Power crumbles under pressure
02 May 2005
Herald Sun
Jon Pierik
THERE was always going to be something for the Richmond faithful to cheer about yesterday.
While few pundits expected a win over defending champions Port Adelaide, the afternoon would at least give fans the chance to thank Matty Richardson for his 200 often eventful games.
The debuts of the exciting Richard Tambling and Danny Meyer were also reasons to head along to Telstra Dome.
But as they filed, or should that be danced, out of the stadium yesterday, few of the 21,000-strong Tiger supporters on hand would have expected to feel the joy of a 56-point victory.
This was a day to savour, although the first quarter and a half could be edited out as the Power strolled to what looked to be a match-winning 28-point break.
Warren Tredrea had the better of Ray Hall, Brendon Lade was too tall for Darren Gaspar, Gavin Wanganeen, manned by Meyer for a while, was superb in the middle while Toby Thurstans controlled half-back.
If not for some terrible kicking at goal – five of the Power's opening six points came from botched easy set or running shots – the contest would have been over.
"We didn't play a good style of footy in the first quarter," Tigers coach Terry Wallace offered after the match.
That was obvious. The Tigers dithered in the midfield and gave forwards Richardson and Nathan Brown little chance to find space. It was excruciating to watch.
Thankfully, it must have felt that way in the middle as it prompted Tigers midfielder Shane Tuck to do something about it.
Tuck, the son of former Hawthorn champion Michael, had 10 touches in the second term but that didn't tell the full story.
He ran hard, contested, smothered and tackled as he dragged the Tigers back from the abyss.
"The one thing you know about him is he is always going to be in there having a crack for you," Wallace said.
The coach's positional changes also worked a treat as Gaspar was moved to Tredrea and Mark Graham from Brett Ebert to Lade.
Suddenly, the Tigers were energised and hunted in packs and with aggression.
While the next three goals, two from the much-maligned Kayne Pettifer, lifted Tiger spirits, the magic moment had yet to come.
Fittingly, it was provided by Richardson on the cusp of halftime when he towered over a pack like he was the spring-heeled lad of a decade ago.
It was a moment to cherish as he launched himself over Thurstans and was strong enough to ensure Michael Wilson wasn't able to punch the ball away.
The big man kicked truly from 10 metres and the fans went wild.
The Tigers had somehow pinched a two-point break by the major change but the great challenge awaited: Could they sustain the run?
That question was emphatically answered as Tuck, Joel Bowden, Mark Coughlan and Greg Tivendale ensured the Tigers took control at stoppages, while Big Richo continued his day out on Matthew Bishop.
The Power managed just the two points for the term with Tredrea and Lade invisible.
Troy Simmonds, after a forgettable first half, also emerged as a dominant force in the ruck and added more fuel to suggestions his Power counterpart Matthew Primus may no longer belong at the elite level.
Simmonds helped the Tigers to a 16-4 advantage for the day in centre hitouts, ensuring the Power found it hard to reignite their day – and season.
Richardson deserved the ovation he received when, with five minutes remaining in the match, he was taken off after a three-goal, 17-mark masterpiece.
The impressive efforts of Tambling across half-forward and Meyer in the midfield added to what was a joyous day for the yellow and black.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,15146422%255E19771,00.html
