RICHMOND 2.2 5.6 9.8 11.10 (76)
WEST COAST 2.6 5.13 7.14 8.17 (65)
GOALS Richmond: D Butler 2 D Martin 2 D Rioli 2 B Houli J Castagna J Riewoldt K Lambert S Grigg.
West Coast: M LeCras 3 J Kennedy 2 J Cripps J Darling M Hutchings.
UMPIRES Ray Chamberlain, Brett Rosebury, Andrew Stephens.
CROWD 42,523 at MCG.
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Tigers creep past Eagles
What started as a free flowing game in the sunshine ended in an arm wrestle in the rain as the Richmond Tigers sneaked past the West Coast Eagles.
While the Tigers had made an unbeaten start to the new season, they still faced questions about the quality of their opponents – Carlton and Collingwood. That's why the home clash on Saturday against the West Coast Eagles, tipped to be a serious top-four contender, was seen as an early litmus test.
And judging on the results of an 11-point win at the MCG, the Tigers must be considered a serious finals contender.
This was a contest where the pressure was intense through four quarters amid a stunning reversal in conditions.
As the weather morphed from a sunny, balmy afternoon of 28 degrees into something more akin to an Arctic front after half-time, so the momentum changed in the Tigers' favour.
They would win two decisive battles. Where Eagles' general Sam Mitchell was able to roam free in the first term with 12 disposals, he was held to 13 for the rest of the game. Trent Cotchin, enjoying another dominant day, often manned him at stoppages after the first break, while Kane Lambert regularly followed him around the field.
They were also able to largely nullify intercept kings Jeremy McGovern and Elliot Yeo, who have been so important in counter-attacking for the Eagles. Once again, they stuck to Damien Hardwick's game-plan – a sign of maturity and confidence.
That Dustin Martin would almost certainly have pocketed another three Brownlow Medal votes for his 40 disposals was also pivotal. Playing with a fractured cheekbone, but without a helmet, Martin's kicking efficiency wasn't what he would have liked – but it did not matter. He would have a personal-best 15 clearances – 10 more than next-best Cotchin. Whenever he was near the ball, danger lurked for the Eagles.
"It was a great team effort," Martin said, underplaying his efforts.
The Tigers led by a goal at three quarter-time – and there would be only three majors in the final term as rain sheeted across the ground. The first – and most important – came from Jack Riewoldt, who had, for the most part, a dirty afternoon, turning the ball over eight times and being nominated as the worst player afield by Wayne Carey on Triple M. But come the pivotal moment, Riewoldt hauled in a quick kick by Brandon Ellis and, with a heavy, slippery ball, converted a set shot from 20 metres out to stretch the lead to two goals. It would be enough.
"We challenged our boys at half-time and I thought our leaders stood tall - Trent, Jack, Alex, then Dusty came to the fore as well. It was really pleasing," Hardwick said.
"A lot of the numbers indicated our dominance after half-time. We probably couldn't quite get the scoreboard reward we were looking for."
Daniel Rioli, boasting the verve of his famous uncle Cyril, would also hit the scoreboard. While Eagles would find one late, their modest recent record at the home of football would continue.
Alex Rance was another crucial cog. His season patchy to this point, the All-Australian marshalled the defence, whether that be in a pure defensive mode on Jack Darling or Josh Kennedy, or counter-attacking.
The Tigers have taken great pride in their team defence this season, and that was again on show, highlighted by out-tackling their opponents 77-61.
This was largely a scrappy affair in the first term, although the Eagles should have been further ahead going on their 19-11 advantage in the inside-50 count.
Cotchin, as he has done so far this season, wanted to take the game on, and this would result in the Tigers' opening goal. While he was caught by the Eagles on the boundary near the forward pocket, the ball would ultimately find its way into Kane Lambert's hands, who snapped successfully.
This gave the Tigers momentum. So, too, did Dan Butler's burst from a stoppage on the wing, his three bounces leading to an open goal – and a standing ovation from the Tigers' faithful. The emerging Butler would have a busy afternoon.
The Tigers would quell Mitchell's influence in the second term – he would have two touches – but the Eagles lifted their pressure acts and briefly emerged the stronger side with an eight-point lead.
The contest opened up with six combined goals. Martin would provide a moment to remember when he pounced on Riewoldt's slightly wayward pass, turned and converted from the forward pocket. It was Dusty at his best.
He would have a game-high 20 disposals before half-time but his kicking efficiency of 38 per cent would hurt.
Jason Castagna, Rioli and Butler would impact the contest but the Tigers were unable to capitalise on their 20-12 clearance dominance.
Efficiency would be the key in the wet after half-time, and it was the Tigers who would lift, dominating the hard-ball contests in the third term.
Mitchell continued to be well held, Martin remained a clearance king, while Rioli supplied a goal-of-the-week nomination when he won a two-on-one contest on the half-forward boundary, shrugged off a tackle, and capitalised on a give and go, leading to a successful "banana" shot.
The Tigers would lose Nick Vlastuin to a suspected broken nose and concussion but their drive remained strong.
Their dominance was shown in that 87 per cent of the play in the opening 15 minutes was inside their attacking 50, but the Eagles hit back quickly, through successive goals to Mark LeCras and Kennedy. The Tigers would respond with two of their own, through Shaun Grigg and Butler, and have the lead heading into what was an entertaining final term.
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