Media articles and stats: Tigers' sweet 16 at MCG with win over Geelong

[one-eyed]

Match report: Tigers' sweet 16 at MCG

Nick Bowen
afl.com.au
Jun 17, 2018 5:53PM

GEELONG                    4.2       5.5       8.7      9.11 (65)
RICHMOND                 1.5       5.7       8.8       12.11 (83)

GOALS

Geelong: Hawkins 3, J.Selwood 2, Stanley, Parfitt, Ablett, Parsons
Richmond: Butler 2, Riewoldt 2, Castagna 2, Grigg, Caddy, Lambert, Nankervis, Martin, Rioli

BEST

Geelong: Selwood, Stewart, Stanley, Ablett, Menegola
Richmond: Edwards, Vlastuin, Grimes, Conca, Lambert, Rance, Rioli

INJURIES

Geelong: McCarthy (hamstring)
Richmond: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Foot, Rosebury, Meredith, Mollison

Official crowd: 46,423 at the MCG

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

RICHMOND has outlasted Geelong in a titanic struggle on a rain-sodden MCG on Sunday, piling on four goals to one in the final term to win by 18 points.

The Tigers led by just one point at three-quarter time after the Cats threw down the challenge to the reigning premiers by kicking three of the third term's final four goals.

But, as it has done so often in final quarters this season, the Tigers found an extra gear when it mattered.

Early goals to Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin quickly put them 13 points up and they were never seriously challenged after that, grinding their way to a 12.11 (83) to 9.11 (65) victory.

The Tigers' win put them back on top of the ladder (although second-placed West Coast has a game in hand), while it was their 16th consecutive win at the MCG, a streak that began in round 14 last year against Carlton.

Nick Vlastuin was outstanding for the Tigers across half-back, taking a game-high 11 marks in slippery conditions when other players were struggling to hold their grabs.

Shane Edwards (21 possessions and seven clearances) continued his excellent recent form through the midfield, while Dustin Martin (22 disposals, five clearances and one goal) was influential on his return from a calf injury after a slow start.

Dylan Grimes made life tough for Richmond's forwards in his typically understated way, while Kane Lambert (24 possessions and one goal) and Shaun Grigg (20 possessions and seven inside 50s) were important ball-winners for the Tigers.

The Cats' loss was their third from five games at the MCG this year and puts their top-four hopes in jeopardy.

After starting the round in fourth place, they have now slipped to fifth behind Melbourne on percentage, while Collingwood (fifth) and Port Adelaide (sixth) will have the chance to climb above them next round when the Cats have a bye.

Gary Ablett (25 possessions, seven clearances and one goal) was outstanding on the big occasion and was well supported through by the midfield by captain Joel Selwood (29 possessions, five clearances and two goals) and Mitch Duncan (22 possessions and six clearances).

Tom Stewart (24 disposals and seven rebound 50s) provided an attacking springboard in defence, while Mark Blicavs largely kept Jack Riewoldt in check and Tom Hawkins booted three goals on a difficult day for key forwards.

MEDICAL ROOM

Geelong: Tom Stewart hobbled from the ground late in the first term with a sore ankle and headed into the rooms to be assessed. The defender returned to the ground at the start of the second term and played the remainder of the game without any obvious signs of injury. Lincoln McCarthy went into the Cats' rooms late in the third term after suffering a hamstring injury and played no further part in the game.

Richmond: Jack Riewoldt came from the ground early in the third quarter under the blood rule after suffering a cut to his face but was back on the ground five minutes later.

NEXT UP

Both teams will enjoy a bye next round. The Tigers will resume in round 15 with a Thursday night clash against Sydney at Etihad Stadium, while the Cats play the Western Bulldogs at the same venue the following night.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-17/match-report-tigers-sweet-16-at-mcg

[one-eyed]

Cats can't go distance as Tigers make it sweet 16 at the 'G

By Daniel Cherny
The Age
18 June 2018

In a thriller at the MCG, Geelong's early lead was taken away from them by a strong finish by the Richmond Tigers.

Several sides have gone with Richmond for three quarters at the MCG, like the odd challenger going nine rounds with a heavyweight champion. But by Sunday night the reality was this: no side had gone the distance with the Tigers at their home ground in more than a year, even Geelong’s effort on this occasion was perhaps the most valiant of the 16 outfits that have tried and ultimately failed.

