Media articles & stats: Tigers three straight with win over Dons

[one-eyed]

Match report: Tigers three straight with win over honest Dons

AFL.com.au
May 28, 2016

ESSENDON     3.1   6.2    8.3   10.7 (67)
RICHMOND    6.3   8.6   14.8  16.9 (105)

GOALS
Essendon: Fantasia 2, Brown 2, Parish 2, Daniher 2, Jamar, Crowley
Richmond: Deledio 3, Vickery 3, Lloyd 2, Riewoldt 2, Grigg 2, Cotchin 2, Griffiths, Edwards

BEST
Essendon: Zaharakis, Goddard, Kelly, Parish, Dempsey
Richmond: Martin, Deledio, Ellis, Cotchin, Grigg, Batchelor, Hampson

INJURIES
Essendon: Matthew Leuenberger (Achilles soreness) replaced in the side by Mark Jamar, Craig Bird (nose), Michael Hartley (right hamstring)
Richmond: Daniel Rioli (right knee)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stevic, Kamolins, Ryan

Official crowd: 56,948 at the MCG

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RICHMOND'S revival continues to gather momentum after defeating Essendon by 38 points in their Dreamtime at the 'G clash on Saturday night.

In front of 56,948 fans who braved the icy conditions for the showpiece event of the renamed Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, the Tigers did no more than was required in grinding out a 16.9 (105) to 10.7 (67) victory.

After lurching to 1-6, Richmond has won its past three games to remain in the hunt for a fourth successive finals campaign. Meanwhile, the suspension-depleted Bombers are 1-9 after dropping their past eight games.

The Tigers' midfield was the difference, proving too prolific and classy for the young Bombers, with the strong efforts coming from best afield Dustin Martin (a career-high 38 possessions), Brett Deledio (23 and three goals), Shane Edwards (26 and a goal), Trent Cotchin (29 and two goals), Brandon Ellis (30) and Shaun Grigg (23 and two goals).

Edwards and Deledio were instrumental in setting up the Tigers' early ascendancy – Edwards gathering a game-high 12 touches and a goal in the first term, while Deledio showed no effects of the illness that prevented him from training late in the week, kicking two first-quarter goals and amassing 17 possessions in the first half.

Richmond twice threatened to blow the game apart in the first half before Essendon admirably fought back to within striking distance.

The Tigers jumped out of the blocks with four of the first five goals to lead by 19 points midway through the opening term, but against the script, the Bombers responded with two quick goals.

The Tigers then rattled on the next three goals to extend their advantage to 28 points early in the second quarter before the Bombers again conjured back-to-back goals, with Orazio Fantasia's second major from a set shot after the siren reducing the margin to 16 points at the long break.

Richmond ground away to a 41-point lead by three-quarter time before the never-say-die Dons breathed new life into the contest with the first two goals of the final term, before Ty Vickery kicked his third goal, and ultimately the sealer, midway through the final term.

As expected, the Bombers were outclassed, but they weren't outworked, bravely continuing to take the game on in a manner best exemplified by youngsters Fantasia and Darcy Parish combining for a terrific goal midway through the third term.

This exuberant duo was among the Dons' best performers – Parish (25 disposals and two goals) continuing to push his claims for NAB AFL Rising Star honours in an impressive midfield/forward display, while Fantasia (two goals) was lively in attack.

Usual suspects in skipper Brendon Goddard (34) and David Zaharakis (30) led the Bombers strongly, while Zach Merrett and Adam Cooney tried hard, and Courtenay Dempsey proved a quality inclusion across half-back.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-28/tigers-make-it-three-wins-in-a-row-over-honest-dons

[one-eyed]

Dusty keeps Tiger dreams flickering

Herald-Sun
29 May 2016

DAMIEN Hardwick called it a half step backwards.

When Richmond’s season began to spiral out of control in the first six weeks, the coach said a recalibration was required which — within the course of a couple of weeks — would help get Richmond’s campaign back on track towards mid-season.

Saturday night’s 38-point win over Essendon wasn’t exactly pretty, but the Tigers’ third-straight victory gives them some much needed confidence and momentum heading into a crucial clash against North Melbourne in Hobart on Friday night.

Dare we say it, another win would elevate Hardwick’s men, after some early-season pain, back into the finals mix.

There were patches where Essendon showed Richmond up around the contest, but all in all they look dangerous again, the Tigers.

And the top-line stars who were either out injured or down on form early on in the year have roared back to life, brushing off a flat second-term to hold off the hard-nosed Bombers in the ‘Dreamtime at the G’ clash.

Dustin Martin led Richmond’s revitalised engine room in the newly-fashioned inside midfield role, gathering 38 possessions. As much as he hurts the opposition bursting away on the outside of the contest, Martin has come to the rescue of captain Trent Cotchin inside the clinches.

