Media articles & stats: Tigers edge Swans to breathe life into season

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Alive and kicking: Tigers edge Swans to breathe life into season

Richmond's season still has a pulse after a tough win over Sydney at the MCG

By Sarah Black
afl.com.au
6 July 2023

RICHMOND     2.1     5.6     8.12     12.16     (88)
SYDNEY          4.4     8.6     10.8     11.9     (75)

GOALS
Richmond: Ross 2, Graham 2, Miller, Pickett, Cotchin, Baker, Nankervis, Vlastuin, Riewoldt, Martin
Sydney: Heeney 3, McInerney 2, Hayward 2, Franklin 2, Gulden, Papley

BEST
Richmond: Bolton, Taranto, Martin, Young, Ross, Nankervis
Sydney: Florent, Gulden, Parker, Rowbottom, Heeney, Rampe

INJURIES
Richmond: Bauer (hamstring)
Sydney: Lloyd (concussion)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Jack Ross (replaced Bauer in the first quarter)
Sydney: Aaron Francis (replaced Lloyd in the second quarter)

Crowd: 48,443 at the MCG

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TWO STUNNING fourth-quarter goals from Jack Graham has dragged an inaccurate Richmond to a 13-point win over a gallant Sydney at a wet and wild MCG.

The hard-nosed half-forward kicked a bomb from the centre square to draw the Tigers level, before pouncing on a front-and-centre to take the margin out to seven with a minute remaining.

It's a crucial bounce-back win for Richmond after a highly disappointing thumping at the hands of Brisbane, the 12.16 (88) to 11.9 (75) victory pushing the Tigers to just two points shy of the top eight.

Conversely, it could be a shattering blow for the Swans, who had a 26-point lead halfway through the second term and were in front until 10 minutes into the fourth quarter, and remain six points adrift of the top half of the ladder.

After an incredibly inaccurate draw against Geelong last week, Sydney kicked three straight goals to open its account. The Swans looked dangerous, linking up through the middle of the ground with ease and recording 55 more disposals in the first quarter as Luke Parker and Ollie Florent ran riot.

In-form Errol Gulden relished the wide wings of the MCG, particularly in the drier and faster conditions early in the game, while lively small forward Tom Papley threated throughout the game.

Shai Bolton and Dustin Martin sprang to life in the second quarter, causing havoc across half-forward with their speed and pressure around the footy.

But while the Tigers' general play was of a much higher standard, Toby Nankervis and Ben Miller both missed straightforward shots late in the quarter, and the Swans maintained an 18-point lead at half-time and looked a class above across the first two quarters.

Liam Baker – the ever-versatile Tiger playing forward – put in his nomination for goal of the year with a fluky soccer major on the goal-line to open the third term, throwing his body parallel with the goal face in order to get a boot to the ball.

It kickstarted a mini-Tiger resurgence as the rain began to tumble, lasting until Isaac Heeney's third sharp goal halfway through the quarter, the star Swan having found plenty of space in attack throughout the game and capitalising on his opportunities.

Despite Richmond's third-term dominance, the Tigers struggled to take their shots, kicking 3.6 in the soggy conditions as the Swans hung tough and capitalised on their few opportunities, with Lewis Melican and Dane Rampe settling things in defence.

Suspension looming for captain 'Nank'
Co-skipper Toby Nankervis is staring down the barrel of a suspension after being reported for a late and high bump in the second term, which caught Jake Lloyd in the head. A stretcher was called, but Lloyd left the field under his own steam, and he was subsequently subbed off. Lloyd had well and truly handballed the footy by the time Nankervis bumped the Swan, with his shoulder hitting Lloyd's head. Ivan Soldo is in the ruck wings with two VFL games under his belt after a foot injury.

So long, farewell from the 'G (possibly), Bud
The match against Richmond marked Sydney's last scheduled match at the MCG for the year. Outside of a possible finals game, it was likely to be Lance Franklin's final game at the football colosseum where he played so many outstanding games, particularly with former club Hawthorn. Matched up against the inexperienced but impressive Tylar Young for most of the game, Franklin threw his weight around. It didn't all go to plan, but he kicked 2.1 and handed one off to Will Hayward, and he provided a key target throughout.

