The Richmond Tigers notched their fifth straight when they downed the Greater Western Sydney Giants by 27 points in their clash at the MCG.
The mathematical finals door remains open for the Tigers with the loss by Adelaide to West Coast earlier in the afternoon helping their chances.
Led by midfield stars Brett Deledio, Brandon Ellis and Trent Cotchin the Tigers were able to kick away in a dominate the second quarter to create an unassailable lead.
Phil Davis was stout in defense for the Giants holding Jack Riewoldt to one goal after his eleven goal haul the last time these two teams met. At the opposite end Alex Rance had an entertaining duel with GWS spearhead Jonathan Patton. Rance provided important drive from defense while Patton provided a strong target but was wasteful in front of goal.
The game saw Richmond’s key midfield Reece Conca being reported for striking Devon Smith with a blow to the back of the head as they headed to the interchange bench.
Petterd, Deledio and Martin each kicked 2 goals for the Tigers, while for the Giants Patton and Boyd kicked 2 apiece.
The Tigers will play Essendon next Friday in a blockbuster which will prove vital to both teams finals chances.
FINAL SCORE:
TIGERS 13.11 89
GIANTS 8.14 62
The Richmond Tigers will aim to keep their slim finals hopes alive as they duke it out with Greater Western Sydney Giants at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:40pm (AEST).
It was a one sided contest the last time these two teams meet in Sydney with the Tigers romping to a 154-41 victory and Jack Reiwoldt having a day out kicking 11 goals.
The Tigers have won four on the trot to restore some pride to their season and still remain an outside shot to make the finals.
The team will want to send retiring cult hero Jake “Push-up” King out on a happy note by notching a win in his honour.
‘Punch Gate’ sees Tyrone Vickery suspended for the next four matches although Richmond have his position well covered with Ben Lennon and Ben Griffiths in good form in the VFL.
Meanwhile GWS have lost four on the trot, most of them badly, but they gave Geelong a shake in their last match.
The Giants’ focus is now on development with an eye to next season. Their mounting injury list has Jeremy Cameron and Lachie Whitfield having season ending surgeries joining Stephen Coniglio and Tim Mohr as key players set to miss the remainder of the year.
On a positive note Heath Shaw returns from a minor brain bleed caused by colliding with Kurt Tippets knee.
The midfield battle will hold most of the interest for the game with Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Brandon Ellis and ex-GWS player Anthony Miles to go up against Callan Ward, Adam Treloar, Dylan Shiel and Toby Greene. There will be no easy balls in the centre of the ground for this match.
GWS lead the league in centre clearances and if they are any shot they need to help their porous defence by winning ball out of the middle and getting it long and strong to man-child and recent rising star nominee, Jonathan Patton.
If Richmond can even remain close in centre clearances they should have the players to control the play and win the match.
He torched them last time they met, how many will Jack kick this time?
Prediction:
Hard not to tip Richmond who seem to have found their feet over the last couple of weeks and still have a lot to play for in this match.
GWS can be frisky on their day but injuries have taken some class players from their team with the season taking a physical toll on their young bodies.
Richmond by 55.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:40pm (AEST).
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
Thanks everyone who dropped by today. Well done to the Tigers and may your teams all win this weekend. That's all from me today, signing off.
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
Touche!
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
TIGERS 13.11 89 GIANTS 8.14 62 GOALS Richmond: Petterd 2, Deledio 2, Martin 2, Cotchin, Thomas, S.Edwards, Griffiths, Ellis, Riewoldt, Houli Giants: Boyd 2, Patton 2, Hoskin-Elliott, Ward, Treloar, Palmer DISPOSALS: Richmond: Ellis 34, Deledio 31, Cotchin 30 Giants: Treloar 29, Greene 27, Ward 26 My best were 3. Deledio 2. Ellis 1. Cotchin
Sancho
Guest
Richmond still a chance to get that elusive 9th position
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
The stats which told the story for the two teams were: Tigers won the inside 50's - 57 to 44 Tigers won the contested possession - 128 to 98 Tigers won the center clearances - 14 - 7 Giants won the tackle count - 54 to 31
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
The Tigers take care of business and defeat a spirited Giants team. It was a reasonably even game outside of the Tigers second quarter blitz which separated the two teams. The class of the Richmond midfield was on show with Cotchin, Deledio and Ellis each recording over 30 disposals and each hit the scoreboard. Rance and Houli were important setting up drive from defense with Petterd, Edward and Martin dangerous in attack. The Giants midfield was hard working led by Greene, Ward and Treloar but they simply lacked some polish. Their defense was lost at times, tripping over themselves when the long balls come in. Patton and Boyd are the future and Hoskin-Elliott is leaping excitement machine. With Essendon and Adelaide losing the bottom half of the eight is opening up and if the Tigers can maintain their play anything is possible. The Tigers clash against Essendon next week will be huge for both teams. Conca is unlikely to play which is unfortunate, his brain fade which saw him elbow Devon Smith in the back of the head should see 1-2 week ban.
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Tigers win by 27 points.
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS Patton uses his considerable bulk to bump Rance away and take the mark. His shot is across the face for a behind. RICH 13.11.89 GWS 8.14.62 Q4 1.10
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
GOAL TIGERS The Tigers come out of defense and hit the leading Martin at half forward. He handballs it over the top to a dashing Houli who sends a helicopter over the goal umpires head. RICH 13.11.89 GWS 8.13.61 Q4 2.20
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
Cotchin wins a free to the jeers of the crowd. They obviously feel the tactics against him have been unfair today.
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS Long ball in and Chaplin nurses the ball over the line for a rushed behind. RICH 12.11.83 GWS 8.12.60 Q4 5.53
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
Ellis with 10 possessions in the quarter so far taking his tally up to 33, he is a star!
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
BEHIND TIGERS A patient buildup by the Tigers has Riewoldt making the ball on the 50 and popping it over the top to Martin running back to goal. His shot strays to the left for a behind. RICH 12.11.83 GWS 8.11.59 Q4 9.21
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
Its feeling like the calm before the storm at the moment.
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS A holding the ball decision goes against Matt Thomas, then the resulting scuffle sees a 50m penalty against the Tigers. Devon Smith takes the shot but misses. RICH 12.10.82 GWS 8.11.59 Q4 11.43
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
Some great pressure from the Tigers on the wing to hold GWS up.
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
Everything about Hoskin-Elliott reminds me of Brett 'Birdman' Burton.
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
GOAL GIANTS Hoskin-Elliott threads the needle and hits Ryce Palmer on the chest with a wonderful kick. From 45m out on a slight angle Palmer nails it and the Giants players are pumped. RICH 12.10.82 GWS 8.10.58 Q4 15.33
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
GOAL GIANTS Patton marks the ball deep in the forward line on a slight angle. He slots it to lift the hopes of his teammates. RICH 12.10.82 GWS 7.10.52 Q4 17.42
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
GOAL TIGERS Quick goal by the Tigers, out of the center Martin is hit up on the lead who then chips the ball to a leading Riewoldt in the pocket. He makes no mistake and kicks a great goal. RICH 12.10.82 GWS 6.10.46 Q4 19.01