VFL Tigers held at bay by SwansBy Brenton Mann
Richmond Media
27 May 2022Richmond has been an infrequent flyer whilst being part of the current make-up of the VFL, but the Tigers jetted north to the Harbour City to take on the Swans.
The clash was staged on Gadigal Country at Lakeside Oval, just a drop punt away from the Sydney Cricket Ground.
In an energy-sapping game, Richmond held the lead at the early stages of the final term, only for the Swans to snatch it back and hold on for a four-point win.
Sydney was wide of the mark multiple times in front of goal, but held its nerve when it mattered most, the final score line, 9.19 (73) to 10.9 (69).
The glaring sun made it tough for onlookers both on location and abroad, however Tyler Sonsie had no issues viewing the Sherrin, cutting off Sydney on the rebound and converting his set-shot for the opening goal of the game.
Sonsie plucked a second forward-half turnover in the first quarter which signals intent in the improvement of the defensive aspects of his game and how he fits into the Tigers’ system.
The Swans bounced back swiftly by pinning Richmond in its back half and cashing in on the scoreboard.
Sydney was aided in their endeavour to gain repeat inside 50s by the Tigers’ sloppy disposal at times, but the home team’s inaccuracy in front of goal meant that it couldn’t inflict maximum damage on the scoreboard.
Tom Brown had a spike in performance in last week’s win against Essendon and showcased his penetration by foot with a 50-metre bullet, that was grasped on the lead by Noah Cumberland.
Cumberland, an emergency for the AFL clash with Sydney, roosted home his first major, showing an air of confidence as he looks to be on the cusp of a senior debut.
Rhyan Mansell was denied a goal on the MCG last week but made up for it with a ball-busting major from beyond the arc, following some slick transition through the corridor.
Richmond undid its great work in winning the ball back by coughing it up to Sydney via sloppy skill execution, with the Swans continually peppering the goals.
Luckily for the Tigers, they remained in the hunt.
Brown recorded his second direct goal assist of the first half when he weighted a ball perfectly into the arms of Bailey Henderson who made a cutting run into the corridor to snap his first goal.
Matthew Parker then took two or three attempts to soccer through a goal from half a metre out, cutting the margin to just three points as Richmond started to show venom in transition.
Some slick ball movement then saw Samson Ryan mark strongly on the paint of 50, with Ryan swivelling sharply on his left boot to put the ball to the advantage of Mansell who found space 15 metres out.
Mansell was awarded a free-kick but unfortunately sprayed his set-shot, which would have handed Richmond the lead.
Sydney goaled in the shadows of half-time, pushing its lead back out to eight points.
Bigoa Nyuon packed his best form in his carry-on as he fought out an intriguing duel with Swan, Joel Amartey.
Nyuon versus Amartey was an athletic purists’ delight, with the Tiger backing in his strengths to get on top of his opponent and taking the points.
Following his AFL debut against the Hawks, Nyuon seems to have a greater understanding of his role and is now playing with enhanced conviction.
The Tigers were swift in making their move in the third quarter, with Parker curling home a beauty, his second goal, which was bettered by Judson Clarke shortly after.
Clarke showed a clean pair of heels, skating back onto a loose ball which he flung his left boot at and watched it sail over the goal umpire’s hat.
The goal handed Richmond back the lead before the Swans grabbed it back.
Cam Olden’s first disposal of the game was a timely one, as he snapped through a goal which saw the Tigers edge clear once again.
The Swans were able to slice Richmond’s lead to just one point before Samson Ryan and Thomson Dow combined for the Tigers’ final goal of the third term.
Dow was positioned with his chest facing the goals at a forward-50 stoppage, as Ryan caressed the ball into his path, the midfielder hitting the ball at speed and snapping the goal on his left.
It was a near perfect ruck/rover crafted goal. The Richmond midfielders rolled up their sleeves in the third term, with Riley Collier-Dawkins, Jake Aarts and Dow all exerting their influence on the contest.
The silky Swans were shaken by the grunt of the Tiger onballers and turned the ball over which opened the door for Richmond.
The major put Richmond a goal up with three-quarter-time on the horizon, but unfortunately, Sydney goaled after the siren to level up the scores.
Richmond found pep in its step in the last quarter, scooting the ball coast-to-coast from the kick-in, as Henderson skidded through his second major.
The seesaw was not done rocking however, as Sydney kicked the last goal of the game and clung to their four-point lead until the final siren sounded.
SYD 3.5 5.11 8.13 9.19 (73)
RICH 3.2 5.3 9.7 10.9 (69)
Goal Kickers:
Richmond: Parker (2), Henderson (2), Clarke, Cumberland, Dow, Mansell, Olden, Sonsie
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1136130/vfl-tigers-held-at-bay-by-swans
