Port Adelaide v Richmond: Slumping Tigers suffer from a Power surge

PORT ADELAIDE 2.7 7.10 11.13 13.16 (94) RICHMOND 2.2 5.4 8.10 8.11 (59)
Goals: Port Adelaide: J Impey 3, A Young 2, C Dixon 2, J Neade 2, J Westhoff, M Broadbent, N Krakouer, T Boak. Richmond: J Riewoldt 3, S Grigg 2, B Deledio, D Martin, T Vickery.
BEST Richmond: Martin, Houli, Grigg, Riewoldt. Port Adelaide: Polec, Pittard, Broadbent, Wines, Dixon.
Umpires: Jacob Mollison, Brett Rosebury, Brent Wallace.
Official Crowd: 27,077 at MCG.

Richmond's finals hopes appear all but over — and internal change is on the cards — after the Tigers crashed to a six-goal loss to an undermanned Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

Jack Riewoldt of the Tigers and Paul Stewart of the Power compete for the ball. Photo: Getty Images

The Tigers dropped their fifth match of the season and now brace for another week under a fierce spotlight where club brass will also more than likely have to face searching questions.

Since 1994, 35 teams have started 1-5, and only one has gone on to make the finals. This would suggest the Tigers' September dreams are over, and an internal review will focus on recruiting, development and assistant coaches. The decision to extend coach Damien Hardwick's contract on the eve of the season will be a source of debate – at least for supporters.

Trailing by three goals at half-time, Hardwick opted to coach from the bench for the first half of the third term but, despite his side showing fight, the Power were able to extend their advantage and post their third win of an inconsistent campaign.

Troy Chaplin of the Tigers reacts after the siren. Photo: Getty Images

The Tigers played most of the night with only three on the bench after Kane Lambert was taken to hospital with suspected rib or lung damage after a heavy hit in the first term.

Dustin Martin did his best to drag the Tigers over the line with a complete performance but, once again, they were exposed by a lack of quality. Trent Cotchin had a night he would rather forget, and played as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

In what at times was an arm-wrestle, the Tigers were out-tackled and the absence of the suspended Alex Rance was felt in defence with the Tigers missing his composure when Power forwards Charlie Dixon and Justin Westhoff threatened.

Matthew Broadbent of the Power passes under pressure. Photo: Getty Images

The Tigers held the advantage in clearances and contested possession but too many disposals, particularly when heading inside 50, or when inside 50, lacked penetration or direction, a regular criticism.

Jack Riewoldt did his best to continually present but Ty Vickery, off contract this year, was unable to have the required impact. Finding a suitable sidekick for Riewoldt may be one of the Tigers' most pressing debates.

Brett Deledio, in his first match of the season after a quad injury, provided drive from half-forward and half-back and reinforced why he had been so badly missed.

Conversely, the Power, missing stars Chad Wingard and Robbie Gray, muscled the ball forward and were brilliantly led by the midfield dash of Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard across half-back. After a slow start, skipper Travis Boak was also influential.

In his first match back from a five-match suspension, Nathan Krakouer delivered a crucial goal off one step from 50 metres midway through the third term, just as the Tigers were pressing.

The Tigers have turned to youth more this season, and debutant Jason Castagna, a former Northern Knight, showed encouraging glimpses on a pressure-filled night. The time to blood more youth has arrived.

Pre-match Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas summed up the expectations of each side after they had endured a rugged week.

"You have to perform, you can't hide from the media glare. You have to perform. Tonight will tell us a lot about each of the clubs," he said.

For the opening 10 minutes, the Tigers did show up for business. They began impressively, and dominated the contested ball and inside 50s.

They had the first two goals on the board thanks to snaps by Shaun Grigg and Riewoldt, with the Power looking as if they were not up for the fight. 

While Boak did not have his first touch until midway through the term, the Power slowly began to lift, and that began in the contest through Polec from half-back and Hamish Hartlett. They began to win the clearances, and Dixon and Westhoff took marks deep inside 50 – previously a problem area for the Power.

Westhoff, though, had his typical moments of frustration, this time when, having completed a strong mark 15 metres out from goal, he attempted to handball to an unmarked teammate, only for the ball to be smothered. But when Dixon converted minutes later, the Power had the lead at the first change.

Vickery regained that advantage inside the opening 12 seconds of the second term but it would be the Power, with their confidence rising, who would seize control.

The Tigers needed their leaders to lift but Cotchin would have only the one disposal. The heavy lifting was left to Martin, who had 18 disposals to half-time, Grigg and Houli.

The Tigers would have a slight advantage in clearances and contested possession which was at odds with how play unfolded. Polec continued to find the ball, Pittard provided dash from half-back and Broadbent's damaging run hurt. So, too, did his stunning goal from 65m after the Tigers had failed to "kill" the contest on the wing, allowing the Power to overlap and Broadbent to convert his bomb without a teammate inside 50 to pass to. 

With the Tigers trailing by three goals at the main break, former Hawthorn premiership defender-turned-commentator Campbell Brown suggested "careers are on the line in the second half". The Tigers now have some major decisions to make heading into a Friday-night rumble against a stung Hawthorn.