‘Way too many luxuries in 40 seconds’: Costly Tigers blunders in loss to Bombers exposedBen Waterworth
Fox Sports
May 22nd, 2023 2:18 pmDual premiership Kangaroo David King has exposed Richmond’s alarming disorganisation in defence during the frantic final minutes of Saturday night’s loss, claiming the Tigers gave Essendon “too many luxuries”.
In an arm-wrestle Dreamtime at the ‘G contest, the Tigers skipped out to an 18-point lead early in the last quarter before the Bombers mounted an extraordinary comeback.
Essendon kicked four of the last five goals of the game – including Sam Durham’s match-winning set-shot major with seven seconds left – to win by one point.
King on Fox Footy’s First Crack pointed to an abnormal number of defensive errors the Tigers made during the last minute of the match.
King firstly highlighted behind-the-goals footage of Bombers defender Mason Redman sprinting from the bench into space on the ‘fat side’ of the ground, which created a two-on-one scenario with Jordan Ridley against Richmond’s Rhyan Mansell at the edge of the centre square.
“When you’re watching this, think of what Richmond leaders normally do,” King told First Crack.
Mansell had to man up on two Essendon defenders. Source: FOX SPORTS“Richmond have got a spare man behind the ball, but the Richmond leaders elected to just let this happen.
“Mansell is the nominal match-up between two players – that’s a bad situation for a young player … If that’s Trent Cotchin, this next play doesn’t happen.”
After Zach Merrett’s inspirational run-down tackle on Dustin Martin, Ridley gobbled up the loose ball and kicked it to Redman, who sprinted away from Mansell – without any Richmond players coming forward at him – and found Jake Stringer at half-forward.
“Now the game is at a speed you can’t control,” King said.
“There’s no support layer in behind, so now they’re in real trouble.”
There was an outnumber near the goalsquare. Source: FOX SPORTSWhen Stringer had the ball, there were three Bombers forwards and two Richmond defenders deep inside Essendon’s 50.
“This is really uncharacteristic for me for Richmond to be so disorganised behind the ball,” King said.
“They’ve got an outnumber at the top of the goalsquare – you just don’t see that.”
The Tigers were able to clear danger – but only momentarily, with their clearing kick intercepted by Essendon veteran Dyson Heppell.
As the Bombers prepared one final attacking surge, Richmond defender Nathan Broad opted to play well in front of direct opponent Stringer. So when Essendon kicked the ball inside 50 towards Sam Draper, Broad left Stringer and joined three other Tigers players in a marking contest.
Jake Stringer was left unopposed in the pocket. Source: FOX SPORTSThe ball spilt behind that pack towards the forward pocket where an unopposed Stringer gathered and kicked it to the top of the goalsquare to set up Durham’s match-winning goal.
“The match-up with Stringer, if you’re going to leave him in that situation, you have to diffuse the problem. You can’t be part of the muck of a slight outnumber at the contest,” King said.
“There’s just way too many luxuries in 40 seconds of footy.”
The close loss continued an alarming trend for the Tigers who have lost seven – and drawn two – of their past nine games decided by under a goal.
“I know we talk a lot about losing close games and they’re all lineball. But you would’ve hoped that Jack Riewoldt or a Dustin Martin or Trent Cotchin … or even Nick Vlastuin, who’s got a great view of the whole thing, said: ‘Hey, I’ll roll up. I know we want to have a spare behind the ball, but I think I’ve got to help Rhyan Mansell in this situation,’” King said.
“It just didn’t happen – and it’s happened regularly with the Tigers.”
Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna added: “It doesn’t come down to luck. There is more to it. Things are happening every time they are playing in these close games. No wonder Damien Hardwick is so frustrated.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/richmond-tigers/afl-news-2023-richmond-errors-late-in-loss-to-essendon-exposed-by-david-king-on-first-crack/news-story/342c2126a88c07abe4b25f40b354374e
