VFL R10: Richmond vs Williamstown @ Downer Oval, Sun. June 20

[Francois Jackson]

Great finish, but parker that was rubbish

Wasn't a great set shot when he was with the Saints

well then the VFL is where he should stay.

we have some ordinary talent in the VFL that must go.

[Diocletian]

He'd be an upgrade on Cantkickit at least and probably even Caddy at this stage as well but that's about it....as I said. can't see him fixing our problems as he looks to have many of the same flaws that have plagued our side this year....he certainly won't help us address the free kick differential for one....

[one-eyed]

VFL: Tigers and Seagulls can't be split

By Brenton Mann
AFL Media
20 June 2021

It took 637 days, but in Round 10 of the 2021 season, fans finally got to witness the rematch of the 2019 VFL Grand Final.

On that day, Richmond and Williamstown played out one of the more pulsating and drama-filled deciders in recent memory, with the Tigers surviving two late shots on goal to clinch the 2019 premiership by three points.

The climax to the sequel was just as intense as the original, with Richmond and Williamstown fighting out a draw.

The Seagulls’, Mitch Hibberd set sail for goal as the final siren sounded, but the ball was spoiled dead on the goal line by quick-thinking Tiger, Garret McDonagh.

The ball trickled back into the field of play, the goal umpire signalled dead ball and packed up his flags.

Williamstown pushed the younger Richmond outfit to the limit, the final score reading, the Seagulls, 11.8 (74) to the Tigers, 10.14 (74).

Downer Oval, more affectionately known as Point Gellibrand, is nestled on the shores of Port Phillip Bay and in the depths of winter, can be at the mercy of the elements.

As one of the most picturesque grounds in Victorian football, it shone on a sparkling June afternoon as the Seagulls and Tigers reacquainted themselves after an extended absence.

After waiting 21 months to resume pleasantries, it took until nearly time-on in the opening term for the first goal to be scored.

Richmond had done will to lock the ball in its front-half for the majority of the first quarter before Williamstown used its wits and nous to slingshot the ball from its defensive half and score a goal on turnover.

The Seagulls kicked three goals in the blink of an eye, skating to a handy 15-point lead.

Marlion Pickett brought his form from AFL to the second tier, accumulating the ball and using it to advantage forward of centre in the opening term.

Pickett collected the ball on the forward flank and drove it to the teeth of goal where Ryan Garthwaite provided a strong aerial contest, bringing the ball to ground for Lachlan Street to crumb and goal.

Shortly after, Garthwaite jagged his own goal by teaming with ruckman, Samson Ryan.

At a forward 50 stoppage, Ryan fended off his opponent and palmed the ball into the path of Garthwaite who gathered and wobbled through a left-foot snapping goal.

The Tigers swung the momentum back in their favour before the Seagulls kicked a goal in the shadows of quarter-time, extending their lead to eight points.

The physicality increased in the second term, with the more seasoned Williamstown capitalising with back-to-back goals, pushing its lead to 20 points.

The Tigers were being tested mentally as the Seagulls capitalised.

Richmond steeled itself and got the game back on its terms in the back-end of the second term, with Garthwaite lighting the fire with his second goal.

Riley Collier-Dawkins then fuelled the growing wave of momentum as he extracted the ball from congestion and let fly off a step from the paint of 50, with the ball sailing through and hitting the fence behind the goals on the full.

Williamstown then hit back against the flow before Thomson Dow lifted the spirits of his team with a goal after the half-time siren, his first as a Tiger.

Derek Eggmolesse-Smith upped the intensity early in the third term after trapping a Seagulls defender in a bear hug and being justly rewarded with a free-kick inside 50.

The dashing half-back flanker nailed the goal and was flocked by his teammates.

The Seagulls reinstated their buffer with back-to-back goals before Ryan and Garthwaite then teamed well once again.

Deep inside 50, Garthwaite cleared a path for Ryan to ghost in front of the pack and drag down a strong contested mark.

The budding tall slotted his set-shot and the Tigers were on a serious march.

Patrick Naish reaffirmed that march after drifting forward and clunking a strong mark on the lead, converting the subsequent set shot.

The Tigers were within two points and beginning to roar.

However, Williamstown again kicked a goal via a free-kick off the ball as it tested the resolve and patience of its young opponent.