It was June 17, 2017 that Richmond last lost a game at the venue. The date was the same, but a whole year has now ticked over, and still the Tigers defend their fortress like the kind of great dynasty they can become.

Just a point ahead at the final change, Richmond won the key moments when it mattered, kicking four goals to one in the final term to secure the club’s 10th victory of the season.

That this was notionally a Cats home game will only give more ammunition to those who decry the fact the grand final will remain at the MCG for the next four decades. We won’t stop hearing about the issue any time soon, but nor will things change, no matter how much the detractors bleat.

On an afternoon typified by some questionable umpiring - suggesting that in the case of four field umpires, less may be more - Richmond’s best rose to the occasion late in the piece.

Jack Riewoldt snapped truly for the crucial first major of the last quarter, while some tenacious Trent Cotchin tackling allowed Dustin Martin to kick the next. Dan Butler and Jason Castagna were important late, and while the Tigers lost the inside 50s by nine, they made their entries count more than the Cats.

In some ways it was a strange game, as the Cats, despite their well-known ruck issues, won the centre clearances 18-6, with Rhys Stanley having one of the games of his life. Still it was not enough. Patrick Dangerfield’s lengthy stints up forward went unrewarded in terms of scoreboard impact,  his best efforts denied by Alex Rance who stood him in what was a genuine clash of AFL titans.

The Tigers wasted their early chances, notching the first four scores of the game, but all of the minor variety. The back half of the quarter was controlled by Geelong. Their dominance came on the back of outstanding work at stoppages and clever ball use in attack. Lincoln McCarthy is a player who has played far too little football but issues a reminder of his class with a perfect centring kick to Tom Hawkins, who slotted the ensuing set shot before dribbling through his second shortly before quarter time.

In between those two goals was the piece de resistance. Gary Ablett, going head to head with Martin at stoppages, won a centre clearance before getting the ball back and finishing on the run from beyond the arc. This on a day when using the footy was difficult. Rumours of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.

The tempo changed in the second term. While the Cats still held sway in clearances, the Tigers lifted their pressure and got the game back on their terms. Just two points separated the sides at the long break.

There were moments in the first half of the third term when it looked as though Richmond would run away with the game. They were beginning to find gaps on the wide arena they play so well, and kicked two goals inside five minutes to create a buffer.

After a relatively quiet first half Martin started imparting considerable influence, while Nick Vlastuin was having a field day as a loose man in defence. But Geelong persisted. The Cats still had the bulk of the inside 50s, and despite regularly being denied they found enough ways to goal to hang in the contest. Joel Selwood put through an uplifting set shot after a 50 metre penalty for a late, high hit from Vlastuin, while Hawkins got on the end of neat pass from Zach Tuohy just before the siren.

GEELONG
4.2 5.5 8.7 9.11 (65)
RICHMOND
1.5 5.7 8.8 12.11 (83)

GOALS - Geelong: Hawkins 3, J.Selwood 2, Stanley, Parfitt, Ablett, Parsons
Richmond: Butler 2, Riewoldt 2, Castagna 2, Grigg, Caddy, Lambert, Nankervis, Martin, Rioli

BEST - Geelong: Selwood, Stewart, Stanley, Ablett, Menegola
Richmond: Edwards, Vlastuin, Grimes, Conca, Lambert, Rance, Rioli

INJURIES: Geelong: McCarthy (hamstring). Richmond: Nil
Umpires: Foot, Rosebury, Meredith, Mollison
Official crowd: 46,423 at the MCG

VOTES
R. Stanley (Geel) 8
J. Selwood (Geel) 7
K. Lambert (Rich) 7
A. Rance (Rich) 7
N. Vlastuin (Rich) 7

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/cats-can-t-go-distance-as-tigers-make-it-sweet-16-at-the-g-20180617-p4zm14.html

[YellowandBlackBlood]

Cats can't go distance as Tigers make it sweet 16 at the 'G

By Daniel Cherny
The Age
18 June 2018

In a thriller at the MCG, Geelong's early lead was taken away from them by a strong finish by the Richmond Tigers.

