Media articles & stats: Dusty stars again as Tigers hold off Dons

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Match report: Dusty stars again as Tigers hold off Dons

AFL.com.au
17 July 2016

DUSTIN Martin's Brownlow charge gained more momentum on Saturday, with the Richmond star gathering a career-high 43 possessions in the Tigers' 19-point win over Essendon at the MCG.

The win came at a significant cost, however, with vice-captain Brett Deledio suffering another calf complaint that could sideline him for the rest of the season.

Richmond, now officially in "mini-rejuvenation" mode according to coach Damien Hardwick, took until the final eight minutes to shake the plucky Bombers before winning 16.6 (102) to 11.17 (83). 

And in another performance certain to earn him three votes, it was Martin who stood above every player on the ground, converting a brilliant set shot from 45m next to the boundary to seal the win.

The 25-year-old, wearing a black armband for his cousin who recently passed away, also set a career high with 14 clearances, finishing with six inside 50s, 22 contested possessions and two goals.   

Richmond led by just one point halfway through the final quarter after Bombers forward Joe Daniher kicked his second goal and capitalised on an extended period of momentum for the underdogs.

It took first-year Tiger Daniel Rioli to stand up in a big moment, converting a set shot from 48m to take back control, with Shaun Grigg matching that effort two minutes later to stretch the lead to 13.

Hardwick was careful in his praise for Martin, whose contested-ball dominance led to some wayward kicking and a disposal efficiency of 51 per cent.

"I thought his effectiveness probably wasn't right to the level that it normally is," the coach said.

"Essendon did a pretty good job of smashing into him, but 'Dusty' eventually sees off most guys, so it was a good game from him.

"When he plays in that 'beast-mode' mentality he's really hard to stop."

As well as Martin, the Tigers were led brilliantly by captain Trent Cotchin (35 possessions and six clearances), while Ben Griffiths kicked three goals and took a career-high 12 marks.

Bombers midfielder Zach Merrett just trailed Martin for best-on-ground honours with 34 possessions, 10 tackles and six clearances, while defender Patrick Ambrose kept Jack Riewoldt goalless.

The Bombers will rue wasted chances in the final term, with Shaun McKernan and Orazio Fantasia both missing gettable set shots as the team kicked 3.6 for the quarter.

Ruckman Matthew Leuenberger will also be reluctant to look back on a decision late in the third quarter to play on 25m from goal only to be chased down by defender Dylan Grimes.

Still, the Bombers had six more scoring shots and won the inside 50s 53-46 in what should be an encouraging performance going into next week's clash against the Brisbane Lions that presents a chance to get off the bottom of the ladder.

"It's good, I like the fact we're getting annoyed that we're getting close. We're not happy," coach John Worsfold said.

"That's a good sign because I reckon early in the year we would have said 'Gee, we're happy to get that close' so the fact we're really making teams fight to win games and giving ourselves a chance of winning is a real positive.

"The challenge now is to have the composure and the class to get in front late and hold onto it."

Essendon's best period was the opening 15 minutes of the game, kicking three unanswered goals, pressuring the Tigers into repeated errors and owning the stoppages.

The Bombers raced to a 19-point lead on the back of two goals to Fantasia, but they couldn't maintain the frenetic energy levels and were dragged back to level pegging at quarter-time as the Tigers found their feet.

Once rolling, Richmond's highlights included a goal-of-the-year contender from Sam Lloyd, who instinctively placed the ball on his right boot in the pocket after taking possession, guiding through a magnificent dribble goal.

At the start of the second quarter impressive Tigers youngster Oleg Markov kicked the first goal in what is shaping as a promising career, showcasing his skill and speed to convert on the run.

But as has been the case for much of 2016, it was the Tigers' best players driving the team, with Martin, Cotchin and Deledio combining for 63 first-half possessions, 13 clearances and 10 inside 50s.

Martin and Cotchin kicked on in the second half, but Deledio spent the rest of the game on the bench with his right calf on ice.

MEDICAL ROOM

Richmond: Brett Deledio will undergo scans after pulling up with a tight right calf at half-time. There was no specific incident that led to the complaint, but the Tigers will be ultra cautious with their vice-captain. Given his history, he could be put on ice for the rest of the season.

Essendon: James Gwilt injured his left knee early in the second quarter but was able to play on for the next 20 minutes. The defender was in obvious discomfort and his day was called before half-time. It is not clear how serious the injury is.

NEXT UP

Essendon's form line suggests it is a strong chance to beat the Brisbane Lions in next Sunday's clash at Etihad Stadium and get off the bottom of the ladder. Richmond faces Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday in another chance for the Tigers to develop their young players.