The Seagulls led by seven points at the final change, which set up a classic finish.

Naish levelled the scores early in the last quarter with a booming set shot from a slither beyond the arc and the belief of the Tigers started to swell.

Garthwaite then handed Richmond the lead for the first time since the 16-minute mark of the first quarter and the swelling belief was starting to bubble over.

A contest that had a bevy of momentum swings had another twist when Seagull Adam Marcon squared the scores midway through the final term.

The ball lived in Richmond’s forward 50 for a large chunk of time following Marcon’s goal, however, the Tigers struggled to convert.

The Seagulls then swung the territory battle in their favour and eventually drew a free kick, setting up the final shot on goal.

Games don’t get much closer than that, and much will be learnt from the result moving into the second half of the year.

WILL   4.2   7.5   10.6   11.8 (74)
RICH   2.6  5.10   8.11  10.14 (74)

Goals:
RICH: Garthwaite (3), Naish (2), Eggmolesse-Smith (1), Ryan (1), Street (1), Collier-Dawkins (1), Dow (1)

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/961615/vfl-tigers-and-seagulls-can-t-be-split

[one-eyed]

Here's the link to the full match replay: https://7plus.com.au/sevens-vfl?episode-id=VAFL21-013


VFL coach Xavier Clarke post-match: https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/961752/vfl-r10-clarke-post-match

[The Machine]

Only watched the first quarter so far but Ryan looks very good. Stack, Pickett, Mansell, Dan all started well. One of Naish's kicks was insanely good!

[MintOnLamb]

Parker’s style of play cost a lot of free kicks

[Andyy]

Parker’s style of play cost a lot of free kicks

Haven't watched it. Is he too rough? Holding a lot etc?

[WilliamPowell]

One of Naish's kicks was insanely good!

1 insanely good

But the majority of the others prior to the final quarter were anything but 

Turnover king in until 5 minutes into the final qtr

[MintOnLamb]

Parker’s style of play cost a lot of free kicks

Haven't watched it. Is he too rough? Holding a lot etc?

Chatty, annoying, most of his tackles were too high, if we could rein him in a bit, good

[Diocletian]

Perfect summary of Parker from another board:

Parker - he is a real energy guy and looks to be the type of players his teammates will enjoy playing with - but he does lack effectiveness for mine. 10 tackles, but how many of them created a turnover & how many times did he give a free kick away with a lack of discipline with that tackling? had 8 or so I50's, but how many resulted in goals? Had a few shots on goal, but how many of them went through the big sticks. Does not look likely to get a call up straight to seniors for me, but i did like his energy

..mind you, same poster also declared Naish bog....

[The Machine]

Just watched the second quarter. Naish butchered the ball for the 30 minutes. Pickett played a great first half. Love big Ryan. RCD solid as is Parker. D Rioli played a great first half- although I'm yet to watch the second half, me thinks he just cops a baking from the usual crew. MRJ quiet thus far. Mansell is tough and skilful. Can't discuss the umps
Parker plays like Pickett and gives away similar frees. The opposition love to drop the knees and lead with the shoulders when getting tackled- duckwood from Geelong does this crap and has done his whole overrated career.

[one-eyed]

Richmond VFL playing coach Steve Morris's summary of how the Tigers’ players performed in last Sunday's Round 10 draw with Williamstown:

Patrick Naish (26 disposals, 12 marks, six rebound-50s, two goals)

"Patrick played on a wing on the weekend after seeing a little bit more time across half-back and half-forward in previous weeks. He provided a great outlet option for us all day. The number one thing the stood out was his composure, which was highlighted a number of times under pressure late in the game. Good to see him also hit the scoreboard."

William Martyn (25 disposals, seven clearances, three inside-50s)

"Will is progressing really nicely as an inside-mid. Once again on the weekend, he was faced with experienced opponents and acquitted himself well in and around the stoppages, highlighted by his seven clearances."

Riley Collier-Dawkins (24 disposals, six clearances, one goal)

"Riley came back to VFL level and performed really well once again. He won plenty of the footy for us and really backs his strength in the contest. Finding a better balance of when to take the game on and when to release will see him further develop his game."

