| From the club's site: Season ends on a high By Ben Casanelia 4:38 PM Sun 31 August, 2008 A SEASON of hope ended in style for a Richmond side on the move when it downed wooden-spooner Melbourne by 80 points in front of 37,046 fans at the MCG. In a game that never reached any great heights – no surprise given there was nothing other than pride on the line – the Tigers set up the victory with an six-goals to one second term before cruising away to win 18.13 (121) to 6.5 (41). Joel Bowden, Shane Tuck, Chris Newman, Brett Deledio and a rock solid back six were superb all day for the Tigers, while Greg Tivendale, in his last game for the club, provided the day’s highlight when he drilled a 65-metre running goal midway through the second term that sent the otherwise sedate Tiger fans into raptures. It was one of six for the quarter that effectively put the game’s result beyond doubt despite the fact there was still a half to play. Tivendale, 29, hopes to continue his career elsewhere in 2009 and did his chances no harm with a steady 24-possession effort. In every department the Tigers had the Demons covered. They won the inside 50 count 67-34, had 76 more possessions, laid 17 more tackles and importantly converted possessions into scoring opportunities to register 20 more scoring shots. The dominance was reflected on the scoreboard where the Tigers increased their lead at every change as the likes of Tuck, Nathan Foley, Kane Johnson and Bowden did as they pleased all over the ground. In essence, it was as complete a victory as Richmond has enjoyed all season. While the Demons fumbled and stumbled their way through the afternoon, the Tigers’ superior skill and decision making made the game all one-way traffic. The fact Melbourne could only produce 11 scoring shots against a defence ranked 13th in the league told the story of a miserable day for the Demons. While Melbourne failed to make the contest an interesting one, it did have reason to celebrate given it was the last appearance in red and blue for Jeff White, Adem Yze and Ben Holland. White played his usual serviceable game in the ruck to gather 17 touches and kick two goals, Yze was handy around the ground in gathering 25 while Holland managed a farewell goal late in the third term to give himself and fans something to smile about. Both White and Yze are looking to play on in 2009, with Carlton rumoured to be interested in acquiring White for next season. While some careers ended others were just beginning for Melbourne in the form of Jack Grimes. While the youngster struggled in his first game, it was invaluable experience. As it was for the likes of Colin Garland, Addam Maric, Matthew Warnock, Simon Buckley, Clint Bartram, Ricky Petterd and Cale Morton who represent a bright future for the Melbourne Football Club. What’s needed now is patience. Not so for Richmond, who after ending the season with 11 wins and in ninth position, can look to 2009 optimistically from a finals perspective. DETAILS Melbourne 2.1 3.1 4.4 6.5 (41) Richmond 2.5 8.9 12.10 18.13 (121) GOALS Melbourne: White 2, Green, Holland, Sylvia, Whelan Richmond: Deledio 4, Bowden 3, Jackson 2, Riewoldt 2, Connors, Foley, McMahon, Morton, Tivendale, Tuck, White BEST Melbourne: Yze, Whelan, Bruce, Warnock, Garland Richmond: Bowden, Tuck, Newman, Deledio, Foley, McGuane, Johnson, McMahon INJURIES Richmond: Connors replaced Pattison in selected side Melbourne: Petterd (hamstring) REPORTS Melbourne: Miller for wrestling Morton (Rich) in the second quarter by umpire Wenn. Richmond: Morton for wrestling Miller (Melb) in the second quarter by umpire Wenn Umpires: Margetts, Ryan, Ellis Official crowd: 37,046 at MCG |
| From the club's site: Tigers over line in nailbiter By Mic Cullen 4:41 PM Sat 23 August, 2008 A TERRIFIC last quarter has given Richmond a desperately needed win over Fremantle and kept their faintly flickering finals hopes alive. The Tigers survived a late scare to run out seven-point winners in the Saturday afternoon MCG clash, 15.15 (105) to 15.8 (97). The loss is the eighth single-figure loss to Fremantle this season, who went into the match without skipper Matthew Pavlich after he was a late withdrawal due to a foot injury. But Pavlich's absence did not prevent a close contest, and it was not until Richmond kicked the first four of the final term that a game which had been in the balance all afternoon, swung decisively one way. Matthew Richardson had been quiet all day but bobbed up with two crucial fourth quarter goals to steer the Tigers home. The visitors kicked remarkably accurately and to three-quarter time had missed just two set shots in their total of 13.5. But when endeavour was needed to break the game open in the final term, it was too little, too late for Freo – its last two goals coming after Richmond had taken hold of the contest with a 20-point lead. For the Tigers, Shane Tuck played a ripper, kicking a couple and causing havoc across half-forward. Brett Deledio was as safe, sure and creative as ever, Daniel Jackson was eye-catching and Troy Simmonds good around the ground as he ran away from Aaron Sandilands despite conceding the hitouts. For Fremantle, Roger Hayden was clearly the best for the visitors with an excellent display across half-back. Youngster Rhys Palmer was good again in the middle despite little support. and Luke McPharlin was good in a struggling defence. Paul Duffield continues to improve and Adam Campbell was also strong across half-back. The first term got off to a shocking start for the Tigers, with three Fremantle goals in the first six minutes, all from marks. Relief arrived with a major from Mitch Morton, but the quick reply from Ryan Murphy had it back out to 17 points. Richmond's mini-run of two on the trot should have been more save for inaccurate finishing and a late goal to Rhys Palmer, and a bizarre rushed behind when the Richmond defence punched it through after the siren, meant a seven-point break to the visitors at quarter time. The Tigers kicked the first two of the second term to grab the lead for the first time, but Freo responded with three of their own before the sides traded majors for the rest of the term. At the long break, the margin remained seven points in Freo's favour. The Tigers burst out of the blocks in the third, kicking three to go to a 13-point lead, but Fremantle countered with their own trio of goals and took a five-point lead to the final change. Richmond will now wait on the results of this round before gathering themselves for Melbourne next week, and a possible shot at the finals. Richmond 3.6 8.8 11.12 15.15 (105) Fremantle 5.1 10.3 13.5 15.8 (98) GOALS Richmond: Morton 3, Richardson 2, Tuck 2, Deledio 2, Jackson, Simmonds, Connors, Foley, Schultz, Newman Fremantle: Mark Johnson 3, Murphy 2, Bradley 2, Campbell, Mundy, Palmer, Drum, Headland, Thornton, Carr, Peake BEST Richmond: Tuck, Deledio, Jackson, Edwards, Simmonds, Foley, Connors Fremantle: Hayden, Palmer, McPharlin, Duffield, Campbell INJURIES Richmond: Nil Fremantle: Nil Reports: Nil Umpires: Schmitt, Ellis, Mollinson Official crowd: 24,881 at the MCG |