RICHMOND          3.3   7.3    11.5   16.6   (102)                 
ESSENDON          3.3   5.7    8.11   11.17   (83)           

GOALS
Richmond: Lloyd 3, Griffiths 3, Grigg 2, Martin 2, Rioli, Miles, Menadue, Markov, Hunt, Hampson
Essendon: Fantasia 3, Laverde 2, Daniher 2, McKernan, Hams, Kelly, Merrett

BEST
Richmond: Martin, Cotchin, Griffiths, Grigg, Short, Castagna, Lloyd
Essendon: Merrett, Fantasia, Ambrose, Kelly, Parish, Gleeson

INJURIES
Richmond: Deledio (calf)
Essendon: Gwilt (knee)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Foot, Fisher, Hosking

Official crowd: 44,908 at the MCG

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-16/match-report-dusty-stars-again-as-tigers-hold-off-dons

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Dusty delivers as Tigers see off brave Dons

Sam Edmund
Herald Sun
17 July 2016

SOMETIMES footy is as simple as the haves and the have nots.

Richmond has a bit, but Essendon have very little, and under sunny skies at the MCG on Saturday it was enough to make the difference.

It was a traditional Saturday afternoon timeslot that deserved more from two traditionally big clubs, but you had to tip your lid to Essendon’s pluck and refusal to chuck in the towel.

It took the Tigers until the 20 minute mark of the last quarter to finally shake off its downtrodden rival and you could argue they were fortunate to have done so.

The Dons finished with more inside 50s (53-46) and more scoring shots (28 to 22), but not for the first time were understandably found wanting in the talent stakes.

Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Ben Griffiths and cameos from Brett Deledio and Sam Lloyd was enough for the Tigers to grind out a positive result but it was uncomfortable for most of the afternoon.

Like against St Kilda a week earlier, Essendon simply refused to roll over.

Not when Richmond led by 16 half way through the second after six straight goals.

Not when Richmond led by 15 half way through the third and not when the Tigers surged again to lead by 20 at the 20-minute mark of the same quarter.

When Joe Daniher kicked a goal on the run with 10 minutes left, Essendon was only a point down and sniffing a huge upset. But late goals to Daniel Rioli and Shaun Grigg snuffed out the challenge.

It was a Richmond win underpinned by its big names and a key forward who showed what he is capable of.

Martin shook off the Craig Bird tag for a career-high 43 possessions — 22 contested. Trent Cotchin finished with 33 and while both lacked penetration and efficiency, sheer weight of numbers helped keep Essendon at bay.

Martin’s 14 clearances, two goals and six inside 50s were huge, while Brett Deledio was lively in the first half before cruelly straining another calf.

Ben Griffiths’ inconsistency has attracted critics, but he was ‘on’ on Saturday. His 12 marks — five contested — to go with 3.2 would have done two things — thrilled Richmond fans and made Ty Vickery nervous.

Griffiths’ standout game couldn’t have been better timed, with Jack Riewoldt kept to his quietest game of the year by the impressive Patrick Ambrose. Riewoldt didn’t hit the scoreboard until the dying minutes and had little influence.

Ambrose was one of a few highly promising displays that would have had Bombers fans heading home encouraged last night.

Zach Merrett fought a lone hand in the middle in what is becoming a more remarkable season by the week. With David Zaharakis again struggling with a tag, this time from Taylor Hunt, Merrett walked off with 34 possessions, 10 tackles and six clearances.

Orazio Fantasia kicked three first half goals, laid seven tackles and was a constant menace to the Richmond defence with his blend of trickery and anticipation. Mitch Brown again showed his worth in the air and while Daniher only had it six times for two goals, his defensive pressure should be commended.

Indeed, Essendon started fiercely in its approach to the ball and the man, sweating on Tiger mistakes and surging forward with vigour in the first quarter.

It was a tackling domination that saw Essendon kick the game’s first three goals inside seven minutes. Richmond took five minutes to register it’s first inside 50m and 17 minutes for Shaun Hampson to rip the ball out of the ruck and snap the Tigers’ first goal.

Hampson’s icebreaker paved the way for a Tigers assault that saw them slam on six unanswered goals, but skill errors, poor decision-making and over-possession again plagued its game.

RICHMOND 16.6 (102)

ESSENDON 11.17 (83)

GOALS

Richmond: B Griffiths 3 S Lloyd 3 D Martin 2 S Grigg 2 A Miles C Menadue D Rioli O Markov S Hampson T Hunt.

Essendon: O Fantasia 3 J Daniher 2 J Laverde 2 J Kelly S McKernan W Hams Z Merrett.

Umpires: Brendan Hosking, Nicholas Foot, Leigh Fisher.

