VFL R9: Richmond vs Essendon @ the MCG [curtain-raiser]

[Rampsation]

Cumberland in some form kicking goals selfish or not deserves a chance

I disagree. I saw him today. He needs to become more of a  team player. Selflessness in teams leads to success. He isnt showing that enough.

[camboon]

I have been told he has been directed to kick for goal and not to pass unless someone is on their own. Who’s our key forwards that can out mark the opposition in the twos anyway.

[one-eyed]

VFL Tigers embrace the grind with Dreamtime win

Richmond bounced back to the winners' list, by grinding out a 33-point win over the Essendon at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

By Brenton Mann
Richmond Media
21 May 2022 7pm

“Let’s be proud of the way we play.”

That was coach Steve Morris’ lasting message to the VFL Tigers in preparation for their Dreamtime at the ‘G clash with Essendon.

Richmond bounced back from its loss to Box Hill last week, by grinding out a 33-point win over the Bombers.

Hugo Ralphsmith was awarded the Sir Doug Nicholls Award for best afield as the Tigers held Essendon at bay, with the final score reading, 10.19 (79) to 6.10 (46).

“Be aggressive, explosive and crack in.”

That’s what Sydney Stack wanted to see from his brethren.

Stack embodied his pre-game plea, applying bone-jarring tackles, producing gut-busting runs and jagging three classy goals, two to kick-off the last quarter, which helped lift his side to victory.

The defensive intent of the Tigers was there for all to see from the outset.

The gliding gait of Ralphsmith across the hallowed turf of the MCG was a main feature of the opening term as Richmond injected speed into the game at will.

Thomson Dow and Riley Collier-Dawkins were stiff in the contest and prolific between the arcs, whilst Ben Miller, Bigoa Nyuon and Tom Brown were staunch backward of centre.

Miller was back to his imperious best at this level, showing superiority in the air and creativity with ball in hand.

Nyuon had a tricky first half coming back from his AFL debut but plied his trade in the second half in the manner we have become accustomed to in 2022.

The defensive trio were handsomely support by the grunt and bounce of Will Martyn and Massimo D’Ambrosio who quelled their opponents and then repelled with conviction.

D’Ambrosio’s pure ball handling and adventurous disposal assisted the Tigers with getting speed on the ball and rebounding with venom from the back-half.

Sam Tucker got the Tigers off on the right foot with his debut goal on the ‘G before Noah Cumberland added to his 2022 goal tally with a snap from congestion.

Samson Ryan built on his strong return to the side last week by providing a strong aerial contest inside forward 50.

Ryan was rewarded with a free-kick and subsequent goal.

Stack then showcased his defensive engagement by grasping a forward-50 intercept, he shaped to pass, was called to play on, stepped the man on the mark and nailed his first goal.

Richmond skated to an early four-goal lead and was sticking true to its touch-points spoken about pre-game.

The Tigers were able to stifle and stimy the Bombers ball movement in the opening term which unfortunately did not carry into the second term.

Essendon was able to fight through Richmond’s defensive layers and find players free forward of centre.

The speed and fluency in which the Tigers moved the ball in the first quarter slight dissipated and the Bombers were able to capitalise on the turnover.

Richmond needed a flicker, with Ralphsmith and Sam Banks happy to oblige.

The Tigers won the ball back deep in their defensive 50 with Nyuon spotting Banks free on the paint of 50.

Banks put his head down as Ralphsmith sidled up alongside the wingman to ride shotgun before receiving and sharp handball.

Ralphsmith caressed the ball into the waiting hands of Cumberland who coolly slotted his second goal of the game on the stroke of half-time.

Richmond took a 20-point buffer into the main break after the Bombers got themselves back into the game in the second term.

The third quarter replicated the second, with both sides applying manic pressure around the ball, but struggled to cap off their good work on the scoreboard.

Judson Clarke seemed about as at home on the ‘G as anyone, as the nippy and electric half forward leant on his strengths to kick one of the goals of the game in the third term.

Clarke gathered the ball at half forward, looked back at the defender on his hammer, kicked it up a gear and snapped truly on his left.

Richmond’s only goal in the third term would have whet the appetite for the Tiger Army and was a glimpse into the future of viewing Clarke on this very ground for years to come.

The Tigers hunt at the man and ball was a feature of their third quarter, as they were able create turnovers and gain territory.

The main issue was converting that territory gain into scoreboard pressure which changed at the beginning of the last quarter courtesy of Stack.

Stack’s first goal was a result of Richmond remaining connected in transition and committed at the contest, his second was born from sheer brilliance.

The right-foot banana at the Ponsford Stand end sealed the win on a special night for Stack and the Richmond brotherhood.

