Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt enjoyed the ultimate villain to hero redemption story after he kicked a career-best 11-goal haul in the 113-point AFL flogging of Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.
Riewoldt kicked 11.2 as the Tigers strolled to a 24.10 (154) to 5.11 (41) victory at Spotless Stadium and improved their season record to 3-6.
GWS, who started the round with the same record as Richmond, were on the wrong end of a 100-point plus scoreline for a second straight game, as they crashed to a sixth straight loss.
The Tigers spearhead provided the perfect response after coach Damien Hardwick slammed him earlier in the week for saying Richmond had unsuccessfully tried to copy Hawthorn’s game style.
Riewoldt said it had been an emotional week.
“I was pretty devastated with how it came across, I let the coach down, I let the side down,” Riewoldt said.
“Today I was coming in with the mindset of just trying to pay the faith back in Dimma (Hardwick) and the boys and the footy club.”
Riewoldt, whose previous best haul was 10 against West Coast at the MCG in 2010, kicked four in the first quarter, three in the second, four in the third, before missing his two shots in the last quarter and potentially gave up another goal to skipper Trent Cotchin.
Hardwick was delighted with that unselfish play and Riewoldt’s early defensive work and said the forward had responded the way he wanted him to.
“A kick in the backside last week, but we move on pretty quick and he answered the best way possible.” Hardwick said.
Giants coach Leon Cameron said his team’s performance was unacceptable and even more disappointing than in the last round, when West Coast hammered them by 110 points in Perth.
“The issue is us 22 competing for longer and we served up about 25 minutes and the rest was tripe,” Cameron said after the Giants’ first game at their main home venue in six rounds.
Richmond kicked 13 straight goals after the two teams exchanged the first two majors of the match, with GWS not kicking their second six-pointer until the second minute of the third term.
The Tigers first 12 scoring shots were goals, as they kicked 8.0 to 1.5 in the first quarter, then doubled their 37-point advantage by halftime.
Rhys Palmer and Jeremy Cameron, kicked successive goals to trim the deficit to 62, but it proved a false dawn.
Richmond slammed on the next seven goals to swell their buffer to 103 points at the last change.
With Shaun Hampson competing well against the rusty Shane Mumford in the ruck and their midfield running riot Richmond looked more like the side that charged to the finals last year.
Even the return of several key players and over 450 games of AFL experience couldn’t help GWS.
Richmond dominated despite losing Dan Jackson to an early leg injury.
lyn
Guest
Yeah but I would much rather go and support my team in the Gold Coast than at GWS. Ho Hum
Michael huston
Guest
It's good to see the bags making a bit of a comeback. I do miss the days when big forwards would consistently get huge numbers week in, week out. Reiwoldt and Kennedy are as hot and cold as a potato. Richmond need more avenues at goal though. The best teams are the ones that have an even spread of kickers.
Tad
Roar Rookie
Richmond have a very large base across the country.
Graeme Spurrell
Roar Rookie
Surely you're pulling a leg? I've seen a lot of footy and 11 goals is without doubt an extraordinary achievement in a genuine competition.
Stavros
Guest
You are wrong Joe b. There are loads of Richmond supporters all over the country. When they came up to the Gold Coast this year they were everywhere, and they got nearly 20k to the game. I've been in other parts of the country and its the same thing. I hate to agree with Barrett but in this case he is right.
joe b
Guest
Damian Barrett (sp?), the ch9 sunday footy show panelist, says he was really surprised at the low crowd because 'richmond are a very big club throughout the country'...what a dumb insular comment, richmond are big in Melbourne...carlton,essendon, magpies, hawthorn are big melbourne clubs that can claim large support throughout the country. Richmond don't have the same kind of fan base because they have not had any success during the AFL era...or the 80s.
Gecko
Guest
If Richmond sacked Hardwick, they'd be back to square one. Hardwick lifted the team from a laughing stock to a finals birth, and has clearly done some things well, even if his tactical genius on match day may not be a strength (neither is Malthouse's but he's still achieved ultimate success). This could still turn out OK for Riewoldt if the Tigers injected a bit more class and intensity into the midfield (they could recruit or develop a Kieran Jack type) so the delivery to Riewoldt was faster and more accurate. Riewoldt is best value leading fast at the ball then doubling back quickly if necessary (he's quicker than most to pick up the flight of the ball), so he needs space and fast delivery.
Radelaide
Guest
To busy trying to play like Hawthorn.
Storm Boy
Guest
Looked a lot more than 8,331 there.
slane
Guest
I'm guessing you haven't been to the footy much this year Gene? Only one forward I can think of that doesn't work up the ground and he plays for your mob.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
Not all that extraordinary, given it was done just last week. It seems GWS has some sort of special offer going on, where if you kick 5 goals you get an additional 6 pressure free.
Neil from Warrandyte
Guest
I was at the game and saw Jack running up and down the ground all day creating space for himself in the forward line. He certainly wasn't tied to the goalsquare. The difference was the lack of pressure from the giants all over the ground. As for Hardwick, Richmond are a different beast this time, unlike in previous eras, and won't sack the coach because of a temporary form slump. I'd expect Hardwick to at least see out his current contract.
Stephen
Guest
Fair call Gene. Not sure how it will unfold at Richmond. But I strongly suspect Hardwick and Riewoldt are highly incompatible. One of them will go.
Cat
Roar Guru
I wouldn't put too much stock into what Hardwick says anymore, he won't last as a coach much longer. Jack kicking 11 on the weekend just shows how utterly incompetent Hardwick is as a coach for not playing Jack in the goal square all year.
Stephen
Guest
I can't say I've ever been a massive fan of Jack Riewolt's. However, 11 goals in today's game is extraordinary. What struck me was the coach's response. Hardwick said he loved his defensive work! Give me a spell! We have 165 Assistant Coaches in the AFL. And we Aussies are like sheep. When will one coach have the courage to insist at least one forward remains near the attacking goal-square for the entire game?