Media articles and stats: Tigers stake top-four claim with win over Port

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Tigers stake top-four claim

afl.com.au
2 July 2017

NOT all games need to be clean, crisp, high-scoring contests to be entertaining.

What the 39,979 people witnessed at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night was frantic, messy and full of mistakes, interwoven with moments of brilliance.

Richmond supporters won't care. Nor should they.

In the end, the Tigers stood up under intense pressure to grab a huge scalp and move up to fourth on the ladder.

On the back of an outstanding performance from Brownlow Medal contender Dustin Martin, the Tigers produced a huge second half to defeat Port Adelaide by 13 points – 11.10 (76) to 8.15 (63).

Dan Butler chimed in with three goals straight, including a brilliant run and carry through the middle of the ground that will be among the contenders for goal of the round.

His final major in the last quarter put the Tigers up by 19 points mid-way through the last quarter.

The Tigers (9-5) booted eight goals to three in the second half, and six straight goals in the third and fourth quarters, en route to their fourth win from their past five.

"It was pretty special," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said of the win.

"We didn't play particularly well, I thought every player had a really big moment at every stage and I hope our fans back home are really proud of the players, I thought they showed enormous heart.

"We were under siege, especially in a period in the second quarter and the players just fought it out.

"We had to find a different way to win.

"Our game wasn't spot on tonight, either was Port Adelaide's, I was really proud of how the players fought it out and managed to get the four points, it's a really big win over here, there's no doubt."

For the Power (8-6), yet another loss against a top-eight side will continue talk about their stuff bully reputation.

"Our conversion tonight was our biggest issue," Power coach Ken Hinkley said of his sides waywardness in front of goal.

"It has been more than a couple times this year.

"If we're being really honest, that's the thing stopping us from making the next step, stopping us beating the sides we need to beat to be a genuine threat in the competition."

Martin ran riot in the midfield with 37 possessions while also kicking a clutch goal in the third term.

A goal from midfield bull Sam Powell-Pepper gave the Power a sniff, but Jayden Short sealed the result for the Tigers.

Kane Lambert (33 disposals), Dion Prestia (24) and Brandon Ellis (29) were busy, while debutant Tyson Stengle kicked a couple of crucial goals.

Chad Wingard was a standout for the Power, racking up 39 touches in the midfield, while Powell-Pepper must surely have enhanced his chances for the NAB Rising Star with another brilliant game (24 disposals and two goals).

Power star Robbie Gray was held to just 1.3 and 14 possessions after a match-turning five goals against Collingwood last week.

Jackson Trengove played as a defensive forward with his sole task consisting of shutting down Alex Rance.

Trengove applied physical pressure to Rance at every opportunity and didn't allow the dynamic defender any space.

Rance was quiet in the first half, but the All Australian showed his class to exert himself on the contest when the game was up for grabs, finishing with 19 possessions.

Power defender Hamish Hartlett picked up a quad injury in the third quarter and didn't return to the game.

The Power led 1.6 (12) to 1.4 (10) at quarter-time, but the Tigers hit the front when Sam Lloyd converted truly from right in front.

Small forward Jake Neade – a late inclusion for key defender Jack Hombsch with a knee injury – was superb with his chasing and pressure.

After wasting plenty of opportunities, goals to Sam Gray and Trengove gave the Power a 15-point lead – 5.11 (41) to 3.8 (26) – at the main break.

It wasn't pretty, but the Tigers won't care.


MEDICAL ROOM

Port Adelaide: Key defender Jack Hombsch was a late scratching with a knee injury, although it was partly a tactical switch to counter Richmond's small forward line. Half-back flanker Hamish Hartlett copped a cork to his quad in the third quarter and didn't return. "It was just a knee right into the thigh, so you'd imagine that shouldn't be too big a deal," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

Richmond: The Tigers reported a clean bill of health.

NEXT UP

Richmond aims to consolidate its spot in the top four when it takes on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium next Saturday night. The Power will attempt to win its first game against a top-eight side when it takes on West Coast at Domain Stadium next Sunday.

