Young Tigers bury Power in the mud ASHLEY PORTER, ADELAIDE
May 30, 2010 RICHMOND 3.4 6.9 7.11 10.17 (77)
PORT ADELAIDE 2.3 2.4 3.10 3.12 (30)
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Nason 3, Nahas 2, Tambling.
Port Adelaide: Ebert, Hitchcock, D Stewart.
BEST
Richmond: Newman, Deledio, Tuck, Cotchin, Riewoldt, Nason.
Port Adelaide: Carr, Thomas, Boak, Chaplin, K Cornes.
INJURIES
Richmond: Griffiths (corked thigh).
Port Adelaide: Brogan (back) replaced in selected side by Salter, Hitchcock (part-dislocation left shoulder), Salopek (part-dislocation right shoulder).
UMPIRES Kennedy, Wenn, H Ryan.
Crowd: 16,694 at AAMI Stadium.
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PORT Adelaide went from the hottest night this season in Darwin to the most miserable and wettest afternoon at AAMI Stadium.
And, when struck by cruel injuries, was forced to trudge through the mud a loser to Richmond.
It was Port's lowest-ever score in the AFL, surpassing its 4.8 (32), also against Richmond, in 1999.
But hell, there were no tears in Tigerland as the heartened faithful celebrated Richmond's first win since round 18 last year.
And of course, the first win as an AFL coach for Damien Hardwick.
Played in atrocious conditions, and before the smallest-ever hone-and-away crowd at AAMI Stadium - 16,694 - this contest was always going to be about who would go in hardest for the ball.
Obviously Richmond stood up to the challenge better. Port had 116 tackles, which is normally a fair effort. Richmond had 140, which is exceptional.
This win showed there remains a lot of character underneath the Tiger guernsey.
There has been hint of a breakthrough win, and given Port's injury woes, including the pre-match withdrawal of Dean Brogan (back), even an expectation on Richmond.
Call it fear of failure, if you wish, but Richmond showed from the opening minutes that it was tired of being a loser.
You have to feel for Port given the odds against it, but there have been times when Richmond would not have been capable of winning.
This win was an indication that, during Richmond's horror run, it has actually improved and when it sensed victory, the passion in its performance was obvious.
For the most part, the players slid in the slosh and dropped easy marks. The most inglorious play of the day was late in the first quarter when Richmond's Luke McGuane slid into the southern right goalpost on his back with his legs apart.
Among the many things to like about this Richmond effort was the performance of exciting forward Dustin Martin, playing just his ninth game, while other youngsters, especially Ben Nason (three goals), showed encouraging signs.
Mitch Farmer was also very good against the club that dumped him.
However, experience was the vital element in these conditions, and Chris Newman, Shane Tuck, Brett Deledio, Ben Cousins and Jack Riewoldt (four goals) led the way, ahead of the developing Trent Cotchin.
Port had many key players lost in the mud, but among the brave efforts were Brett Ebert, who was carried off seemingly heavily concussed from a heavy knock, and Steven Salopek, who returned from a right shoulder injury.
Josh Carr excelled in the conditions, and the improving Matt Thomas worked hard too.
But it was a dirty day in more ways than one for Port, which has now lost its past three games - to Carlton (26 points at home), Melbourne (one) and now Richmond - and has been dumped from the eight.
It is hardly form worthy of a finalist and next Sunday its opponent is Hawthorn at the MCG.
For Richmond, the challenge is St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
PLAYER WATCH
Josh Carr (Port Adelaide): Many were surprised Port retained Carr on its list this season, given the fact he's 30 and slower than before, but he once again demonstrated his great character by battling against the odds in conditions that suit his gritty, never-say-die style. He has 23 disposals - 14 of them contested.
Ben Cousins (Richmond): Cousins, 32 on June 30, may not be as quick as he was, but he was fast enough to run past a Port player and save a goal yesterday. Perhaps a small moment in a game, but it depicted his endeavour and he backed it up with some hard-earned possessions and clever disposals in difficult circumstances. Pre-game, it was suggested on radio he should retire, but his value to Richmond, and especially how he encourages and lifts his young teammates, still makes him a valuable asset.
WHERE THE GAME WAS WONIn atrocious conditions, the game was about playing tough football. Richmond clearly won the game through its superiority in clearances - 53-36. There were times when Port looked threatening and key Richmond players including Brett Deledio, Ben Cousins and Trent Cotchin won the hard ball and led the Tigers out of trouble.
WHERE THE GAME WAS LOSTPort was hit hard by injuries to Salopek, Hitchcock and Ebert, but while they disrupted Port's bench plans, the real key was the number of tackles. Port amassed 116, which is often a reasonable tally, but Richmond had an amazing 140. This was a reflection of the fact Richmond worked hardly and was far more focused. Port was caught out far too often and turned the ball over too many times.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/young-tigers-bury-power-in-the-mud-20100529-wmk8.html