Several sides have gone with Richmond for three quarters at the MCG, like the odd challenger going nine rounds with a heavyweight champion. But by Sunday night the reality was this: no side had gone the distance with the Tigers at their home ground in more than a year, even Geelong’s effort on this occasion was perhaps the most valiant of the 16 outfits that have tried and ultimately failed.

It was June 17, 2017 that Richmond last lost a game at the venue. The date was the same, but a whole year has now ticked over, and still the Tigers defend their fortress like the kind of great dynasty they can become.

Just a point ahead at the final change, Richmond won the key moments when it mattered, kicking four goals to one in the final term to secure the club’s 10th victory of the season.

That this was notionally a Cats home game will only give more ammunition to those who decry the fact the grand final will remain at the MCG for the next four decades. We won’t stop hearing about the issue any time soon, but nor will things change, no matter how much the detractors bleat.

On an afternoon typified by some questionable umpiring - suggesting that in the case of four field umpires, less may be more - Richmond’s best rose to the occasion late in the piece.

Jack Riewoldt snapped truly for the crucial first major of the last quarter, while some tenacious Trent Cotchin tackling allowed Dustin Martin to kick the next. Dan Butler and Jason Castagna were important late, and while the Tigers lost the inside 50s by nine, they made their entries count more than the Cats.

In some ways it was a strange game, as the Cats, despite their well-known ruck issues, won the centre clearances 18-6, with Rhys Stanley having one of the games of his life. Still it was not enough. Patrick Dangerfield’s lengthy stints up forward went unrewarded in terms of scoreboard impact,  his best efforts denied by Alex Rance who stood him in what was a genuine clash of AFL titans.

The Tigers wasted their early chances, notching the first four scores of the game, but all of the minor variety. The back half of the quarter was controlled by Geelong. Their dominance came on the back of outstanding work at stoppages and clever ball use in attack. Lincoln McCarthy is a player who has played far too little football but issues a reminder of his class with a perfect centring kick to Tom Hawkins, who slotted the ensuing set shot before dribbling through his second shortly before quarter time.

In between those two goals was the piece de resistance. Gary Ablett, going head to head with Martin at stoppages, won a centre clearance before getting the ball back and finishing on the run from beyond the arc. This on a day when using the footy was difficult. Rumours of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.

The tempo changed in the second term. While the Cats still held sway in clearances, the Tigers lifted their pressure and got the game back on their terms. Just two points separated the sides at the long break.

There were moments in the first half of the third term when it looked as though Richmond would run away with the game. They were beginning to find gaps on the wide arena they play so well, and kicked two goals inside five minutes to create a buffer.

After a relatively quiet first half Martin started imparting considerable influence, while Nick Vlastuin was having a field day as a loose man in defence. But Geelong persisted. The Cats still had the bulk of the inside 50s, and despite regularly being denied they found enough ways to goal to hang in the contest. Joel Selwood put through an uplifting set shot after a 50 metre penalty for a late, high hit from Vlastuin, while Hawkins got on the end of neat pass from Zach Tuohy just before the siren.

GEELONG
4.2 5.5 8.7 9.11 (65)
RICHMOND
1.5 5.7 8.8 12.11 (83)

GOALS - Geelong: Hawkins 3, J.Selwood 2, Stanley, Parfitt, Ablett, Parsons
Richmond: Butler 2, Riewoldt 2, Castagna 2, Grigg, Caddy, Lambert, Nankervis, Martin, Rioli

BEST - Geelong: Selwood, Stewart, Stanley, Ablett, Menegola
Richmond: Edwards, Vlastuin, Grimes, Conca, Lambert, Rance, Rioli

INJURIES: Geelong: McCarthy (hamstring). Richmond: Nil
Umpires: Foot, Rosebury, Meredith, Mollison
Official crowd: 46,423 at the MCG

VOTES
R. Stanley (Geel) 8
J. Selwood (Geel) 7
K. Lambert (Rich) 7
A. Rance (Rich) 7
N. Vlastuin (Rich) 7

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/cats-can-t-go-distance-as-tigers-make-it-sweet-16-at-the-g-20180617-p4zm14.html

Grimes >>>>> Stanley......

[Owl]

are they pooting me with those votes?  anybody would of thought they won

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Are they pooting me with the home ground thing? We also don't play all home games at the G.

[wayne]

Are they pooting me with the home ground thing? We also don't play all home games at the G.

