in football. But he was hurting ... and while they say be beware of the wounded Tiger, they didn’t say beware of 13 of them.

That’s how many Richmond players were unavailable for Friday night’s loss to Sydney and these Tiger cubs playing in many of their places have lost that aura of those golden years.

On Friday night only four AFL-listed players played VFL for Richmond.

Last week Maurice Rioli was dropped to the VFL, where he had only seven disposals and “limited game impact” in the words of coach Steven Morris.

But this week he was back in the AFL side as the substitute. Until a spate of Swans goals in the last quarter this looked like being a spirited loss.

Patches of it were packed with pride. But ultimately it was Richmond’s worst defeat in two years.

The Tigers, with just one win after round 5, now face flag favourites Melbourne and Gold Coast, two clubs they’ve lost their last two games against.

When the triumphant Tigers were ticking over premierships it was on the back of turnovers.

But on Friday night they were outscored by six goals from that source.

The game got back on Richmond’s terms in the second term and the scoreboard got back on Richmond’s terms in the third term.

The Tigers won clearances 7-4 and inside 50s 17-10 in the second term – but kicked a wasteful 1.6.

In the third term they pinged through seven goals, their third quarter for the season with at least that many majors.

This year the Tigers have plummeted from No.1 to No.15 in attack … but they have shown in spurts the potency remains.

Riewoldt, 34, was a key reason. He made a brave return with his head bandaged-up Joel Selwood-style and slotted 4.1.

Riewoldt has to be the man for the next three months with Tom Lynch (foot) sidelined.

But you wonder what lies ahead for poor old Trent Cotchin (four kicks), who looked shattered to be substituted during the third quarter.

Hours before the game Cotchin warmed up on Adelaide Oval by himself. He marked balls and kicked set-shots. He nailed every goal, bar one that hit the post.

But the Brownlow Medallist has now either started or ended the Tigers’ past two games as the substitute.

Some of the Tiger cubs are looking like beauties. Like Noah Cumberland, who brings an energy not unlike Swans match-winner Tom Papley.

Judson Clarke seemed a candidate to be substituted out of the game. But minutes after it was Cotchin, Clarke snapped a goal to bring the Tigers within six points.

Samson Ryan’s first half was forgettable. Finally, he took his moment with a contested mark and goal in the third quarter.

Then, in the last quarter, Ryan dropped another one. This one was equally as important, as it allowed Tom Papley to run into an open goal and kick his fourth.

Then, Ryan dropped another one when the ball bounced off his chest inside 50m.

Hugo Ralphsmith, 21, had some twitchy moments. Where is he at?

Noah Balta is a cub no more. But what was up with him on Friday night?

When Isaac Heeney intercepted his handball at halfback to run into an open goal it returned the Swans’ breathing space.

Balta has credits in the bank. Sadly for the Tigers, their 2023 credits are running out.

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SCOREBOARD

TIGERS 2.2 3.8 10.9 11.12 (78)

SWANS 4.4 7.5 11.10 18.14 (122)

PHELAN’S BEST
TIGERS: Baker, Riewoldt, Taranto, Hopper, Prestia, Rioli.
SWANS: Papley, Ch. Warner, Blakey, Lloyd, Gulden, Heeney, Mills.

GOALS
TIGERS: Riewoldt 4, Cumberland 2, Ryan, Pickett, Mansell, Clarke, Baker.
SWANS: Papley 6, Heeney 2, Amartey 2, Co. Warner, Ch. Warner, Stephens, Mills, McInerney, McDonald, Campbell, Rowbottom.

INJURIES TIGERS: Riewoldt (cut head). SWANS: Amartey (hamstring).

UMPIRES Power, Stephens, Gavine, Mollison

42,134 at ADELAIDE OVAL

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

JASON PHELAN’S VOTES

3 Papley (Syd)

2 Ch. Warner (Syd)

1 Baker (Rich)

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-news-how-do-richmond-turn-their-season-around/news-story/0db253622d46ec37c97edf28fdc18b8d

[WilliamPowell]

"Poor old Trent Cotchin who looked shattered to be substituted"?

Seriously, WTF?

Talk about trying to make a headline grabbing story

I know BT on the call made a big deal about it too

But he was playing terribly, could not chase and gain ground it was the right call

He looked surprised but shattered? Angry? Er no