Tigers crash Swans' party
Richmond overturn a 32-point half-time deficit to score an 18-point away win over Sydney.
PT1M30S 620 349RICHMOND 2.4 3.5 10.10 14.11 (95) SYDNEY 3.4 8.7 10.8 11.11 (77)
GOALS Richmond: Riewoldt 6, Miles, Deledio, Ellis, Newman, Maric, Gordon, Cotchin, Vickery. Sydney: Rohan 2, Franklin 2, Parker 2, Hannebery, Kennedy, Tippett, Derickx, Mitchell.
BEST: Richmond: Riewoldt, Cotchin, Rance, Miles, Deledio Sydney: Kennedy, Parker, Hannebery, Rohan, Jack.
Reports: Sydney: L Franklin (Swans) for rough conduct on S Edwards (Richmond) in the second quarter, K Tippett (Swans) for striking D Grimes (Richmond) in the third quarter.
UMPIRES Schmitt, Meredith, Chamberlain.
CROWD 37,579 at SCG.
To understand the madness that happened in Sydney it is best to break the game into two: what happened before Lance Franklin was reported, and the events after.
Big win: Jack Riewoldt of the Tigers and teammates celebrate winning at the SCG. Photo: Getty Images
There will be few more extraordinary matches this season than Richmond's stunning resurrection, or the Swans' shock capitulation depending on your point of view.
Talking points were aplenty. There was the booking of Franklin, followed not long after half time by that of Kurt Tippett, leaving Sydney facing the possibility of being without their two glamour forwards next week, and a bizarre interchange infringement. Not to mention the question of how a premiership contender blew a 32-point lead to lose by three goals - a turnaround of 50 points in one half.
Let's start with Franklin. The superstar forward was having the better of a fiery duel with Alex Rance until he chose not to contest the ball but instead clean up Shane Edwards, who had his eyes only for the ball, in the second term.
Bad night: Lance Franklin of the Swans looks on from the sideline. Photo: Getty Images
The 15 cm gap in height between the pair meant Franklin was bound to make head high contact. He had his number taken and will learn his fate on Monday from the match review panel.
Fortunately for Franklin, Edwards returned to the field after passing a concussion test, which means the impact of the hit is likely to be deemed low. This could be the difference in whether Franklin escapes with a fine or spends a week or two in the stands.
Up until now, the Swans were the dominant team - hardly a surprise given their standing as a genuine contender while Richmond were largely considered a tease. That might need reassessment given the Tigers have now knocked off Sydney and Fremantle.
Tensions rise: Troy Chaplin of the Tigers and Kurt Tippett of the Swans exchange words. Photo: Getty Images
Gary Rohan and Franklin were shaping as the Swans' match-winners and their blue-chip quartet of Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy and Kieren Jack controlled the midfield.
But after the long break the Swans switched off in a most un-Swans-like manner and the Tigers pounced.
Franklin, Hannebery and Lewis Jetta had been among the most influential players but had their colours lowered, none more so than the superstar forward, who had just one touch.
Catch me if you can: Brett Deledio of the Tigers runs the ball. Photo: Getty Images
If there was a contest which highlighted how fortunes had changed it came in the third quarter when Rance beat Franklin for possession then, with his opponent flailing in his wake, picked out Tyrone Vickery on the lead.
The Swans had just three players who managed more than 10 possessions in the second half.
To understand Richmond's dominance in the third term, when they kicked seven goals to two, consider this. They won the possession count 113-61, smashed the Swans 44-26 for contested possessions. The Swans' defence, normally so organised, could not withstand wave after wave of yellow and black attack.
Jack Riewoldt was the star, bagging six goals in arguably one of the best games of his career. He made Dane Rampe and Ted Richards look pedestrian with his strong marking on the lead and ability to lose his opponent after pushing up the ground.
He had been dangerous even when the Tigers were outplayed in the first half so it was only logical his game went to another level once his teammates found their mojos.
With Trent Cotchin becoming the most important midfielder on the ground, the Tigers made their move after half-time with four unanswered goals.
Such was their temperament, they were able to withstand not only the Swans wresting the momentum back with the next two but also an interchange infringement which cost Vickery a shot at goal.
The Tigers were punished for allowing Edwards, who had been undergoing a concussion test, back on the ground before his 20 minutes had elapsed.
A two-goal swing loomed but Nick Smith, noted for his coolness in saving goals rather than scoring them - sprayed his 40-metre shot out on the full.
Three goals in time on ensured the Tigers headed into the final chance full of belief in causing another major upset.
The ball lived in Sydney's forward half for long periods of the last term but they had nothing to show for it other than a goal to Tippett.
Riewoldt's sixth put the Tigers back in front before Ivan Maric sealed the points in the manner of a striker finding the back of the net.