RICH   4.5       5.11     6.15     10.19 (79)
ESS     1.1       3.3       5.6       6.10 (46)

Goalkickers:
Richmond: Stack (3), Cumberland (3), Clarke, Ryan, Tucker, Sexton

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1131712/vfl-tigers-embrace-the-grind-with-dreamtime-win

[Tigeritis™©®]

RCD had to Ruck half the game to give Ryan a chop out and by the looks of it did better than Ryan.

Not sure why we haven’t got a top up ruck or forward from somewhere to assist us. 

D’Ambrosio was very good off half back and it’s great to see we have another half back flanker  but he and ralphsmith were very good.
Parker was lively but his kicking was terrible and he pretty much turned it over every time he kicked it.

Stack and Cumberland were good up forward.

Sonsie was quiet. Interestingly Mansell was used up forward with the inclusion of D’Ambrosio who was very good across half back.

I thought Miller was excellent wasn’t beaten expect twice by the stupid umpires and his kicking is elite.

[pmac21]

Not sure if Mate Colina exists but he might add some ruck depth.

[1965]

Not sure if Mate Colina exists but he might add some ruck depth.

Due mid June according to MT.

[Dont Argue]

He’s in Melbourne.
Was watching at the game Saturday

[one-eyed]

Richmond VFL coach Steve Morris provides a summary of how the Tigers’ players performed in Saturday's Round  9 Dreamtime win over Essendon at the MCG.

Hugo Ralphsmith (28 disposals, seven inside-50s, four marks, three rebound-50s)

"Had a really good offensive game. His defence was solid, but it really was his run off half-back that stood out. He used the ball reasonably well on the day."


Matt Parker (24 disposals, nine marks, six rebound-50s)

"Worked his backside off to help us out in defence. He probably would have liked to have been a little bit more efficient with the football, but he was a big help to our back six."


Thomson Dow (23 disposals, four inside-50s, four marks, four clearances)

"Looked a level above around stoppage. His body work was first-class and his clearance numbers and pressure around the stoppage continue to impress."


Will Martyn (19 disposals, six marks, six rebound-50s)

"Had a sensation game, both his aerial contest and ability to compete were outstanding. He's really progressing nicely as a high half-back."


Riley Collier-Dawkins (18 disposals, six tackles, four clearances)

"I thought he competed really well all day. We're starting to see his explosive power more regularly out of stoppage and out of contest and he's in a good patch of form."


Tom Brown (18 disposals, four marks, four inside-50s)

"Really pleased with Tom's improvement after a quiet one the week before. He certainly looked a lot more confident and we want the ball in his hands as he's a good decision-maker and user of the football."


Ben Miller (18 disposals, seven marks, three tackles)

"Outstanding game. Aerially, he was fantastic with 12 possession gains which was huge, and he's a good user of the footy out of our backline."


Sydney Stack (17 disposals, five inside-50s, three goals)

"He had a good game on Saturday in a really important game for him and our Club. His ability to hit the scoreboard but also compete was a real highlight."


Noah Cumberland (16 disposals, six marks, four inside-50s, three goals)

"Continues to hit the scoreboard hard. He probably could have finished with a couple more (goals) but probably could have passed a couple off as well. We'll look for improvement but we also understand that he's in great form in front of the goals."


Sam Banks (16 disposals, five marks, five inside-50s)

"I thought the MCG really suited him. He could have been used a hell of a lot more than he was, but it was just one of those days for Sam. He looked good when he had the footy."


Rhyan Mansell (14 disposals, eight marks, two tackles)

"Moved up forward and I thought he played his role really well. He probably should have ended up with two goals which would have been a good return, but it was a really good start and we certainly saw his trademark fight up forward."


Judson Clarke (13 disposals, five marks, one goal)

"Kicked one of the better goals you'll see at VFL level. He really does stand out with his ball use and composure, and he continues to develop into a very good player."


Tyler Sonsie (12 disposals, two clearances)

"After a quiet week last week, Tyler had challenges throughout the match. Rarely would you see a first-year player play to the level of footy that he has this year, and I think the last couple of weeks will be really great for his long-term development."


Samson Ryan (10 disposals, two inside-50s, one goal)

"Battled his backside off. He did a great job in the air and probably was stiff not to get a few more free kicks, and as a result would have hit the scoreboard even more than he did."


Bigoa Nyuon (10 disposals, four marks, three rebound-50s)

"I thought he was solid without being a standout. Certainly the highlight of his game were a couple of big spoils which cleared the first line of the opposition."

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1134255/

[The Machine]

Cumberland in some form kicking goals selfish or not deserves a chance

I disagree. I saw him today. He needs to become more of a  team player. Selflessness in teams leads to success. He isnt showing that enough.

Yep- read the report on him from Morris. Says everything