From Fox Footy: “The moment has finally arrived,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy post-game. “We’ve been waiting, we’ve been wondering … that is as spiritless a performance as we’ve seen for Richmond, considering the stakes. In the first half, they were nowhere near it.
“History is undefeated – and tonight it showed.”
Triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown said it appeared the Tigers “have lost hope”, while Melbourne champion Garry Lyon said the “stark reality” was the Tigers had lost seven of their past nine games.
“It would appear that the reign is over after as good a four-year block as you’re ever going to have in footy – and that’s not being disrespectful,” Lyon told Fox Footy.
Former Hawthorn sharpshooter Ben Dixon pointed out the Tigers conceded 27 points from centre bounces against the Giants and couldn’t score themselves from that source.
“They’ve gone from predator to prey and they are getting hunted,” Dixon told Fox Footy’s First Crack.
“They were scary two years ago and everyone that came up against the Tigers knew if you didn’t use the ball well, turnover scores and they were going to get punished. That’s just gone off a cliff. Their turnover scores, their pressure and ability to stop an opposition is gone.
“Not only have they lost their defensive action and hunger, they’ve lost it in the middle of the ground in structure. They’re actually falling apart a bit here. The wheels are off for finals, but you don’t want the cart to fall apart too and start getting your bum on the gravel.”
“They’ve had a great system for a long time, but everyone’s caught up. Now the competition’s so even … the system itself is not standing up.
Source: Foxsports