Cotchin has benefited, too. The skipper had another excellent night, and importantly, hit the scoreboard with two goals, to go with his usual swag of possessions.

His kicked his first major of the night from a stoppage at an important point in the third term, to help stave off the Bombers’ second-term comeback. He looks back to his best, Cotchin.

And on a night where Essendon’s skill errors cost them, Brett Deledio’s class and Shane Edwards’ tenacity helped spark Richmond in the first term, helping quickly catapult Hardwick’s men out to a 20-point lead at the MCG.

Despite talk Deledio should be traded, the star playmaker illustrated his importance to the Richmond side booting two first-term goals. He has clearly found his groove after missing the first five games of the season with a quad injury.

But while Richmond was the story, keeping their finals hopes alive despite some ebbs and flows, Essendon continue to make something out of what could have been a nothing season.

They don’t give up the Bombers, no matter what the scoreboard. And even when Richmond shot out to a 41-point lead at the last change, the hard-nosed Bombers still shaded Richmond in the tough stuff in the last term, showing some resilience and spirit.

A shell-shocked Essendon was blown away by Collingwood in their first blockbuster of the year and brought in more experience to avoid a repeat in the Dreamtime game.

And while there was a clear class difference from early on, the Bombers admirably clawed their way back into this one on the back of some hard-edged tackling when Richmond went into bruise-free mode in the second quarter.

Continuing his career-best season, David Zaharakis was superb carrying a heavy load in the engine room with another eight first half clearances, while Zach Merrett and Brendon Goddard were shining lights against the flow.

But it was Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti who injected some electricity into the contest every time he neared the ball, catching Kane Lambert with a desperate chase and lunging tackle in the second term that helped keep the Bombers in it.

He’s also composed with the footy, the hard-nut back flanker, and on a night where Bombers’ turnovers hurt them on the scoreboard, McDonald-Tipungwuti helped steady Essendon with his assured ball use in the defensive half of the ground.

When Joe Daniher slotted his first goal and Orazio Fantasia caught Shaun Hampson with the ball to slot his second major, the Bombers had nailed back-to-back goals to cut the margin to 16 points at half time.

Richmond lapsed in the second term, laying only 12 tackles. Jack Riewoldt made up for a 20m set shot miss with a 50m laser minutes later, but it was Martin who looked like he could be the difference for the Tigers when the intensity faded.

RICHMOND 6.3 8.6 14.8 16.9 (105)

ESSENDON 3.1 6.2 8.3 10.7 (67)

GOALS

Richmond: Deledio Vickery 3, Cotchin Grigg Riewoldt Lloyd 2, Edwards Griffiths

Essendon: Brown Daniher Fantasia Brown 2, Crowley Jamar

BEST

Richmond: Martin Deledio Cotchin Edwards Grigg Riewoldt

Essendon: Goddard Zaharakis McDonald-Tipungwuti Kelly Bird

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmond-too-good-for-essendon-in-dreamtime-at-the-g-beating-bombers-by-38-points-in-round-10/news-story/16adba6cd48530a9a48dd96b3545d613

[one-eyed]

Bombers' grit not enough to derail resurgent Tigers

Larissa Nicholson
The Age
29 May 2016

RICHMOND 6.3 8.6 14.8 16.9 (105)
ESSENDON 3.1 6.2  8.3   10.7 (67)

Goals -
Richmond: Deledio 3, Vickery 3, Riewoldt 2, Grigg 2, Lloyd 2, Cotchin 2, Griffiths, Edwards.
Essendon: Parish 2, Daniher 2, Brown 2, Fantasia 2, Jamar, Crowley.

Best -
Richmond: Martin, Deledio, Cotchin, Grigg, Edwards.
Essendon: Zaharakis, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Parish, Goddard.

Umpires: Stevic, Ryan, Kamolins.

Crowd: 56,948 at MCG.

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Richmond continued their slow climb back up the ladder on Saturday night, notching their third win a row, this time against Essendon.

For Essendon it was another honourable loss, one that showed they were as spirited as ever and playing better as a group but their overall skill level was still below par.

That the Tigers did not thrash the Bombers was due in part to the perseverance of the underdogs, but leaves a question mark over just how long their renaissance will last.

In front of 56,948, the game got off to an ominous start for the Bombers – just 30 seconds after the siren, tall forward Ben Griffiths took a contested overhead mark about 45 metres out and goaled.

Five minutes in Mark Baguley got a free kick in an almost identical position at the other end of the ground and missed badly, sending the ball out on the full.

It was nearly 10 minutes in before the Bombers scored a goal, off the boot of Mitch Brown, but they were still showing some real signs of improvement.

Instead of a loosely formed rag-tag group of not-quite-fit-enough older players and inexperienced youngsters, they began to look like a team.

Their line-up remained eclectic, but they showed signs they were learning to sense where their teammates were positioned and how to reach them – at least some of the time.