Collingwood, Essendon, Hawks also never play at GMHBA stadium...

[one-eyed]

Richmond prove they are still the team to beat after hard-fought 18-point win over Geelong

JAY CLARK,
Herald Sun
June 18, 2018

GEELONG gave everything it had out of the midfield on Sunday.

For almost 120 minutes the Cats’ star-studded midfield dominated the ball out of the middle in a valiant attempt to win the territory battle against Richmond.

But even with Geelong’s extraordinary win in the centre square — 18 centre clearances to six — the Tigers were still too good in defence and cleaner on the rebound, chalking up their 16th consecutive victory at the MCG.

Geelong had the individual brilliance and Gary Ablett’s sizzling first half and Joel Selwood’s two incredible clutch set shot goals ensured they fought right to the end of this absorbing contest.

If we didn’t work it out already last year, these Tigers showed in the 18-point triumph that they just might be the ultimate team.

We lauded Martin for playing almost the perfect season last year, but the reality is there is no guarantee Martin would even be in the top-three players in the Tigers’ best and fairest count so far this season.

There is so much evenness through this Richmond group and Jack Riewoldt is playing as selflessly as ever as the sole key forward target.

There was one of the plays of the year from Daniel Rioli in his first game back since hurting his foot in last year’s stunning Grand Final win.

Rioli tracked the ball cleverly along the wing, laid a desperate tackle inside 50m and then goaled in the pressure-cooker last term.

He had 12 disposals and a personal-best eight tackles, all in his first game back for Richmond’s fourth amigo small forward. What a big tick.

Second-year foot soldier Jack Graham laid a career-high 13 tackles.

We keep saying how even this season is and that anyone can win it, but as Richmond heads into its bye this weekend it is clear the yellow and black are still, surely, the team to beat.

They have the thirst for winning, which is perhaps unsurprising for a club which has been down so long.

Especially when you consider the decider will be played here, at the ‘G, where they are one win away from the longest winning streak of all-time at the home of football.

They own the MGG, and haven’t lost here for one year exactly.

Perhaps it’s a glowing endorsement of senior coach Damien Hardwick and his merry band of assistants.

Because at the end of the day, it was their selflessness and system, and their pressure and speed at ground level on a wet day at the MCG which was the difference against Geelong.

Ablett lined up on Dustin Martin in the first term and the Tigers’ superstar opened the superstar match-up with some physical fireworks, thundering the tip of his elbow into Ablett’s chest at the starting bounce.

But while Ablett took the points before half time, Martin kicked the sealer with another clever snap after a trademark desperate effort from Trent Cotchin at the bounce.

Geelong had been ranked last in the competition for centre clearances this year but they produced arguably their best effort of the season to win the ball out of the middle.

But they lacked polish, producing a season-worst 43 per cent efficiency. That was the big knock.

However, somewhat remarkably, even without gun defender David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, Nick Vlastuin and Alex Rance ensured the Tiger defence absorbed the blows like a heavyweight boxer, who came off the ropes and counterattacked with more precision and speed than the Cats.

Vlastuin’s third term was outstanding as the Cats kept throwing the punches with 20 entries inside forward 50m for the term.

Grimes has conceded only five goals from the first 11 games and for all the talk about Tom Stewart being All-Australian, Grimes is another who probably doesn’t get as much recognition as he has deserved.

And Shane Edwards, whose reputation is deservedly growing this season, was so clean in tough conditions.

If last year was about Martin, the premiership defence is about Richmond’s lesser lights.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/richmond-prove-they-are-still-the-team-to-beat-after-hardfought-18point-win-over-geelong/news-story/c0c1bb78db598589ca4d7251894ed2d4

[Lozza]

With Dusty not reaching the dizzy heights of last season it makes our efforts this season so much more satisfying. I think we are a better overall team unit than we were and dont need a superstar to win us games, his flashes of brilliance at times certainly help our cause.

Its the lesser lights as mentioned who are playing their roles so well. The VFL side doing so well also placing pressure on places means every player has to earn his spot in the side each week (although some would argue some players are a protected species  ).

Just have to add a special mention re the efforts of Jack Graham and Rioli, great to watch and the determination of both is a wonder to behold and provides confidence that the future of the club is in good hands.