VFL Finals 2017: Richmond defeats Collingwood, Chris Mayne performance, Sam Lloyd starsSeptember 2, 2017 5:28pm
by Riley Beveridge and Tom Morris
FOX SPORTSIT WAS almost Bizarro World in the VFL on Saturday, with Richmond holding its nerve in a final and Chris Mayne nearly the hero for Collingwood.
Having led by 23 points at the 17-minute mark of the final quarter, the Tigers looked all but home in their elimination final at Fortburn Stadium in Port Melbourne.
But then the script changed dramatically.
Maligned forward Chris Mayne and ferocious midfielder Gus Borthwick were the catalysts behind a sudden and remarkable Magpies comeback.
Mayne kicked two quick goals, with Josh Thomas and Josh Daicos also hitting the scoreboard as Collingwood booted four majors in four-and-a-half minutes.
All of a sudden, they were in front. And those predicting another Richmond choke in September were ready to start celebrating their first correct tips for the finals series.
But up stepped Sam Lloyd. A clutch goal broke a run of four behinds that he’d kicked for the match, as he ended with 33 disposals and 23 contested possessions.
“I was a bit yippy in front of goals in the first quarter,” Lloyd told Channel 7 afterwards.
“I couldn’t really judge the wind. It was a bit funny. I kicked the last one when it mattered and it is a good feeling to go through.
“Credit to us, we are a strong team. We came out well.”
Mayne had the chance to bring Collingwood back into the match and reduce the margin to a solitary point with seconds remaining, but missed what would have been his third for the term.
Jake Batchelor kicked the sealer, with Richmond winning by 12 points and setting up a semi final against Casey, after Melbourne’s VFL affiliate lost to Williamstown in the qualifying final.
Hard-nosed Richmond midfielder Anthony Miles also pushed his case for a senior return ahead of the finals, with 35 disposals, nine clearances, five tackles and a goal.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/richmond-holds-off-late-collingwood-comeback-to-secure-thrilling-vfl-elimination-final-win/news-story/5fd5f552c89e4f632b8fd11265316619