VFL R15: Richmond vs Collingwood @ Punt Rd, Sun. July 3

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VFL Tigers edged by Collingwood in a Sunday thriller

In a Sunday thriller, the lead changed six times in the final term, with Collingwood in front of Richmond by four points when it mattered most.

By Brenton Mann
AFL Media
3 July 2022

RICH   3.5       6.8       8.11     11.14 (80)

COLL  0.5       5.7       9.10     12.12 (84)

Goal Kickers:

Richmond: Cumberland (2), Tucker (2), Aarts, Bauer, Clarke, Stack, Faimalo, Ryan, Colina

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Richmond VFL were pitted against another budding young side in Collingwood at the Swinburne Centre, and both sides gave the heaving crowd glimpses of what the future holds in a Sunday classic.

In a final term that saw the lead change six times, the Magpies found themselves in front by four points when it mattered most.

The frantic last quarter was about moments, and Richmond fans would have been heartened to see Mate Colina kick another important goal; Tom Brown soaring over opposing forwards and Noah Cumberland slotting a clutch goal.

Richmond maintained its brashness with ball-in-hand until the final siren, unfortunately it rang too soon with the final score reading, 12.12 (84) to 11.14 (80).

Coach Steve Morris provided energy and reassurance to his young squadron, instructing from the bench in the chaotic last quarter.

Morris implored Richmond to walk off the ground with their heads held high, knowing full well that the Tigers’ best is good enough, they just need to believe in and trust each other for longer.

The Tigers were buoyed by their final term seven days earlier in a stirring win against Geelong, and their performance in the first quarter against Collingwood was evident of that.

Led by Thomson Dow and Riley Collier-Dawkins, Richmond won the ball at the coalface and looked calm and dangerous forward of centre.

The Tigers were composed and methodical, picking their way through the Pies and finding free targets inside 50.

It took a little while for Richmond to gain reward for its time in forward half, but a crafty crumbing goal to Jake Aarts got the scoreboard ticking over.

Richmond kept Collingwood pinned in its defensive half, leading to Sam Tucker plucking an intercept in the Tigers’ forward 50.

Tucker is unerring in front of goal and that didn’t change, as the tall forward swung through his first goal, on the breeze.

Judson Clarke attacked the ball with ferocity soon after, drawing a free-kick and importantly, Clarke showcased his class by foot, slotting the goal, pushing Richmond’s lead out beyond three goals.

The Tigers were able to hold Collingwood goalless in the opening term, highlighting their defensive stinginess.

Collingwood found its groove in the second quarter, slotting the opening goal and turning up the heat around the ball.

Bailey Henderson plays in a manner that suggests he has a metronomic heartbeat and he showed poise in the chaos to find Cumberland free inside 50.

Cumberland made the most of his opportunity, reinstating Richmond’s 17-point lead.

Samson Ryan proved a beacon in attack in the second term, marking strongly and kicking truly, ensuring the Tigers maintained their buffer.

Collingwood then slammed through three goals in a heartbeat, and in the blink of an eye, the Tigers led by a solitary point deep into time-on in the second quarter.

Upon the restart, Collier-Dawkins surged onto a ball that was expertly weighted into his path, the bullocking midfielder put his head down, burst clear, driving the ball into the hands of Sydney Stack.

Stack slotted the goal, handing the Tigers a seven-point lead right before the stroke of half-time.

Collingwood had the edge in the second term, slotting five-goals-to-three after being held goalless in the first quarter.

The ball lived in Richmond’s half in the opening minutes of the third term, with the Tigers unable to capitalise on the scoreboard.

Such is the way in modern footy, the Magpies were able to withstand the onslaught and then counterpunched with venom, slamming on two goals and grabbing the lead.

Tucker made Collingwood’s lead short-lived after being cast in the role as rover, snapping his second goal, from close range.

The Magpies kicked two goals, opening up a ten-point lead in the shadows of three-quarter-time before Jacob Bauer pegged one back for Richmond.

Bauer read the fluky flight of the ball to perfection as forwards and defenders flew around him, the emerging key forward stayed down, the ball landing in his lap.

The Tiger big man kicked the goal, giving Richmond a real lift heading into the final change.

The last quarter was one for the archives. Colina kicked the opening goal, levelling the scores, with Fraser Elliot handing Richmond the lead soon after as his set-shot cannoned into the goal post.

Both sides then traded goals, as the fans’ heads would have been oscillating swiftly, with goals coming quicker than you could markdown the kicker in your record.

Faimalo and Cumberland looked to be the potential heroes for Richmond, with both players taking their moments in the dying minutes.

