Media articles: Tigers handle Dees but lose it late to North

[one-eyed]

Tigers handle Dees
By richmondfc.com.au
9:16pm AEDT Friday, February 22, 2013


MELBOURNE        0.1.0    0.2.3 (15)                 
RICHMOND           1.2.5    1.2.9 (30)

SUPERGOALS
Melbourne: Nil
Richmond: Houli

GOALS
Melbourne: Watts, Toumpas
Richmond: Riewoldt, Vickery

BEST
Melbourne: Watts, Dunn, McDonald, Jones
Richmond: Deledio, Conca, Houli, Morris, Ellis

INJURIES
Melbourne: Frawley (face)
Richmond: Riewoldt (cut head)
 
Reports: Nil

Umpires: Ryan, Nicholls, Gleeson (first half), Bannister, Findlay, Fisher (second half)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DUSTIN Martin to Trent Cotchin to Jack Riewoldt at the four-minute mark of the first half led to Richmond's first goal in Friday night's NAB Cup contest againt Melbourne.

It was the sort of dynamic attacking transition Richmond supporters might watch if a low point hits mid-season. All the big names at their best.

Looking as sharp as James Dean, the Tigers dominated the game early. Their run troubled Melbourne and Richmond led the inside 50 count 16-4 in the first half.

Luckily for Melbourne - that earlier lost to North Melbourne by two points - the Tigers did not kick straight and only led by 20 points.

In the end the Tigers had 12 scoring shots to five to run out winners by 15 points.

Tom McDonald, as usual, battled hard for the Demons in defence and his duels with Ty Vickery could be engrossing in the future.

Jimmy Toumpas was classy and looked the type who could find space in an old shed. He kicked a nice goal to start the second half and while he admitted to being nervous pre-game, he showed few signs of the jitters.

A head clash between Jack Riewoldt and James Frawley left both players dazed and they left the field. Riewoldt had a cut to his head while Frawley did not return.

Jack Viney is tough. He takes the knocks and gets up.

One can only imagine how a contest between Martin and Viney might thrill crowds in the future. It could be football's version of cage fighting.

If that happens, Trent Cotchin will the classy sidekick with good skills to keep the fans entertained.

Jack Watts looks to have a completely different mindset to the one he had 12 months ago. He looks determined, focused and to be growing in confidence across half-back.

The Tigers' Nick Vluastin was quiet but he was matched against Melbourne's best and he has a great shape and size for a midfielder.

Former Demon Ricky Petterd was playing loose in defence and although he occasionally appeared to overthink his way through a situation, he found enough of the ball to be pleased with his effort.

Both teams will be competitive this season but the Tigers will, as expected, have the early edge.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2013-02-22/tigers-handle-dees

[one-eyed]

Tigers lose it late
By Jennifer Phelan
10:28pm AEDT Friday, February 22, 2013

RICHMOND                         0.4.3   0.6.8 (44)
NORTH MELBOURNE           0.5.2   0.7.6 (48)                                           

SUPERGOALS
Richmond: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil

GOALS
Richmond: S. Edwards 2, Riewoldt 2, Ellis, Jackson,
North Melbourne: Harvey 2, Black 2, Daw, Thomas, Ziebell

BEST
Richmond: Ellis, Vlastuin, Newman, Knights, Arnot 
North Melbourne: Harvey, Swallow, Ziebell, Currie, Cunnington

INJURIES
Richmond: O'Hanlon (cut head)
North Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Bannister, Findlay, Fisher

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NORTH Melbourne ruckman Majak Daw has strengthened his chances of a round one debut after a second explosive performance in the Roos' NAB Cup win over Richmond on Friday night.

Having impressed in North's earlier two-point win against Melbourne, the spring-heeled big man wowed the crowd with several powerful contributions.

The highlight was his goal in the first half that saw him grab the ball in front of Steven Morris, step left, jump right, unleash a 'don't argue' and then veer back the other way to run in and slot the major.

The third game of Friday night's action at Etihad Stadium was by far the most interesting and most intense, with an avalanche of goals compared to the previous hit-outs. 

Young Roo Aaron Black kicked the sealer for the Roos with 40 seconds remaining after the Tigers led for much of the night.
The final score was 0.7.6 (48) to 0.6.8 (44).

With big men Todd Goldstein and Ivan Maric sitting out, North recruit Daniel Currie and Richmond rookie Orren Stephenson were pitted against each other, with support from Daw and Tom Derickx.

Currie impressed for the Roos with 12 hit-outs and dominance in the centre.

Veteran Roo Brent Harvey, who will miss the first six rounds of the season with suspension, was in good touch with a pair of goals in the first half.

Tigers first round draftee Nick Vlastuin was also impressive in the four-point defeat.

The 18-year-old former Vic Metro captain was one of the Tigers' shining lights in the narrow loss, despite his team dropping yet another tight one after leading for most of the game.

Richmond lost six matches by less than 13 points last year and have spent the pre-season training for close finishes.