PORT ADELAIDE  1.6   5.11   6.14   8.15 (63)
RICHMOND           1.4   3.8   7.10   11.10 (76)

GOALS

Port Adelaide: Powell-Pepper 2, Ebert, R.Gray, S.Gray, Trengove, Neade, Dixon
Richmond:  Butler 3, Stengle 2, Cotchin, Rioli, Martin, Riewoldt, Lloyd, Short

BEST

Port Adelaide: Wingard, Ryder, Wines, Westhoff, Jonas
Richmond:  Martin, Ellis, Lambert, Butler, Rance, Grigg

INJURIES

Port Adelaide: Hartlett (corked thigh)
Richmond: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Schmitt, Ryan, Millison

Official crowd:  39,979

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2017-07-01/tigers-stake-topfour-claim

[one-eyed]

Ferocious Richmond Tigers pounce on Port Adelaide Power to crash into top four

Ashley Porter
The Age
2 July 2017

RICHMOND   
1.4   3.8   7.10   11.10   (76)
PORT ADELAIDE 
1.6   5.11   6.14   8.15 (63)

GOALS -
Richmond: Butler 3, Stengle 2, Martin, Rioli, Riewoldt, Short, Lloyd, Cotchin.
Port Adelaide: Powell-Pepper 2, Ebert, Dixon, Neade, Trengove R Gray, S Gray.

BEST -
Richmond: Martin, Lambert, Ellis, Grimes, Grigg, Nankervis.
Port Adelaide: Wingard, Ryder, Powell-Pepper, Trengove, Wines, Polec.

INJURIES Port Adelaide: Hombsch (knee) replaced in selected side by Neade; Hartlett (corked thigh).
UMPIRES Schmitt, Ryan, Mollison.
CROWD 39,979 at Adelaide Oval.

---------------------------------------------------------------

The roar of the Tigers has just got incredibly louder. Their magnificent 13-point win over Port Adelaide in their so-called "Portress"  catapulted them into the top four and believe it – they're going to be hard to beat come September.

After being totally humiliated by the Crows here two months ago, Richmond stood tall under incredible pressure and surged clear with a magnificent last-quarter effort.

It left Port still to beat a team in the top eight, and the belief Port were a walk-up start to the finals for now looks a little shaky.

With so much at stake on this result given the tightness of the top eight, this always promised to be a great contest, and Richmond and Port didn't disappoint.

There wasn't much between them – ultimately Richmond's will-to-win was just too great.

Richmond came here ready to play, right from the opening bounce, and not once did they seem to doubt their ability.

There were some superb one-on-one contests, and the tightness played a part in a low-scoring opening term with only one goal from each side – the first coming from the Tigers' Jack Riewoldt almost 17 minutes into the game.

We had Port's Robbie Gray shadowed by Kane Lambert, Jackson Trengove finding it tough escaping from the constant pressure of Alex Rance, Brad Ebert and Trent Cotchin locked constantly, and perhaps the most absorbing duel,  Ollie Wines on Dustin Martin.

Martin, with his rugged yet intelligent play on the ball, and Trengove, at centre half-forward but playing more as a tagger on Rance, emerged as stand-outs. In a rare moment, Trengove brushed off Rance like a rag-doll and goaled late in the second term.

A two goal-quarter usually signals ordinary play, but remember, this was a battle of the best two defences in the league and neither disappointed. It was simply constant pressure, and both Port and Richmond seemed focused on being patient and retaining possession. It is what you would expect with two  sides eyeing a top-four spot.

The pressure also resulted in an unusual combined half-time scoreline of 8.19 with Port missing six shots and hitting the post four times.

The resilience of both teams also delivered its share of turnovers under pressure, but of course there had to be a breaking point. Port's two goals within 67 seconds in the dying moments of the first half to give them a 15-point lead was telling. It is not normally a huge gap, but in this game where every possession was hard fought, the Tigers knew they had to find something special.

