VFL Tigers push Casey, but ultimately fall shortRichmond’s brigade of youth pushed Casey to the brink at Punt Road Oval on Sunday afternoon, but unfortunately fell four goals short.
By Brenton Mann
Richmond Media
24 April 2022 6pmThe gravitas of Anzac Day Eve extends now to VFL level with Richmond and Casey squaring off in a precursor to the pageantry staged across Yarra Park later in the evening at the MCG.
The Tigers encountered their second successive unbeaten side, keen to replicate their performance last week against Carlton, with the scalp of the unblemished Demons firmly in Richmond’s sights.
In a game that had a finals-like flavour, Richmond’s brigade of youth pushed Casey to the brink, but unfortunately fell four goals short of a meritorious win, the final score reading, 9.10 (64) to 13.10 (88).
The Punt Road Oval tenants had an emphasis on setting the tone for the day with their physicality and pressure at the ball and man, delivering on that objective in spades.
Sydney Stack’s transition into a centre-bounce midfielder has been building over the last month of football, and Stack added a significant brick with his four-quarter display.
Stack was virtuous with his work around the contest and finished that off with a snapping goal from a boundary throw-in in the first quarter.
Judson Clarke had earlier got the ball rolling for Richmond with the opening major and is making a habit of kickstarting his side with energy and ability to sniff out a goal.
Clarke had a slight shift in role this week, utilising his pace and foot skills between the arcs and quick-draw hands around the stoppages.
Samson Ryan had a mountainous task in shouldering the majority of the ruck load this week with Ivan Soldo sidelined by his pinky toe.
Ryan rose to and welcomed the challenge of pitting himself against the seasoned Majak Daw, as he’s done on other occasions when faced with similar assignments.
The Demons aerial prowess was an area that Richmond had to curtail and Bigoa Nyuon symbolised that objective with every defiant spoil.
At times it seemed that Nyuon was going to clear the eastern fence and cause traffic chaos such was the power and ferocity behind his spoils.
The Tigers had been able to capitalise on the scoreboard, but when Demon Tom McDonald kicked back-to-back goals halfway through the first quarter, it looked as if Casey was going to get its nose in front.
Richmond met Casey in a pre-season game earlier in the year and on that night, small forward Cam Olden lit-up Casey Fields; in round 5, he had a similar effect just prior to quarter time.
With the Demons making their surge, Olden gobbled up a loose ball inside 50, snapping through over his left shoulder, and then set-up another goal immediately after.
Olden was the penultimate link of the chain as Richmond turned defence into attack, surging the ball down the outer wing by hand and finding Mykelti Lefau with a perfectly-weighted kick inside 50.
Debutant Sam Tucker dribbled through his first goal for the club and the Tigers led by 21 points at the first break.
Richmond wingman Austin Johnson added another major to the Tigers’ account with the first goal of the second quarter, opening up a handy 27-point lead for the home side.
Johnson’s goal sparked the Demons into action though, as they rattled on four goals on the trot, snatching the lead in the shadows of half-time.
The Tigers’ ability to hunt the opposition and turn the ball over remained, but they burnt themselves with ball hand in, which opened the door for Casey.
The intensity exerted by both sides kicked up a gear in the third quarter, as the healthy-sized crowd in attendance sensed the occasion.
As the pressure rose, so did the stocks of silky midfielder, Tyler Sonsie, as the budding Tiger won the ball frequently, and generally disposed of it by hand or foot with usual class.
Sonsie was also steely-eyed in the contest and didn’t mind returning serve with a couple of Casey midfielders.
Lefau soccered through his second goal after the ball floated over a myriad of outstretched fingers and fists, cutting the deficit to three points.
Casey led by just one point at the final change, as the brashness of youth had Richmond buoyant with the scent of another upset in the brisk Autumn air.
The Tigers created scoring opportunities early in the final term but lacked a bit of polish and composure inside 50 to truly capitalise.
Casey snuffed out any hint of a Richmond comeback with a five-goal surged that cemented victory.
Jake Aarts slotted the final goal of the game as the Tigers fought the match out until the end and will grow from the performance.
RICH: 6.3 7.4 8.7 9.10 (64)
CASEY: 3.0 7.6 8.8 13.10 (88)
Goal Kickers:
Richmond: Lefau (2), Aarts, Clarke, Stack, Henderson, Johnson, Olden, Tucker
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1110509/vfl-tigers-push-casey-but-ultimately-fall-short
