VFL Tigers overrun by SwansBy Brenton Mann
Richmond Media
6 July 2023RICH 1.3 4.5 9.10 9.13 (67)
SYD 2.2 5.7 6.10 12.16 (88)
Goal Kickers:
Richmond: McDonagh (2), Cumberland (2), Bradtke (2), Ralphsmith, Lefau, Dow
Best Players: Ralphsmith, Trezise, Sonsie, Coulthard, Olden, Dow
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Richmond struck fast and early in Thursday afternoon's VFL match against Sydney at Punt Road, with Noah Cumberland getting the Tigers off to the perfect start.
Unfortunately, it was the Swans who finished the better though, their six-goal-to-nil final term securing a 21-point win, the final score reading 12.16 (88) to 9.16 (67).
The blustery conditions didn’t lend themselves to clean, free-flowing football, as both sides' attacking chains broke down due to turnovers.
Sydney scrapped two goals in quick succession, and held a five-point lead by the first break, as the Tigers looked to capitalise more with ball-in-hand.
After slotting a goal in the opening minute, Richmond had to wait over half an hour to register its second.
In the short time he’s been a Tiger, Matthew Coulthard has showcased his vast skillset, and in a game that was at times starved of precision, it was Coulthard who calmly set-up the Tigers’ second major.
Mykelti Lefau waltzed into an open goal after being handed the ball by Kaelan Bradtke.
The returning Garrett McDonagh then made it a Yellow and Black double, as he coasted by Ivan Soldo who had just dragged down a towering mark.
The Swans slammed on three goals in the blink of an eye, meaning the Tigers trailed by just over two goals.
Whenever Richmond needed an injection of speed and class, Coulthard answered the call.
The electric forward’s nous and foot skills led Samson Ryan into space, who then turned and drilled the ball to the advantage of Bradtke, who kicked truly from close range.
Sydney clung to an eight-point lead as the half-time siren sounded.
Much like the start to the game, Cumberland helped himself to the opening major of the second half, finishing off the good work of the Tigers up the field.
Richmond got going.
Tyler Sonsie shimmied his way out of the centre square, placing the ball to Lefau, the play ultimately ending with a mark to Thomson Dow just inside 50.
Dow gave the Tigers’ faithful a reason to remove their hands from their pockets, as he eased through his set-shot from a tight angle.
Ryan, Cumberland and Bradtke combined for Richmond’s seventh goal, before Hugo Ralphsmith got the Tigers roaring.
Dow put himself in an attacking position to intercept, which set in motion a wave of Yellow and Black surging towards Brunton Avenue, as Ralphsmith rode home a bomb from beyond the arc.
Sydney hit back, cutting the margin to nine points, which was short lived, courtesy once again of the sure left-boot of McDonagh.
The goal was the cherry on top of some classic high-octane Richmond football.
The Tigers amped up their pressure rating, and more importantly, cashed in on the scoreboard.
Richmond took an 18-point lead into the final change and would need to fight into the wind to grind out the four points.
The Swans ate into the margin with two swift goals, drawing withing five points.
Scores were then locked at 65-apiece as Sydney found its voice.
The Swans made it four goals on the bounce for the term, re-capturing the lead by five points.
The deficit pushed out to 14 points, as the sky darkened, and the lights took effect.
Richmond could only muster three points in the final term whilst Sydney piled on six goals of its own to run away with the win.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1373337/vfl-tigers-overrun-by-swans