They came within seven points of Tigers minutes before the first break, but Richmond's Shaun Grigg and Brett Deledio kicked a goal apiece late to put them 20 points up.

The Bombers actually won the second quarter by four points, helped along by some poor kicking for goal by Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt.

The statistics showed the underdogs were getting the ball into their forward 50 almost as often as the Tigers, although when they got it there Richmond's defenders often outmuscled and outsmarted their forwards.

Richmond's superior skills really started to show after the main break.

Bomber Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was typically good in defence, working relentlessly to mostly keep Tigers' young gun Daniel Rioli out of the game and putting their tall forwards on notice.

Quick and brave, the cult hero keeps providing Essendon fans with highlights in an otherwise difficult year.

But after Griffiths missed a goal from 45 out on a 45 degree angle, Sam Lloyd, Ty Vickery and Trent Cotchin booted three in quick succession.

Essendon were persistent, kicking a goal here and there, but Richmond went into the final change with a 41-point lead.

The Bombers did not give up – when Darcy Parish kicked the first goal of the final quarter, he celebrated as if it had put his team in front.

Joe Daniher booted the next one and had Brendon Goddard not missed a shot at goal Essendon could have almost clawed their way back into the game.

But the Bombers just did not have the savvy to string a chain of possessions together and Richmond were too often able to intercept any attempt they made at working the ball up the ground.

It was not exactly a blow-out in the end, a 38-point win to the Tigers that did not shed much light on exactly how good, or mediocre, Richmond will be in the second half of the year.

After a horror start to the 2016 season, they beat a highly rated Sydney by a point, then cleaned up lowly Fremantle and now Essendon.

They were focused and confident for the Dreamtime match and senior players including Dustin Martin, Cotchin, Deledio and Griggs stood up. Martin was named man of the match after collecting 38 disposals.

Now with four wins and six losses, they face a much sterner test against North Melbourne on Friday night in Tasmania.

The Bombers play Fremantle on Saturday and it may be their best opportunity to win a second match for the season, and the Dockers' chance for their first.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/essendon-v-richmond-bombers-grit-not-enough-to-derail-resurgent-tigers-20160528-gp6c54.html

[one-eyed]

Essendon v Richmond: Best performers on the night finished before the game

Greg Baum
The Age
29 May 2016

This was a vibrant celebration of indigenous Australia, a lesser celebration of the so-called indigenous Australian game.

It is not too far-fetched to say that the some of the best and boldest performers on the night were nearly bare dancers, some from Richmond's Laguntas program, who enacted the pre-game rituals as the temperature plummeted into single figures. It was not so much that the stars barely performed as that the stage was diminished. This was only to be expected. The Tigers are still gathering themselves up after a disastrous start to the season. The Bombers' season was doomed from the start.

Richmond at their most fluent looked a credible finals candidate. Cotchin, Martin and Deledio in the same midfield would stiffen any team. It is the Tigers' rare pleasure just now. But in something of a Richmond affliction, having stamped their authority, they let the Bombers steal a little bit of it away again with the first two goals of the last quarter. It was never close, nor should it have been.

Essendon's handicap was a handful of players not yet at, or no longer at, the standard. This was hardly news. For the Bombers, this season has become a kind of initiation rite; they have been turned out into the wilds and left to fend for themselves. There are plenty of signs that they will be stronger and better for it when the whole tribe is gathered again. They should and will take heart from playing the match out. It was still a big enough stage for that to be important in the club's memory banks.

Meantime, Pat Ambrose played full-back, Mark Baguley in attack, to see what they might do. If it was any other club, it would be called tanking. A silver lining for the Bombers this season is that they don't have to tank to get what they want out of it. Ambrose was led a merry dance by Jack Riewoldt. Baguley looked proficient in everything except a forward's minimal obligation, to score occasionally.

If you wanted to be fanciful, you could say that the match took its cue from the war cries performed by troupes of Indigenous for each club as they lined up before the first bounce. That is, they advanced in formation, threatened loudly, made all the gestures and sounds of threat, then backed off and did it all again. This was because each started with a watchful extra man retreating into defence. It meant, among other things, that only one in every 10 marks in this match was contested.

The Tigers were at their best when they moved quickly, darting through the ranks. At first, they did it too rarely, playing into Essendon's hands. As the match progressed, and the threat receded, they began to run through the Bombers like a team still entertaining finals pretensions should.

Essendon showed commendable will to take on the game, but a lesser ability to match actions to intentions. It is fair to say that the number of Essendon kicks that ended up in Richmond hands amounted to an extra player's worth. In fact, a prolific player's worth. The Bombers had to be content with counting other blessings. There were forward pocket cameos from Orazio Fantasia and Darcy Parish, a

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/essendon-v-richmond-best-performers-on-the-night-finished-before-the-game-20160528-gp6caj.html