Collingwood was able to muster one final goal and held on by the skin of its teeth as the Tigers threw everything at them in the final seconds.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1163474/vfl-tigers-edged-by-collingwood-in-a-sunday-thriller

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Individual Stats:

Sonsie             31 disposals (15k, 16h), 5 marks, 1 tackle , 5 clearances, 1 inside 50,    -    , 1 behind
Parker             29 disposals (22k,   7h), 8 marks, 3 tackles,         -        , 10 inside 50s,  -   , 1 behind
Miller              27 disposals (16k, 11h),  4 marks,     -       ,         -        , 1 inside 50
Dow                26 disposals (13k, 13h), 5 marks, 6 tackles, 6 clearances, 5 inside 50s
Aarts               23 disposals (  7k, 16h), 5 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal         
Mansell            22 disposals (14k,   8h), 6 marks, 3 tackles,        -         , 1 inside 50
Clarke              17 disposals (  9k,  8h), 5 marks, 1 tackle  ,        -         , 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind
Collier-Dawkins 16 disposals (  6k, 10h), 3 marks, 3 tackles, 8 clearances, 2 inside 50s
Cumberland      16 disposals (  9k,   7h), 8 marks,     -       ,       -           , 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 3 behinds
Nyuon              16 disposals (  9k,   7h), 4 marks, 2 tackles,       -           , 1 inside 50
Stack               15 disposals (  7k,   8h), 7 marks, 1 tackle  ,       -           , 3 inside 50s, 1 goal
Brown              11 disposals (  3k,   8h), 4 marks, 1 tackle  ,       -           , 1 inside 50
Bauer               10 disposals (  8k,   2h), 4 marks, 2 tackles,       -           , 2 inside 50s, 1 goal
Ryan                  9 disposals (  7k,   2h), 2 marks, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 35 hitouts, 1 goal, 2 behinds
Colina                4 disposals (  2k,   2h), 1 mark  , 3 tackles,       -          , 1 inside 50, 5 hitouts, 1 goal, 1 behind


Team stats:

Disposals:     364 - 355
Kicks:           195 - 211
Handballs:     169 - 144
Marks:            97 - 100
Tackles:          36 - 34
Clearances:     29 - 35
Inside 50s:      48 - 49
Hitouts:           40 - 18
Frees:             15 - 21

https://www.afl.com.au/vfl/matches/4286#team-stats

[Rampsation]

What role is Miller playing. Is he playing as loose man in defence 27 disposals for a 197cm big guy is huge numbers. I also like the kick to handball ratio of 16 kicks 11 handballs.

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Richmond VFL coach Steve Morris provides a summary of how the Tigers’ players performed in Sunday's match against Collingwood at the Swinburne Centre.

Tyler Sonsie (31 disposals, five clearances, three rebound-50s)

"Back to his absolute best. Had a high contested possession count, good clearance numbers, and his work-rate both offensively and defensively was a standout."


Matt Parker (29 disposals, 10 inside-50s, eight marks, two score-assists)

"Had a lot of uncontested ball and we'd like to improve that balance slightly as I think his strengths are around the contest. But, his work-rate was a real standout on the day, when back to help our defence and also when driving the footy."


Ben Miller (27 disposals, eight rebound-50s, four marks)

"Had some good moments on the day. He really helps our offensive ball movement when he takes the game on. He's got great skills and helps us move the ball quickly from the back half."


Thomson Dow (26 disposals, six clearances, five marks, five inside-50s)

"Really good in and around contests. He led us for contested possessions and had six clearances on the day. His work-rate was also of a high class."


Jake Aarts (23 disposals, five marks, five tackles, one goal)

"Was outstanding on the day. He led the way in terms of our pressure on the footy and had a real impact when he went on-ball in the second half."


Rhyan Mansell (22 disposals, six marks, three tackles)

"Had a solid game on the weekend. He probably didn't stand out quite to the level he has over the last few weeks, but he's in really good form."


William Martyn (20 disposals, five rebound-50s, five marks)

"Had some fantastic contests on the day. It was great to see him get involved off half-back with 10 handball receives, as this has been a focus for him. He had another solid game."


Judson Clarke (17 disposals, three inside-50)

"Played a reasonable game without standing out. He made really good decisions with ball-in-hand and helps us going forward."


Riley Collier-Dawkins (16 disposals, eight clearances, three marks)

"Had some really good moments that would excite Tiger fans when bursting out of stoppage and driving the footy inside-50. It's something we want to see more often, but his clearance game was a good one, leading the team with eight on the day."


Noah Cumberland (16 disposals, eight marks, two goals)

"Continues to get multiple shots on goal every single game. He can definitely be better on defence, which is a bit of barometer for his game, but I think we're seeing some really good growth from Noah in and around contest when in offence."


Bigoa Nuyon (16 disposals, four marks, three rebound-50s)

"Didn't play to the level that we know he can. I'd like to see him get more involved in our offensive chains."


Sydney Stack (15 disposals, seven marks, three inside-50s, one goal)

"Had a solid game without standing out. He should have finished with a couple of goals. It was good to see him get his balance between offence and defence right."


Tom Brown (11 disposals, four marks)

"His hanger in the dying stages of the match when the game was on the line was the highlight of the day. He backed himself, and his aerial power is a really big strength of his and is something we're looking forward to seeing more of. He made some terrific decisions under pressure."


Jacob Bauer (10 disposals, four marks, two inside-50s, one goal)

"Was pretty stiff to not end up with three or four goals. He got himself into really good positions and wasn't used when he should have been. I think he's progressing really nicely, he certainly knows how to play his role for the team."


Samson Ryan (35 hit-outs, nine disposals, four clearances, one goal)

"Did a great job for us in the ruck. It was good to see him push forward and have an impact up there as well, taking a contested mark and finishing in front of goals is something we want to see more of from him."


Mate Colina (four disposals, three tackles, one goal)

"Mate is taking steps forward each and every week. He took a fantastic contested mark and provided a good contest for us up forward, we're certainly pleased with his progress."

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1165283/vfl-report-round-15