A ripper of a contest at the home of football in the traditional timeslot as Hawthorn and Richmond do battle in a huge game for the Tigers. Live scores and commentary kicks off from 2.10pm AEST.
A big crowd is expected for this afternoon’s match with the Hawks in imperious form, while the Tigers are in their best form arguably since the early 1980s.
Hawthorn showed their superiority last Friday night when they wiped the floor with the Bombers, with Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead combining for 12 goals in a devastating performance.
Knowing that the rest of the competition is trying to gain ground, the Hawks’ run into the finals is fierce, starting with this game.
They should not be taking the Tigers lightly, despite the current form they find themselves in.
Last year’s runners-up ended up copping a hiding from the Tigers in the only game they played against each other last year by over ten goals!
No doubt the midfield of Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis will be important.
It is imperative that the defensive line hold up, with Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt lurking.
Brian Lake seems a new man in new clothes at the Hawks, while he’ll get some help from one of the best defenders of the year, Josh Gibson.
Richmond will undoubtedly be hoping Reiwoldt gets the same sort of freedom that he found in last year’s Round 9 game, where he booted six goals.
Last week was a serious test for the Tigers, facing up against an intimidating Sydney Swans team in the harbour city.
The loss didn’t necessarily mean a fail, but they certainly knew after the final siren that they’re still a fair way off the top two or three teams.
Realistically, they have one more testing match before the finals begin – that will be in the final round against the Bombers (and who knows what team they will be like at that point).
So the Tigers have to go full-on this afternoon.
The midfield battle will be important for the Tigers with the likes of Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio and Daniel Jackson to continue their strong form throughout the season.
Today’s battle is about belonging with the big boys – so far they’ve failed on most of the tests of wills.
But if they can keep the firey forwards of the Hawks quiet in some way throughout the game, there’s a chance the Tigers can put up a fair old fight.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Yeah, Richmond never really beats anyone, the losing team merely ALWAYS plays a shocker. Twelve times this season so far.
JR Salazar
Guest
Disgusting performance from Hawthorn. There, Zach. Happy?
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Richmond 16.11 (107) def. Hawthorn 9.12 (66) The AFL season may have been turned on its head a little in the last 24 hours. Both Geelong and Hawthorn lose. It keeps Sydney, Fremantle and Essendon a chance at stealing a top two spot now. And for the Tigers, with their run home... they could almost steal a top four spot if a couple of the sides above them stumble. A fantastic game of footy at the MCG. Richmond seal up their finals spot - no doubt about that. Thanks for joining me this arvo. Twitter - @TheSportsFreak
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Richmond 16.11 (107) def. Hawthorn 9.12 (66) Quarter by Quarter Hawthorn 3.4 6.8 7.10 9.12 (66) Richmond 6.4 6.6 10.10 16.11 (107) Goalscorers HAW (7) – Paul Puopolo 2, Lance Franklin 1, Jordan Lewis 1, Isaac Smith 1, Shaun Burgoyne 1, Brent Guerra 1, Jonathon Ceglar 1 RICH (10) – Jack Riewoldt 3, Luke McGuane 2, Shane Edwards 2, Matt White 2, Daniel Jackson 2, Ivan Maric 1, Chris Newman 1, Nathan Foley 1, Dustin Martin 1, Shane Tuck 1 Team Stats Disposals: RICH 375-330; Disposal Efficiency: HAW 72%-70%; Kicking Efficiency: HAW 63%-64%; Contested Possessions: RICH 147-114; Uncontested Possessions: RICH 228-216; Marks: HAW 90-82; Clearances: RICH 54-36; Hitouts: RICH 51-43 (To Advantage: RICH 14-7); Tackles: HAW 78-60; Inside 50’s: HAW 48-46 Player Stats Trent Cotchin (RICH) 34 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 6 marks, 9 clearances, 9 tackles, 4 inside 50’s Isaac Smith (HAW) 29 disposals, 7 contested possessions, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 5 inside 50’s, 1 goal, 1 goal assist Bachar Houli (RICH) 28 disposals, 5 marks, 3 rebound 50’s, 5 inside 50’s Brett Deledio (RICH) 27 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50’s
