Richmond VFL shows late fight, but succumbs to CarltonBy Brenton Mann
Richmond Media
18 March 2022Richmond VFL hosted Carlton in its final hit-out of the pre-season on Thursday afternoon at the Swinburne Centre, going down by 77 points.
Carlton burst out of the blocks with a nine-goal first quarter avalanche.
The Blues were near perfect, efficient and potent in front of goal, the final score reading 22.7 (139) to 9.8 (62).
The victors kicked 21 goals in the first three quarters, a large portion of them coming from beyond the arc.
Richmond was pricked into action by senior coach, Steve Morris at three-quarter time. They then kicked the last five goals of the game, ignited by talisman, Sydney Stack and Noah Cumberland up forward, both showcasing their aerial skills.
Stack was the first to soar above the pack inside-50, juggling a strong contested mark and converting his set-shot from a smidge inside the paint.
Cumberland then parked himself under a high ball inside the goal square, launching vertically at the ball and clutching another strong contested mark.
The burly forward is a definite barometer for Richmond, slotting two powerful goals in the final term, whilst Stack kicked two goals after half-time.
Maurice Rioli Jnr tried his hardest to lift his side, applying his trademark defensive pressure and sticking a handful of tackles in the front half.
He was sturdy over the ball, keeping his feet and driving through contests to propel the Tigers into rare attacking territory.
The zestful small forward pinballed in and out of congestion, flicking Blues and dishing off the ball and putting his teammates in better positions.
Rhyan Mansell worked his tail off all day, willing himself from contest to contest.
Mansell, Bigoa Nyuon and newly appointed skipper, Lachlan Street, provided the sturdiness behind the ball that allowed Richmond to capitalise on the scoreboard.
Thomson Dow’s evasion in traffic caught the eye, as he tried to turn the tide back in Richmond’s favour.
The Blues led by 53 points at the first change, holding the Tigers goalless for the quarter.
Carlton kicked the opening goal of the second term before Angus Hicks and Rioli Jnr sparked a mini-surge by the Tigers.
Slick half-forward, Judson Clarke had a direct hand in the opening goal for Richmond, using his electric pace and keen eye to put Hicks on a path to goal for their side’s opener.
Clarke would again show his skills in the last quarter, as he got in behind his defender, flicked into high gear and snapped truly for his debut goal in the Yellow and Black.
Hicks and Rioli Jnr teamed shortly after, with the former cutting off a Blues’ kick out, slapping the ball into the path of Rioli Jnr, who skidded through the Tigers’ second goal.
The goals dried up for Richmond for the rest of the second quarter, as the Blues added five more to their account, making it 15 for the half.
It was more of the same in the third term, as Carlton attacked at will, leading to a flurry of goals.
Ben Miller was deployed as a permanent forward, and fought tirelessly throughout, competing against two, three and four opponents at times.
Miller was rewarded with a goal in the third quarter, after showing great connection with Will Martyn, marking on the lead inside 50 and converting his set-shot.
Stack's hard work was then recompensed with a goal from an acute angle.
The Tigers were revitalised in the last quarter, getting the game played on their terms for most of the quarter and showing greater vigour and verve inside 50.
RICH 0.3 2.4 4.5 9.8 (62)
CARL 9.2 15.2 21.6 22.7 (139)
Goal Kickers:
Rich: Stack (2), Cumberland (2), Hicks, Rioli, Miller, Clarke, Lefa
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1080101/richmond-vfl-shows-late-fight-but-succumbs-to-carlton