Jack Ross (19 disposals, six marks, six tackles, six inside-50s)

"Jack has been set the challenge of developing the defensive side of his game across half-back whilst also utilising his work rate to assist our offensive ball movement. He worked hard up and down the ground and often drove the footy inside-50 for us, with a couple of trademark bone-crunching tackles."

Matthew Parker (19 disposals, seven marks, 11 tackles, nine inside-50s)

"A really pleasing first outing for 'MP'. He spent a lot of time around the footy and his speed was on show numerous times throughout the day. He will gain a better understanding of the way we play over the coming weeks and whilst he would be disappointed not to finish his work in front of goals, his on-field communication was also something we were really pleased with."

Daniel Rioli (17 disposals, three clearances)

"Daniel started like a house on fire, with the ball on a string in the early part of the game. He faded out of the game a little in the second half, but things happened when he had the footy in hand. It was good to see him gain more midfield experience."

Rhyan Mansell (17 disposals, five tackles, four rebound-50s)

"Like a number of our backs, he was probably slightly down in the first half but bounced back really well in the second half. He was very physical and he looked a lot more switched on with his starting points. He’s missed a fair bit of footy of late so we're looking forward to seeing him carrying the momentum he built up into next week."

Sydney Stack (17 disposals, seven marks, four tackles)

"The highlight of his day was no doubt the hanger he took intercepting the footy at half-forward. Having said that, he really set the standard with second and third efforts throughout the day. Playing a different role across half-back on the weekend, he won plenty of the footy and it was great to see the way he approached the game."

Marlion Pickett (17 disposals, seven tackles, six inside-50s)

"Like a few others, Marlion played a different role with a lot of time spent up forward. When he was in and around the footy, he showed his class but it’s also important that he gains an understanding of a couple of different roles that he may be required to play."

Hugo Ralphsmith (16 disposals, seven inside-50s)

"Hugo was a little quieter on the weekend, but there were some extremely exciting passages of play when he used his blistering pace to burn off the opposition. His work rate is always high and he often drove the ball inside 50 for us."

Thomson Dow (15 disposals, four inside-50s, one goal)

"Thomson didn’t spend quite as much time as he has previously in and around the footy. Whilst he may have been disappointed with not finding quite as much of the footy, it’s really important for his long-term development to understand different roles. He’s in really good form and his work in traffic stood out once again."

Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (15 disposals, three rebound-50s, one goal)

"Derek spent a little more time on a wing, whilst also rotating through half-back. Gaining a better understanding of the wing role will also help him when he plays across half-back so he can provide better direction. We like seeing the ball in his hands as he is a good decision-maker."

Ryan Garthwaite (12 disposals, three goals, five marks)

"'Garthy' provided a really good focal point for us up forward. Kicked three goals which was pleasing, but his ability to compete when outnumbered by Williamstown players getting behind the footy was outstanding. Our ball use inside 50 probably hindered him from hitting the scoreboard more heavily."

Ben Miller (12 disposals, four marks, four rebound-50s)

"Ben was solid. It was pleasing to see him really crash a couple of contests with big spoils, something that has been a real focus for him. He continues to provide great leadership and direction down back and is hungry to improve."

Noah Cumberland (10 disposals, three marks)

"Noah worked his backside off on the weekend and hit the contest hard as always. He’s still looking to gain some consistency after his long injury lay-off. He found himself with the ball in hand in some good spots but just lacked some polish, so that’s something he’ll be focusing on as well as awareness of structures."

Samson Ryan (nine disposals, 30 hit-outs, one goal)

"The big fella had his work cut out against a really experienced ruckman on the weekend without 'Marbs' and 'CJ' alongside him. It was a great opportunity for him to gain experience and grow as a player. He competed hard as highlighted by his 30 hit-outs, but will be working on his technique in the contest after giving away a few free kicks."

Maurice Rioli Jnr (nine disposals, seven tackles)

"Maurice imposed himself on the game in the last quarter with a number of chase-down tackles and relentless pressure. He’s a very exciting player who will gain benefit from the experience of having to fight to find a way to impact the game in different ways."

Bigoa Nuyon (four disposals, two tackles)

"'Biggy' was a little quieter than usual on the weekend in his first game back from injury. He was pretty sore in the second half and didn't finish the game."

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/962772/