Down 16 points almost into time-on, stand up Tyson Stengle, an 18-year-old kid playing his first game. After showing poise in fleeting first-half moments he did well to find space and goal from 45 metres under extreme pressure to change the momentum in Richmond's favour. Within 54 seconds Daniel Rioli, 20, kicked a magnificent goal on the run. And then Martin ran 150 metres to win the ball and kicked a magnificent goal on the run.

They were three terrific goals given that Port seemed on the verge of taking this game by the throat, only to again release the pressure with poor kicking for goal.

The Tigers went into a torrid last term leading by two points, and with a top-four spot still very much up for grabs both teams knew the remaining 30 minutes or so could very well determine their season fete.

When Butler became the first multiple goalkicker two minutes into the last quarter to give Richmond an eight-point lead the pressure on Port intensified – the Tigers were sensing a memorable victory.

When Riewoldt took a magnificent mark and handballed to Stengle for an easy goal seven minutes in, there was a touch of excitement here – the old Tiger and the new one, and it summed up their Richmond's incredibly-focused team game in a new era. It was a great team effort, but they had some outstanding performers, especially Lambert.

Their fans probably sat at home in their loungeroom waiting for another capitulation. The Port fans here did, but as we said there is something special about this bunch of Tigers. It's called character.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/ferocious-richmond-tigers-pounce-on-port-adelaide-power-to-crash-into-top-four-20170701-gx2syr.html

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Richmond vs Port Adelaide match report
News Corp/AAP
2 July 2017

IT WAS worth so much more than just four points.

The fast-finishing Tigers pipped Port Adelaide by 13 points in a brutal battle to climb into the AFL’s top four.

The Tigers leapfrogged Port with a tenacious 11.10 (76) to 8.15 (63) triumph at Adelaide Oval, raising the hopes of its fans that this could be the year of something special.

Dustin Martin enhanced his Brownlow Medal chances with 37 disposals and a goal, while Dan Butler kicked three goals and debutant Tyson Stengle bagged two.

Importantly for the growth of the side, the win was secured without starring roles from captain Trent Cotchin and premier defender Alex Rance.

Rance was shadowed by Port’s Jackson Trengove in the first half, but overpowered his Port opponent after the main break, while Cotchin had just five disposals to halftime before he responded with another 10 and a crucial goal in the second half.

Cotchin made a beeline for Rance in the rooms during the halftime break.

Rance acknowledged the challenge Trengove presented, but it was his captain’s words that helped him shake off the mental battle.

“It was a real mental battle for me,” Rance said.

“It’s the first time I’ve had a hard, run-with role like that.

“He played it to perfection.

“He really got in my head and annoyed me and got some good rewards for it.

“He did so well.”

Richmond’s season started with five straight wins followed by four losses on the trot. The Tigers have won four of their past five and face St Kilda at Etihad Stadium next Saturday.

Cotchin praised his side’s maturity.

“We fought it out. They headed us towards the latter part of that second quarter but it shows a lot of resilience to come out on top against the odds, with a big crowd here,” he said on Fox Footy.

“But the Tiger faithful continue to show up and that’s why we love them as supporters.”

Richmond came from 16 points down late in the third quarter to overwhelm the Power, who are yet to beat a top-eight side this season.

In a high-pressure fixture, the Tigers made a decisive move from late in the third term, kicking six consecutive goals to stun Port.

Richmond’s Kane Lambert (33 touches), Brandon Ellis (29 possessions) and Shaun Grigg (26 disposals) were also prolific ball-winners.

Port’s Chad Wingard was a standout for the hosts with a career-high 39 disposals and teammates Ollie Wines (28 possessions), Jared Polec (25 touches) and Sam Powell-Pepper (24 disposals, two goals) were busy.

Defender Hamish Hartlett was also among Port’s best until suffering a corked thigh in the third term — he didn’t return.

A rugged opening set the tight tone, with neither side able to score a goal until Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt converted in the 17th minute.

Port’s Brad Ebert, who shut down Cotchin — he had just five disposals in the opening half — soon replied and at quarter-time the Power led 1.6 to 1.4.

Richmond briefly took the lead in the second stanza before Port kicked four of the next five goals — the last pair gave the home side a 15-point buffer at halftime.