Debutant dream to nightmare for Bauer
Jacob Bauer had a lovely first kick at AFL level, hitting up Dion Prestia inside 50. Unfortunately, he also injured his hamstring in the same kicking motion, instantly grabbing the back of his leg. He headed down the race for some treatment, but Richmond pulled the sub lever fairly quickly, inserting Jack Ross into the game. Ross – who was unlucky to be pushed to sub in the first place – had an outstanding game on the wing.

https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4924#match-report

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Richmond defeat Sydney 88-75 to keep finals hopes alive

Ronny Lerner and Jay Clark
HeraldSun
July 7, 2023

Richmond have fought back from 26 points down to win a thriller against Sydney by 13 points at a wet and slippery MCG on Thursday night, keeping their faint finals hopes alive in the process.

A frantic final quarter saw Jack Graham draw the Tigers level at the nine-minute mark when he unloaded a monster bomb from inside the centre square, and two minutes later Jack Ross gave the Tigers the lead for the first time when he missed a set shot.

Eight minutes later, Will Hayward had the chance to put the Swans back in front by four points, but his dribbler along the ground was stopped brilliantly by young Richmond defender Tylar Young who forced a boundary throw-in.

Shortly after, James Rowbottom’s hurried attempt went the wrong side of the goal post to make it a one-point ball game.

Richmond then regained territory domination, but, from their next three shots on goal via Shai Bolton (twice) and Dion Prestia, failed to score.

With 5:00 to go, Lance Franklin was paid a free kick for front-on contact from Nathan Broad, but the Sydney superstar failed to trouble the scorers from his set shot in the pocket, and with 2:25 to go, Swans defender Dane Rampe pumped the ball back into Sydney’s forward line, moments after Isaac Heeney failed to score from 30m out, but Young was once again there to take the intercept mark.

After 19 minutes elapsed without a goal, Graham bobbed up again with the matchwinning goal to put his side up by seven points with 57 seconds remaining.

Not long after, Dustin Martin put the icing on the cake with another goal to seal the win 12.16 (88) to 11.9 (75).

In what was a virtual elimination final in July, the result all but extinguished the Swans’ September ambitions as they will now probably have to win six of their last seven games to qualify.

The Swans made a scorching start to the game, booting four of the first five goals, on the back of early contested possession (26-18) and overall disposal (85-43) domination, to lead by 20 points after 25 minutes.

Sydney began the contest hungrier, sharper and quicker, finishing the first quarter with huge advantages in forward entries (17-9) and marks inside 50 (6-2), compared to Richmond who were slow, reactive and sloppy.

After the Tigers got back within nine points early in the second term, the Swans responded emphatically, booting the next three majors to open up a 26-point buffer.

Undeterred, Richmond proceeded to increase their pressure and after booting four of the next five goals, they found themselves just three points in arrears early in the third quarter.

Richmond lifted their work rate dramatically and wrenched all the momentum their way.

But despite helping themselves to 15 of the first 18 inside 50s for the term, they wasted countless goalkicking opportunities and could only manage a woeful 3.6, letting Sydney off the hook.

The Swans shot back out to a 15-point advantage late in the third quarter, but it proved to be a momentary respite as the relentless Tigers got their noses in front in the final term.

BAKER BRLLIANCE

Liam Baker got Richmond’s second half off to a spectacular start when he ran onto the loose ball in the goalsquare and, despite being outnumbered by three Swans, and being pushed off balance by Oliver Florent, he flung a leg at it and miraculously soccered it home at close to post height.

NIFTY NICK

And late in the third period, Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin got his team back within eight points after taking a sensational, juggling, one-handed contested mark against Callum Mills before drilling his second goal for the season from point-blank range.

BANKS TO THE RESCUE

At the 22-minute mark of the third stanza, the Swans looked primed to extend their lead to 14 points when Justin McInerney handballed it to an unattended Lance Franklin 15m out from goal. But Richmond debutant Sam Banks raced towards the champion Swan to make a contest and crucially rushed through a point, saving a certain goal.