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Richmond 16.11 (107) def. Hawthorn 9.12 (66) "We're from Tigerland" being sung. "YELLOW AND BLACK" sounded bloody loud, even though they're the away team today. There's some 25,000 Tiger faithful at the MCG today, and they're going to lap this one up!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Richmond 16.11 (107) def. Hawthorn 9.12 (66) There's the final siren! Richmond with a big upset this afternoon. They belong with the big boys on today's performance. A ripper second half of footy that saw 10 goals to 3 back half. The YELLOW AND BLACK Tiger Army will play finals!!! Richmond win by 41 points!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:42 left | HAW 9.12 (66) | RICH 16.11 (107) Jarryd Roughead wins a holding the ball call, after losing the footy for a high tackle. With the wet weather, a chance for Roughead to finally get on the board. Kicks long... but misses. Behind only.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:34 left | HAW 9.11 (65) | RICH 16.11 (107) Luke Hodge off one step, snaps from 25m out... and kicks a consolation goal for the Hawks
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:35 left | HAW 8.11 (59) | RICH 16.11 (107) Reece Conca has a quick kick for the Tigers to add to the list... but he misses
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:035 left | HAW 8.11 (59) | RICH 16.10 (106) Shane Savage with a long kick to the goals for the Hawks, but misses.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:00 left | HAW 8.10 (58) | RICH 16.10 (106) Plaudits required for both Alex Rance and Troy Chaplin for keeping Franklin and Roughead to a collective 1 goal today. Hardly sighted since quarter time.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:00 left | HAW 8.10 (58) | RICH 16.10 (106) The rain's tumbling down again! Richmond won't care at all...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:39 left | HAW 8.10 (58) | RICH 16.10 (106) Bachar Houli finds Matt White at half forward... Kicks it long to the hotspot - wants Maric... has to beat two. Can't mark, but knocks it onto Daniel Jackson. Dribbles along the ground in the pocket - GOAL!! Everything going right for the Tigers!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:00 left | HAW 8.10 (58) | RICH 15.10 (100) Attendance today - 64,324! Even with the wet weather predicted, that's a ripper crowd. I reckon there's a fair 20k chunk of Tigers supporters...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:57 left | HAW 8.10 (58) | RICH 15.10 (100) Trent Cotchin with a great contested mark at half back - 30th possession is a handball to Ellis, then a long kick towards the top of 50m. Daniel Jackson off one step unloads from 50m... GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!! Game Over! What a second half from the TIgers!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:04 left | HAW 8.10 (58) | RICH 14.10 (94) Out of the middle... finally fished out by Jackson to Cotchin. Kicks to half forward, Ellis kicks to the goal line... Duryea can't spoil it away... Matt White gathers and snaps a GOAL!!!! I think the nail's going into the coffin...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:00 left | HAW 8.10 (58) | RICH 13.10 (88) David Hale wins a free at the wing. Got it off to Shane Savage, who's just come off the bench. But his kick goes straight back to the Tigers! At half back, Stratton wrapped up, got it away for the Hawks. Lake then kicks high to the wing... Cotchin gathers, kicks it back to the half forward line... fisted over the line, ball in! If you're a Tigers fan, you're biting your fingernails. From the stoppage, Dustin Martin handballs out to Shane Edwards, snaps... eugh... oooo... HANG ON... GOAL!!! That never looked like it initially... swung brilliantly! The Tigers 30pts up again!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Puopolo becomes the first multiple goalscorer for the Hawks.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:40 left | HAW 8.10 (58) | RICH 12.10 (82) Shaun Grigg run down at half back by Puopolo. Handballs off to Savage... pumps it back inside 50... but the Tigers defence holds strong. They clear it to the middle. Back inside 50 though for the Hawks... Rioli, attempted snap, misses the footy. Comes out to Paul Puopolo... 20m out - GOAL!!! Massive goal that one. Can it spark something for the Hawks?!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 16:06 left | HAW 7.10 (52) | RICH 12.10 (82) The Hawks turnovers through the middle of the ground have really hurt them in the last 20 minutes or so. Another one results in a forward 50 entry for the Tigers... but runs out of bounds. Ball in - Newman marks a defensive kick at half back. Now uses Chaplin back in the middle of the ground... back to Newman, then Conca sells the candy to an opponent, handballs to Ellis... then a great kick inside 50 to Shane Tuck! From 48m out - GOAL!!!! The Tiger Army's in full voice now!!!