Richmond vs W.Bulldogs @ the MCG --- Round 4, 2022

[one-eyed]

Pressure Tigers back in business

By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
11 April 2022

Key forward Tom Lynch said a focus had been getting back to their high-pressure form after dropping two games in the opening three rounds.

"They've been a great side for a long period of time and we knew we had to be at our best to try and match them. We focused on bringing that pressure as they've got elite ball-users all over the ground. At times they got away from us but we stuck at it and managed to turn it our way," Lynch told AFL.com.au.

The Tigers set up a 24-point lead at three-quarter time against the Dogs and were no chance of letting it slip after final-quarter fadeouts against Carlton in round one and St Kilda in round three.

"Last week and round one we played some pretty good footy, three quarters we felt like, and we dropped away in the last quarters when the opposition got a hold of us and we didn't capitalise on our opportunities, which was the game.

"We spoke about it during the week that we were playing OK footy, we weren't playing as bad as the results were but we lost to two good teams in St Kilda and Carlton so we knew we'd played some pretty good opposition," Lynch said.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/740589/pressure-tigers-back-in-business-set-for-major-defensive-boost

[one-eyed]

Coaches votes (Hardwick & Beveridge)

Richmond v Western Bulldogs

10 Shai Bolton (RICH)
6 Jayden Short (RICH)
5 Bailey Smith (WB)
4 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
2 Marlion Pickett (RICH)
2 Tom J Lynch (RICH)
1 Bailey Dale (WB)

https://www.afl.com.au/news/740577/coaches-votes-r4-premiership-eagle-takes-flight-10s-galore

[one-eyed]

Foxsports' Power Rankings:

7. RICHMOND (2-2, 104.5%)

Last week’s ranking: 10

The margin flattered the Tigers slightly but Saturday night’s exciting win over the Bulldogs was still a massive tick for this group, suggesting there’s plenty of fight in the AFL’s most recent dynasty side. Going equal in the contested possession count with the Dogs’ powerful midfield group is a positive sign. We’re still waiting to see some level of consistency before getting back on the Richmond bandwagon - after all, this was just their fourth win in their last 14 games - but in a year with an enormous middle class, this group is certainly good enough to return to the finals.

On Champion Data’s Expected Score, the margin should’ve been six goals closer (Tigers 80, Bulldogs 78), so the Dogs were unlucky in both directions.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2022-power-rankings-after-round-4-analysis-every-club-ranked-reaction-wrap-ladder-top-eight-predictions/news-story/e0841ca49ad4f43bd6303b62f6ed9428