VFL Tigers fight tooth and nail in win over RoosRichmond had to combat a strong breeze and North Melbourne surging forward at will in the final term, to clinch a two-point victory at Arden Street on Saturday.
By Brenton Mann
Richmond Media
16 July 2022Playing to your strengths and celebrating those of your teammates were the key threads that bound Richmond for its round 17 clash with North Melbourne at Arden Street.
The Tigers took their lessons from the narrow pre-bye loss to Collingwood, by grinding out a thrilling two-point win over the Kangaroos.
Richmond had to combat the strong breeze and North Melbourne surging forward at will in the final term, the Tigers staunchly defended like their lives depended on it, the final score reading 8.10 (58) to 8.8 (56).
Lachlan Street oozed leadership throughout the day, slotting a game-high three goals. His third was uber important as it was Richmond’s only goal into the wind and in the nail-biting final term.
The Kangaroos piled on three goals after Street’s third major, as the anxiety levels started to rise. Richmond upped the ante around the ball.
Riley Collier-Dawkins kicked the goal of the day in the third term, showcasing his speed and power to goal on the run, and he was also the one that flicked the switch in the frantic last quarter.
Collier-Dawkins, Thomson Dow, Judson Clarke and Jason Castagna locked down through the midfield, keeping the ball in tight and edging it forward when the opportunity arose.
Clarke and Dow’s quick hands in tight released teammates into space, with Sam Banks the main beneficiary.
Banks, a native of the Apple Isle, knows a thing or two about playing in high winds and that became evident following his ball-busting goal in the third term.
The wiry wingman collected a mark on the outer wing, as the Roos’ defenders backed away, Banks took the space afforded to him, skated to 55 metres out and rode home a goal on the breeze.
Tom Brown was another burgeoning Tiger who had big moments in the final term and stood tall in most.
Brown’s ability to intercept in dangerous positions proved telling, taking another athletic mark over a defender for the second game running.
Rhyan Mansell showed his tenacity in a tight contest in Richmond’s come-from-behind win over Geelong, and the tenacious Tiger was at his staunch best again in the win over North Melbourne.
Mansell’s ability to cut angles, spoil, tackle and read the play allowed Richmond to rebound off turnovers between the arcs and thwart the Kangaroo’s offensive forays.
A blustery northerly gale welcomed the Tigers, who cashed in with the wind at their back in the first quarter, slamming on four goals in the opening 15 minutes.
Bigoa Nyuon and Street worked in tandem in the ruck, with Nyuon showing promise with his spring and deft touch at the centre bounce, and Street capitalising inside 50, snapping Richmond’s first goal.
Nyuon utilised his athleticism at ground level soon after, trapping a North defender holding the ball, then easing through his set-shot for the Tigers’ second major.
Jacob Bauer then stretched every fibre to out-mark two North Melbourne defenders 20 metres out from goal and kicked truly, signalling a slick start by the Tigers.
Hailing from Leongatha, Cam Olden showed how well he acclimatised to the unfavourable conditions, drifting home a goal on the breeze and the Tigers raced to a 26-point lead.
The Kangaroos found their feet in the back end of the opening term, trapping the Tigers in their back-half and peppered the goals.
North failed to slot a major but had importantly shifted the flow of the game by quarter time.
Kicking against the wind in the second term, Richmond struggled to move the ball with its trademark dash and dare, instead kicking it to North Melbourne’s spare which played into the home side’s hands.
Conditions made ball retention quite tricky, as the Kangaroos capitalised on the Tigers’ turnovers, nailing three goals, and holding Richmond scoreless.
The Tigers had their chances inside 50 but couldn’t bring the ball to ground and lock it in their forward half for a meaningful amount of time.
Richmond recaptured its mojo with the wind in the third term, and goals to Collier-Dawkins, Street and Banks ensuring the Tigers held a crucial 14-point buffer at the final change.
The Tigers held on in the last quarter to scrap out the win.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1173245/vfl-tigers-fight-tooth-and-nail-in-win-over-roos
