GRADING EVERY PLAYER AS HAWKS SPOIL THE PARTY IN DUSTY'S 300THBy Seb Mottram & Hugh Fitzpatrick
SEN
15 June 2024Here’s how we graded every player.
RICHMONDTim Taranto: A+Just his second game back from a lengthy injury break, you wouldn’t know from the way he played. A clear game-high in contested footy.
Jayden Short: ALed the Tigers for metres gained and used the footy beautifully off half-back.
Nick Vlastuin: AAnother Tigers defender who consistently found himself under pressure. Vlastuin handled himself with aplomb as he typically does.
Noah Balta: B+Spent most of his game opposed to Jack Gunston and taught the Hawks veteran a lesson in physicality.
Dustin Martin: BThere’s no way in hell you can be critical of the champion in game 300 - even if it was one of his quieter outings. The sound of the MCG when he kicked the first goal of the game will be a memorable moment for those lucky enough to be in the presence of greatness and it was great to see the fans turn up for the king, all 92,311 of them!
Shai Bolton: BIt’s not hard to see why many believe he could be the best in the game. Another classic Bolton performance, with brilliance and disaster entwined to make a must-watch game.
Daniel Rioli: BPlenty of silk distributing the footy off half-back.
Seth Campbell: BBen Miller: BJacob Koschitzke: B-Nowhere near the full package just yet, but is starting to show signs he can make it at AFL level.
Nathan Broad: C+Hugo Ralphsmith: C+Starting to make a name for himself on the wing under Adem Yze. Makes a few mistakes but the energy and flair was there again on Saturday evening.
Tom Brown: C+His right foot is quickly becoming one of the best in the competition. Now, Richmond just needs to get it into his hands more.
Kamdyn McIntosh: CThe ultra-consistent Tigers veteran played his role as that hard running defensive wingman. He finished the game with __ disposals and certainly wasn’t amongst Richmond’s worse.
Jack Graham: C
Albeit not your regular high possession getting midfielder, Graham was quiet for the Tigers today. At times Hawthorn’s younger midfielder made him look very slow out there and you get the feeling the body isn’t allowing Graham to play with complete freedom at the moment. His experience is priceless and crucial as this side goes through the rebuild phase.
Tyler Sonsie: CTo be fair to the 21-year-old, he played the grim role of a high forward in a team that got smashed and he managed to find a bit of it. Finished the game with 13 touches and 12 pressure acts.
Rhyan Mansell: CLiam Baker: C-Got involved in the midfield but wasn’t at his creative best. Only the three score invovlements.
Thomson Dow: D+Is finding more of the footy in 2024 playing as a permanent inside midfielder, but too many clangers to be considered a positive impact.
Tom Lynch: DNot much was expected in Lynch’s first game back from injury and not much was delivered.
Noah Cumberland: DAll the talent in the world, just can’t bring it to AFL level.
Kane McAuliffe: N/ACame on in the final term as the sub.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/06/15/grading-every-player-as-hawks-spoil-the-party-in-dustys-300th/