But Vlastuin delighted fans with one play where he spun around Shaun Atley to pump the ball inside 50, which resulted in a Shane Edwards goal.

Second year Tiger Brandon Ellis took another positive step after a red hot pre-season with nine disposals while former Adelaide player Chris Knights had eight.

Both sides entered the game having won their previous matches against Melbourne – North by two points and Richmond by 15.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2013-02-22/tigers-lose-it-late

[one-eyed]

North Melbourne passes early test against Melbourne and Richmond

    Bruce Matthews
    From: Herald Sun
    February 23, 2013

A GOAL in the last minute against Richmond handed North Melbourne a double dose of that winning feeling last night to start its season.

Aaron Black, who played only four games last year, maintained his composure to steer through a set shot from 40m with 40 seconds left of a thrilling shootout at Etihad Stadium.

It was the first time the Kangaroos had been in front since veteran Brent Harvey booted a goal in the opening minutes of the third game of the triangular NAB Cup opening round.

North Melbourne benefited from the rest after holding on to edge Melbourne by two points in the first match.

Richmond, which beat the Demons by 15 points in game two, came oh so close to going home with the 2-0 record after a quick kick from Shane Edwards was offline for a behind with eight seconds left.

The Roos' tall targets looked ominous. Significantly, Drew Petrie, Robbie Tarrant and Lachie Hansen managed goals against the Demons to underline the danger.

And the trio were given plenty of room to run on to a pass or work one-out with opponents, with a crumbing forward, such as Harvey or Lindsay Thomas, the only other teammate inside the forward 50 for most of the night.

Tiger fans had plenty to cheer - such as an early break from the centre when Brett Deledio, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin shared the ball to find Jack Riewoldt on the lead for the opening goal of their first game against the Dees.

There was an urgency and hardness from the Tigers at the ball and the ball-carrier, from players such as Shane Tuck and Steven Morris.

Richmond should have put Melbourne to the sword by far more than 15 points.

The eager Tigers dominated possession, but were wasteful as much as the Demons defence stood firm, particularly in the second half.

They finished with a lopsided 26-12 inside-50 advantage, but the winning margin was inflated by Bashar Houli's first-half nine-pointer.

Melbourne seemed poised to pinch the opening game against the Roos after rebounding around the city wing in the final seconds.

Jeremy Howe marked just outside 50 and a super-goal would have done the trick. But he chipped a pass to new boy Dean Kent, who didn't get the chance to give off the ball to someone outside 50 as the final siren sounded.

At least the recruit from country Western Australia went back and slotted the goal from 45m to cut the margin to two points.

The Demons' new key forward Chris Dawes didn't get many opportunities and was generally double-teamed every time he ventured to a contest. But he worked hard and was rewarded in the second half against the Roos when he helped set up a Howe goal.

Demons coach Mark Neeld said later they had to find a way to give the former Magpie quicker delivery.


RICHMOND

NEW TRICKS
NOT a lot different about how the Tigers went about their business last night with Trent Cotchin and Co in the midfield seeking out spearhead Jack Riewoldt. Bachar Houli provided heaps dash off half back.

YOUNG BLOOD
ONBALLER Nick Vlastuin was the pick of the Tiger cubs holding his own against Melbourne. Defender Steven Morris picked up where he left off last year using his speed to break the lines. Dustin Martin provided plenty of spark out of the midfield setting up many of the Tigers' attacking bursts.

SUPERCOACH
VLASTUIN ($159,500) is a steal as a dual position (midfield/defender) player. The young gun attacked the contest hard winning his share of clearances. Tigers star Brett Deledio ($624,100) had the ball on a string while Ivan Maric ($606,900) dominated the stoppages last night.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/north-melbourne-passes-early-test-against-melbourne-and-richmond/story-e6frf9jf-1226583885138

[one-eyed]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/forward-yet-to-find-his-feet-20130222-2exim.html

    Rohan Connolly
    The Age
    February 23, 2013

LUCKY BREAK

Some NAB Cup rules work better than others, and the last-to-touch free kick, not for the first time, caused some angst last night. Daniel Jackson was the beneficiary, though North's Will Sierakowski may have been a tad unlucky, his misery compounded when the ball wasn't returned properly, and he conceded a 50-metre penalty. Jackson exploited his fortune to the full, too, slamming through a goal.

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME

Shane Edwards kicked a couple of goals for the Tigers and missed a last-second chance to pinch victory, at least offering a small forward goalkicking option. Both, though, were the result of fantastic work further afield. Edwards' first came after a superb tackle from Ty Vickery on North's Luke Delaney. The second came after an inspired piece of thinking from Jack Riewoldt, who threaded a beautiful handball through a gap between two North defenders.

REVIEW THAT

It was only a NAB Cup but three scoring video reviews were tedious.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/good-sign-in-north-defence-20130222-2exk0.html#ixzz2LeSdjsaE