BAUER DOWNER

Spare a thought for Richmond’s other first-gamer Jacob Bauer who pinged his hamstring with just his second kick inside the first couple of minutes. Bauer did so by drilling a pass beautifully straight onto Dion Prestia’s chest and setting up a goalscoring opportunity.

TIGERS 2.1, 5.6, 8.12, 12.16 (88)

SWANS 4.4, 8.6, 10.8, 11.9 (75)

LERNER’S BEST
Tigers: Martin, Nankervis, Bolton, Taranto, Broad, Graham, Ross.
Swans: Gulden, Heeney, Parker, Florent, Melican, Franklin.

GOALS
Tigers: Ross 2, Graham 2, Miller, Pickett, Cotchin, Baker, Nankervis, Vlastuin, Riewoldt, Martin.
Swans: Heeney 3, McInerney 2, Hayward 2, Franklin 2, Gulden, Papley.

INJURIES Tigers: Bauer (hamstring). Swans: Lloyd (concussion).

UMPIRES Power, Hosking, Meredith, Findlay

VENUE MCG

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LERNER’S VOTES

3 Dustin Martin (Rich)

2 Toby Nankervis (Rich)

1 Errol Gulden (Syd)

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-2023-all-the-news-and-fallout-from-richmond-vs-sydney-swans/news-story/e7748493beb160d9e81150acf54aaaf2

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Roar left in the Tigers? Richmond edge Swans to hover just outside the eight

By Shayne Hope
The Age
July 7, 2023

Richmond are set to lose co-captain Toby Nankervis to suspension after boosting their finals hopes with a nail-biting 13-point win over Sydney.

Jack Graham kicked two crucial final-quarter goals as the Tigers posted a 12.16 (88) to 11.9 (75) victory at the MCG on Thursday night to move within touching distance of the top eight.

But debutant Jacob Bauer limped off with a hamstring injury in the opening minutes and there was another sour note when Nankervis caught Swans defender Jake Lloyd with a high bump.

Lloyd was substituted out with concussion during the second quarter after an incident that will attract scrutiny from the league’s match review officer. The Swan will also miss next week’s match against the Western Bulldogs.

Replays showed Nankervis’ shoulder making contact with Lloyd’s head.

“He’s missed tonight and he’ll miss next week which is disappointing, really disappointing,” said Sydney coach John Longmire.

Asked if anything could be done to counter similar incidents, Longmire kept it simple. “Can’t do anything about it. Suck it up,” he said.

Richmond stars Dustin Martin (29 disposals, six clearances) and Dion Prestia (22 touches, six clearances) were outstanding on return, leading their side to victory, while Shai Bolton (31 possessions, nine clearances) and Tim Taranto (29 disposals, nine clearances) also shone.

Graham and substitute Jack Ross kicked two goals apiece.

Martin said it was satisfying to bounce back from their 81-point loss to Brisbane a week ago.

“We’re still in the hunt,” Martin said immediately afterwards. “So we just have to go week by week”.

Richmond trailed by as much as 26 points during the second quarter but dominated the second half and kicked four of the last five goals to overrun their opponents.

The result hung in the balance until Graham and Martin popped up with goals deep in time-on of the last quarter.

It means the Tigers could end the round just two points outside the top eight.

And it is also a boost to caretaker coach Andrew McQualter’s chances of winning the full-time job, improving his record at the helm to 4-2 since taking over from Damien Hardwick.

Sydney veteran Lance Franklin kicked two goals on return from injury in what is likely his final appearance at the MCG.

But the 36-year-old champion squandered the chance to put his side back in front with a missed set shot during the final term.

Isaac Heeney (three), Justin McInerney and Will Hayward (two each) also kicked multiple goals for Sydney.

Errol Gulden (31 disposals), Oliver Florent (30) and Luke Parker (28) were busy for the Swans, who were left to rue a second-half fade-out in a loss that leaves them battling to stay in finals contention.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-tigers-edge-past-sydney-swans-toby-nankervis-faces-ban-20230706-p5dmee.html