Tigers blow it as Roos force a draw
4:54 PM Sun 19 July, 2009NORTH Melbourne caretaker coach Darren Crocker has his first premiership points, after his side recovered a seven-goal half-time deficit to draw against Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.
Leigh Harding’s third goal put the Kangaroos six points clear with barely 90 seconds remaining, but Mitch Morton replied to salvage something from the ashes of a game Richmond had several clear chances to win.
The scores finished level on 12.13 (85) apiece.
A thriller looked highly unlikely when Richmond piled on four late goals to take a 42-point lead into half time. But five goals to one in the third quarter cut the gap to 16, and the opening two goals of the final quarter brought the Roos within a kick.
Goalless after the eight-minute mark of the third quarter, Richmond had a string of opportunities to seal the win late in the final term.
A bad turnover wrecked a promising attack and a mark to David Hale, whose straight kick put his side in front for the first time since Harding’s opening goal.
Richard Tambling then hit the post with a set shot from just 30m.
The result leaves Crocker still searching for his first win since taking over from Dean Laidley after round 12 this year.
Lachlan Hansen kicked the game’s first goal inside four minutes but the first half was one-way traffic from then on. Led by Robin Nahas (two goals) and the busy Jack Riewoldt (three), the Tigers carved the game open with five unanswered goals.
North counterpunched briefly in the second quarter, but conceded four goals in time-on, and it wasn’t until the 14-minute mark of the third term that they were able to eat at Richmond’s lead.
With Brent Harvey inspiring the stuff, Harding kicked his second goal, before Hale, Corey Jones and Andrew Swallow chimed in to unexpectedly breathe life into the game.
The Tigers received a double blow ahead of the bounce, losing in-form pair Ben Cousins and Trent Cotchin to illness.
Both are expected to be fit for the clash against Essendon at the MCG next Sunday.
Full report and details to follow.
Richmond 4.5 10.6 11.9 12.13 (85)
North Melbourne 1.3 3.6 8.11 12.13 (85)
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Morton 2, Nahas 2, Coughlan, Edwards, Hislop, Polo, White
North Melbourne: Harding 3, Hale 2, Harvey 2, Greenwood, Hansen, Jones, McIntosh, Swallow
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL. Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network
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