Port held a 16-point break 22 minutes into the third quarter before Richmond’s match-defining burst.

The Tigers then made three decisive strikes — debutant Stengle’s first AFL major was followed by classy goals on the run from teammates Daniel Rioli and Martin and they led by two points at three quarter-time.

The visitors stretched their lead with the opening three goals of the last quarter, including another to Stengle and two from Butler, and they held on for victory.

http://www.themercury.com.au/sport/afl/alex-rance-says-trent-cotchin-is-best-captain-in-afl/news-story/d33bbfddb3496b10ba18018181faf11b

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Five talking points: Port Adelaide v Richmond

afl.com.au
2 July 2017


1. Can they keep the lid on at Punt Road after this one
Get excited Tiger fans. Coach Damien Hardwick will preach caution but Richmond circa 2017 has again shown it is made of something a little different to the Tiger sides which have collectively failed to win a final in the past 16 seasons. This was a win from the top shelf against a Port side which was up for the contest, on its home turf. The Tigers looked to be in trouble when Robbie Gray put the Power 16 points up entering time on in the third term, but then something remarkable happened. Richmond was losing the battle at the coal face to that point but stunningly turned the momentum with its willingness to get extra numbers to the contest. Suddenly the Tigers were running the ball out of stoppages and running at a besieged Port backline. Dustin Martin was once again superb and a catalyst in the turnaround, and the Tigers second-tier players had major roles in this win, with a host of players standing up.

2. Question marks remain at Port
Ken Hinkley said midweek he was growing tired of constant comment on Port’s poor record against top eight sides, but his side has not been able to silence the doubters. With this loss, Port Adelaide went to 0-5 against top eight opposition in 2017. Their only top eight scalp in 2016 was a fading North Melbourne late in the year. Port should not have dropped this one after working itself into a strong position entering time-on in the third term. The Power was 16 points up and their inability to keep their foot on Richmond’s throat raises question marks. The Tigers outworked Port at the contest for the final 40 minutes of this match and the Port fadeout was concerning. It’s been a consistent theme for the Power which has struggled to play 120 minutes against quality opposition for some time. Their want for the contest should be questioned after this.

3. Tigers win Clash of the defences
This was the clash of statistically the league’s two best defences and it was obvious for all to see as they arm wrestled in one of the lowest scoring first quarters of the season. But this clash was anything but boring. The intensity level was finals-like, with both sides restricted to a solitary first-term goal. At one end, Alex Rance marshalled the Tiger defence and chopped out attacking foray after foray. At the other, Tom Clurey competed well on Jack Riewoldt and Hamish Hartlett played loose. But the defences of both sides started with the midfields, neither of which shirked the issue. Both sides showed they can play finals level football, but Port was unable to maintain it all night. Richmond was.


4. Don’t argue Dusty marches on
Dusty Martin’s charge for the 2017 Brownlow Medal gained more momentum with another stunning performance which was crucial to Richmond’s win. Martin was the man who inspired the Tigers as they went on a stirring three-goal run late in the third term. He kicked the third of those goals, and his running power to blow off a chasing opponent and then clinically finish from the boundary 40m out was memorable. He finished with 37 disposals and broke an AFL record eight tackles. No one could lay a glove on Dusty.


5. Rance tagged but tactic fails
Anyone watching the Alex Rance-Jackson Trengove duel on Saturday night without paying attention to which way the teams were kicking would have thought Rance was the forward. Trengove played a virtual tagging role on the Richmond star and it was effective to a point but ultimately must be judged a fail. Rance finished the match with 19 disposals, which was up on his season average, and he grew in importance as the match went on and got involved in plenty of Tiger defensive transitions despite the attention from Trengove. The tactic also effectively meant Port had one less attacking option going forward. Trengove tried to lead Rance away from the football and had minimal impact. Rance still managed to help his teammates out and go third man up at important times.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-07-01/five-talking-points-port-adelaide-v-richmond

[tdy]

How good is Rance that the opposition tag a key defender. Wow I have never heard of that before. Has anyone else heard of that before?