Official Crowd: 44,908 at MCG.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dustin-martin-delivers-as-richmond-sees-off-the-brave-bombers/news-story/3c328a3df1858a1bcabf0e01ed14ff1c

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Tigers' best perform when it matters

Michael Gleeson
The Age
17 July 2016

RICHMOND 3.3  7.3  11.5  16.6 (102)
ESSENDON 3.3  5.7  8.11  11.17 (83)

Goals:
Richmond: B Griffiths 3 S Lloyd 3 D Martin 2 S Grigg 2 A Miles C Menadue D Rioli O Markov S Hampson T Hunt.
Essendon: O Fantasia 3 J Daniher 2 J Laverde 2 J Kelly S McKernan W Hams Z Merrett

Best:
Richmond: Martin, Griffiths, Lloyd, Cotchin, Miles, B Ellis, Short, Castagna, Astbury.
Essendon: Z Merrett, Hams, Fantasia, Parish, Bird, Goddard, Gleeson, Ambrose.

Umpires: Brendan Hosking, Nicholas Foot, Leigh Fisher.
Official Crowd: 44,908 at MCG.

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This was like two seasons wrapped up emblematically in one frustrating game. Richmond began the year without Brett Deledio and lost games. They finished this game with the talismanic player injured again, his calf now wrapped in ice, but did not lose.

They will be comforted that each time they were really under pressure they lifted sufficiently to take the game away.

Essendon played as they have this year, with pluck but not enough talent … or accuracy at goal. Still they can come from this game feeling arguably more emboldened for next year than their victorious opponents.

Zach Merrett was terrific and improves weekly. Darcy Parish likewise. Orazio Fantasia was their most lively and likely forward. Will Hams was busy and courageous, finding avenues through packs that are not immediately apparent. Brenton Sanderson likened him to Rory Sloane. It was a good likeness.

One of Essendon's most encouraging moments came when Hams won the ball at half-back, delivered to Jayden Laverde, who kicked long to Fantasia, who turned Dylan Grimes around and squeezed a goal.

Essendon got out to an early three goal-lead and, while inevitably Richmond overhauled them, the Bombers wanted to be part of the contest to the end. In the last quarter they closed to within one point.

There is argument about forgetting how to win in long seasons of losses, but with this team that is not a fair criticism because they can only do what they can with players they have. And with the players they have they continued to fight.

Laverde was drafted as a running half-back and, while he is "only" 190 centimetres, he plays encouragingly as a powerful third tall forward.

Both teams will have drawn encouragement from the game, even if those watching were frustrated for long periods with the way the ball moved. Richmond's play looks more like Jason Castagna's quasi namesake, George Costanza – short and wide.

Damien Hardwick might consider a ban for the rest of the season on handballing backwards then running further behind to try to accept the ball back again. He might also consider instructing that the first kick go forward, not short and sideways. The Tigers might also consider a plan to out-tackle each opposition for the remaining games (Essendon had 24 more tackles).

For all of that there is encouragement in the look of this Richmond outfit that Hardwick has wanted to scrutinise closely in the dead-rubber stages of the season.

Castagna has a step to his game and excitement. Oleg Markov, the son of Belarus polevaulter Dimitri, showed his pace and athletic daring running out of defence to at one point offer a lead for Griffiths, who obliged him with a pass. Markov took the mark and accelerated through to goal, then accelerated back even harder to enjoy the celebration of his first goal. He drew a jubilant crowd.

Jayden Short did a few clever things in defence. Connor Menadue got little of the ball but he has pace and good vision. Although yet schoolboy-thin, he could be a player. Dean Rioli was drafted as an elite talent and – while he will take time, like Menadue, to grow into an AFL player's body – he is smart and fast.

More persuasively, the long-time-coming forward Ben Griffiths played one of his best games. He took 12 marks and booted three goals, as if to say he wants and deserves to be there.

Richmond won because many of their proven talents performed when it mattered as Essendon pressed at them.

Dustin Martin had a power of the ball but every second kick missed a target or fell short. He had a career-high 43 touches, but 18 of his 35 kicks were ineffective or clangers. Yet he was still probably best on the ground.

Sam Lloyd is a creative talent, not fast or tall but with craft to his game and a knack of finding the goal. He dribbled a smart one from the pocket off half a step as he was being tackled in the first quarter to level the scores after an upset appeared a realistic possibility.

Essendon had three goals before the Tigers kicked one. Had Joe Daniher been able to hold a mark the Bombers might have opened up the sort of margin that would make Richmond panic. As it was, Trent Cotchin around the ball steadied his team.

Votes:

D Martin (Rich) 7

Z Merrett (Ess) 7

B Griffiths (Rich) 7

A Hams (Ess) 6

S Lloyd (Rich) 6

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/richmond-tigers-v-essendon-bombers-tigers-claw-something-from-season-20160716-gq75ke.html