Heartbreak for VFL Tigers richmondfc.com.au
24 September 2017The VFL Tigers endured a heartbreaking end to the 2017 season on Sunday, going down to Port Melbourne by four points in the VFL Grand Final.
In a match that see-sawed all day long, the VFL Tigers held a 13-point lead midway through the final term, but the Borough managed to fight back and take the lead as the clock ticked down.
The pressure then came to a crescendo when Ben Lennon marked outside 50, and the siren blew with Port Melbourne five points ahead.
Lennon’s effort faded right at the eleventh hour, with the result falling Port Melbourne's way.
Not all Tigers went without reward, however, with Sam Lloyd winning the Norm Goss Memorial Medal thanks to a 35 disposal, 10 clearances, nine tackle and one-goal performance.
Lloyd gave credit to the victorious Borough, while acknowledging the efforts of his teammates throughout a tumultuous season.
“To Port Melbourne, fantastic game boys, you really deserve it,” Lloyd said.
“To our boys, we tried our hardest...
“To our supporters and the seniors, thanks for coming to support us.”
Riding the wave of momentum of the AFL side’s preliminary final win on Saturday, the VFL Tigers came flying out of the gates in the first quarter, and were buoyed by a star showing from Shai Bolton.
The speedster was on hand to nail the game’s first goal after being found by Callum Moore, and added one more seconds later after bursting out from the centre and kicking truly from outside the arc.
After Port answered back quickly, Bolton added one more party-piece to end the quarter, shimmying his way around a Port defender on a tight angle and centering the ball for Ben Griffiths, who converted from close range.
However, even with a strong first quarter showing under their belt, the VFL Tigers had to defend valiantly throughout the second quarter as the Borough starting piling on the pressure.
Batchelor and Ryan Garthwaite were working overtime, repelling wave after wave of attack, receiving ample support from Reece Conca and a resurgent Corey Ellis.
Griffiths and Bolton were trying to increase the scoreboard pressure at the other end, however, an inspired Port defence managed to keep the VFL Tigers goalless throughout the quarter.
Shaun Hampson continued to boast aerial dominance throughout the game, taking a series of marks around the ground and providing a target for the side’s disposal experts.
Knowing Port would again attack the contest with ferocity in the third stanza, Connor Menadue bought his best to the fore, nailing two goals in an attempt to win some much-needed breathing space.
However, Port simply wouldn’t go away, and managed to keep themselves in the game by three-quarter time, trailing by only two points.
In a final term that reflected the intensity of the match, Lloyd kicked his first of the day with a monstrous effort from beyond the arc, before Lennon mirrored his efforts with a composed set shot from similar range.
After Port answered back again, Lloyd worked hard to create a turnover in Port’s defensive 50, Shaun Mannagh making the most of the chance with a crafty snap and goal.
However, three quick-fire goals to the Borough turned the match on it’s head, and suddenly, the VFL Tigers faced a difficult test to regain the ascendancy.
After relentless waves of attack, Lennon finally found himself with an opportunity from long range, and though the distance did not trouble the VFL Tigers’ leading goal kicker for 2017, the effort carried wide of the target, leaving the Tigers on the wrong side of a remarkable Grand Final.
Alongside Lloyd; Bolton, Hampson and Batchelor were among the finest performers for the VFL Tigers on the day.
Plaudits also went to Griffiths, who overcame an injury scare in the third quarter to finish as the side’s leading goal kicker with three majors.
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2017-09-24/heartbreak-for-vfl-tigers
