Every Tiger rated from Sunday's elimination finalBy Jennifer Phelan
afl.com.au
8:22pm AEST Sunday, September 8, 2013Troy Chaplin - 4
Played on Matthew Kreuzer when the ruckman pushed forward, which happened often following his foot injury in the first quarter. Only touched the ball three times after half-time as the Blues surged and only took three marks for the game. Quiet.
Reece Conca - 1
Sadly, his afternoon lasted just 12 minutes and he failed to get a touch. Broke down with a significant high left hamstring injury on the members' wing in the opening term and was helped from the field. Was subbed out straight away and watched the rest of the game from the bench, needing crutches to get around.
Trent Cotchin - 9
Resumed pleasantries with Ed Curnow, who kept him to a season low of 14 touches in round 21. This time around, Cotchin had 10 by half-time but after realising he was going to drag a shadow around all afternoon, pushed forward and kicked two goals – the second on the half-time siren that gave the Tigers a 26-point lead and huge momentum. Had 16 touches after half-time and did all he could to save his side.
Brett Deledio - 8
Started the game well with eight disposals in the first but had a quiet second quarter. Had 12 after half-time and enjoyed a significant moment in the third when he won the hard ball against Jarrad Waite, ran through the middle, bounced three times and set up a shot on goal. Like Cotchin, tried all afternoon.
Aaron Edwards - 6
Appeared to hurt his left hip ahead of the main warm up but Tiger fans needn't have worried. Presented well early and took five marks in the first half although was wayward at times in front of goal. Had Andrew McInnes as an opponent in the first half and Andrew Walker in the second, with the latter gifting him a goal in the opening three minutes of the third for holding. Went back in the third when the Blues were charging but finished the game forward with a quiet final term.
Shane Edwards - 4
Returned this week from a one-week striking suspension and battled a combination of Andrew Walker and Chris Yarran. Only had 11 touches for the game and didn't kick a goal, finishing with two behinds.
Brandon Ellis - 5
Not much impact in the first half. Started on the wing after half-time, where he lined up on Heath Scotland. Got moving in the third with five disposals but touched the ball once in the fourth. Laid six tackles – the most of any Tiger.
Shaun Grigg - 4
Played on Scotland in the first half, which was a duel that had little influence on the game. Had 10 touches before the main break and faded after that with just four in the second half. Had seven contested possessions, laid four tackles and won three clearances but it wasn't an eye-catching game.
Dylan Grimes - 4
Took the lead of Rance and pushed up the ground early in the game to try and get involved, which he did at times. Played on Betts in the second and engaged in a bit of push and shove with the small forward. Tried hard and it was good to see him playing after an injury-riddled year.
Bachar Houli - 7
Did some nice things but made a few blues as well on his way to 20 touches. Often found himself in space and carried the ball well, with his highlight coming six minutes into the last quarter when he marked an Eddie Betts shot at goal right on the line when the margin was a mere three points.
Daniel Jackson - 6
Didn't have his finest day but did some brave things in the third quarter. The first saw him run at Betts under the flight of the ball and successfully spoil the goalsneak mid-air, hurting his right ankle in the process. Then, after being strapped, he put his body on the line again against Kade Simpson and Lachie Henderson later in the term. Wasn't his best game for the season but his courage can't be questioned. Had 21 disposals – seven in the last quarter.
Jake King - 3
Many were hoping King would emerge as the finals X-factor after a recent injury layoff, given his ability to provide timely sparks. But it wasn't meant to be, with the small forward having a remarkably quiet day. Had Andrew Walker as an opponent to start with. Touched the ball seven times before half-time but managed just another three after that. Went goalless for the fifth time this season but did have five inside 50s.
Ivan Maric - 6
A strong final stanza from Maric stood out, starting from when he was gifted a set shot in the goal square from Mitch Robinson's deliberate rushed behind. Kicked a second at the 15-minute mark of the quarter, which came from a beautiful gather in front of Lachie Henderson followed by a brief dash and right-foot snap that cut the deficit to four points. Was largely pitted against Warnock with Kreuzer limited, and it's fair to say the big Blue had the better of him for most of the day.
Dustin Martin - 6
Had a high-possession first quarter, highlighted by a characteristic fend off that sent Tiger fans into a frenzy, and four inside 50s. Came in and out of the game a bit but had 19 disposals for the afternoon, seven of which were contested, and had a patch late in the third quarter where he stood up.
Steve Morris - 4
Had his work cut out for him against two members of Carlton's mosquito fleet, playing on Eddie Betts and, at times, Jeff Garlett. Morris was punished in the fourth quarter when he fumbled in front of Garlett and was later outmarked by Betts, but he showcased his bravery when he smashed into Nick Duigan 16 minutes into the last when both players had their eyes glued on the ball.
Chris Newman - 7
Finally playing in the game that put his infamous 'most games without a final' record to bed, the former captain had his first touch at the 19-minute mark of the first quarter - a set shot that registered a point. Made up for it with an emotional goal in his nine-disposal second quarter where every nearly teammate embraced him. Looked sore at times and faded late but had an excellent first half where he was exceeded only by Marc Murphy for possessions.
Ricky Petterd - 4
Attracted Kade Simpson as an opponent and dragged him back into the goal square, which kept the Blues' ball winner quiet in the first half. Had one goal and 16 touches for the game with five in the last quarter.
Alex Rance - 7
Played a decent game against Jarrad Waite but probably lost out in the end. Got adventurous and moved up the ground on occasion, which saw him more involved and collect 20 possessions as well as push the ball inside 50 three times. Waite ended with four goals but Rance wasn't disgraced.
Jack Riewoldt - 3
Missed last week with knee and back issues and didn't really find his feet on the big stage. Pushed up the ground a lot, which seemed to free up Aaron Edwards early on, but didn't have an impact on the scoreboard with Michael Jamison holding him well. His only goal for the day came from a 50m penalty from Andrew McInnes for encroaching the mark in the second quarter. Had 11 disposals and took five marks.
Shane Tuck - 6
Started his last AFL game in the green vest but came on a lot earlier than expected when Conca ripped his hammy in the first quarter. Didn't leave much in the tank (he had more touches than 10 of his teammates after playing half of the first quarter) and 18 disposals – 14 contested – plus a goal 10 minutes into the second that was celebrated with high fives all around. A disappointing team result on which to end his career.
Tyrone Vickery - 4
Started well and kicked two goals in the second quarter but ended up being beaten by Henderson. Gave Maric a chop-out in the ruck and had nine hit-outs for the game but lacked scoreboard impact in the second half. Not a great day for him and Riewoldt.
Nick Vlastuin - 7
The Tigers knew this kid was a gun going into the game and will only be buoyed by how comfortable he was on the finals stage. Led the field for possessions at quarter-time with nine, which no doubt eased any nerves. While he ended the game with 16, he looked cool and calm when he got it and will be better for the experience. An excellent performance from the first-year defender.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-09-08/richmond-player-ratings
