Spearhead Jack Riewoldt kicked six goals as a resurgent Richmond crashed Sydney’s party and scored a stunning 18-point victory over the Swans at the SCG on Friday.
The Tigers kicked 11 goals to three in the second half to overturn a 33-point third quarter deficit and record a 14.11 (95) TO 11.11 (77) win.
It was Richmond’s fifth win from their last six games and another stirring road effort, adding to earlier away wins against Brisbane, Port Adelaide and Fremantle.
Having strike forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett put on report added further anxiety for the Swans.
Franklin had his number taken in the second quarter after he collected Shane Edwards with a bump to the head, though the Tiger played on after absorbing the initial contact.
Edwards didn’t start the second half, undergoing a concussion test, though he did return to the game.
Tippett was booked for a late high hit on Dylan Grimes in the third quarter.
Franklin was completely dominated by Alex Rance after being booked, failing to add to his two first half goals.
Prior to the game, Sydney had cause to celebrate with gun midfielder Dan Hannebery signing a five-year contract extension and the vast majority of the Swans 2005 premiership-winning team driven around the field.
Over 37,000 fans, Sydney’s biggest home crowd of the season, witnessed a stunning second half turnaround, with Riewoldt, Rance, Trent Cotchin and Ty Vickery prominent.
A tight opening quarter featured six lead changes, with neither side getting more than six points ahead.
The second quarter was virtually one-way traffic with Sydney kicking 5.3 to 1.1 to sell their six-point first quarter lead to 32 by halftime.
The pendulum started to swing back towards the Tigers in the third quarter as they slammed on four straight goals, with Cotchin triggering the revival with a remarkable goal, which he kicked of the ground from a horizontal position.
Tom Mitchell and Luke Parker appeared to have steadied the Sydney ship with two goals in a minute, but Richmond refused to crumble.
Riewoldt kicked the first goal of the final quarter to get them ahead by nine and the Swans had four shots without landing a goal before Kurt Tippett levelled the score.
It was the last hurrah of a beaten side as goals to Riewoldt, Ivan Maric and Anthony Miles secured a famous Richmond win.
Franklin was placed on report for rough conduct and Tippett for striking, but Tigers coach Damien Hardwick wasn’t convinced either Swan would be in trouble.
“I think they will both be okay, which is alright, we want to see the good players playing,” Hardwick said.
Neither he nor Swans counterpart John Longmire was convinced the reports adversely affected Franklin and Tippett, even though they had little influence after halftime.
Hardwick said his players showed great poise and character.
“We looked down and out at halftime and the second quarter was as poor as we have played for quite some period of time,” Hardwick said.
“I thought the Swans monstered us around scrimmage and got the ball going forward.
“To their credit Trent (Cotchin), Brett (Deledio), (ruckman) Ivan Maric, all the leaders stood up and delivered when it mattered most.”
Longmire said there was an extraordinary drop off between the first half and second-half performances.
“Our work rate dropped and they lifted,” Longmire said.,
“If you looked at all the stats, we had 22 fewer ground balls in the second half, we had 31 fewer contested possessions.”
Mitcher
Guest
Geez you go on. I'll say it again: you support a team that is currently in regular contention for flags. Enjoy it. Won't last forever.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
'I know I sound like a bitter, sore loser...' Nobody's arguing with you there Michael.
Roger of Sydney
Guest
I have to agree with Michael, Sydney toyed with Richmond in the first half then they just stopped. When they play well they are unbeatable but too many times they have given up leads to basic teams. Richmond played well but the Swans were shocking in the second half. It is the first year that I have seen an arrogance slip into the swans, they certainly have got the talent but there is a bit missing. First thing they should do is sell Tippet and buy another ruck, bring back Kelley and Captain Kirk
Wilson
Roar Guru
Tigers are a dangerous side this year if they play like they did in that second half and the game against Freo they will be able to role a lot of the top teams they have left to play
Jason H
Roar Rookie
Seemed to me that Buddy & Co spent a little too much time trying to unsettle Rance instead of concentrating on what their overpaid role is. Tigers played a hell of a half of football to roll over the Swans and have shown again how much they have grown as a team. Buddy should get at least a week, took his eyes off the ball and lined up Edwards. Tippet, overrated clown that he is should also get at least a week, reckless elbow to the head. At the end of the day though I really don't care, we took the 4pts and now look forward to the next challenge. Goodes should also get a week, why, because he is a clown, struggling for relevance in the twilight of his career, and don't think we didn't see the whack you gave to Taylor's nuts you flog. Keep up the great work Tigers!
mark dickson
Guest
Michael. Just pull your head in and give credit when it is due. Richmond were not given this game on a platter they earned it by beating a team with a style of footy that the swans have built a reputation on. You supporters of successful clubs are so arrogant that when you do lose a game it is always your club playing a bad game. Real supporters say beaten by a better team and move on to next week.
Michael Huston
Guest
It shouldn't be considered an upset when Sydney are beaten, because they too often best themselves. Learned nothing about Richmond, still not convinced. What I did learn is that after some months ofconsideration, Sydney are now undoubtedly the weakest team in the AFL. Not talent wise, but mentally. Look at round 1 v GWS 2014, round 4 v North Melbourne, the grand final v Hawthorn, round 5 v Western Bulldogs.... If you actually look back at those games (which I actually have unfortunately), it's not hard to see they are some of the single worst performances the game has seen. If it were an under 18s side, or a developing/rebuilding side like GWS or Brisbane, then fine, that standard would be expected. But Sydney are capable of being the best team in the league. They were in 2012, and they were in 2014. It's simply not acceptable that these performances are STILL happening. I know I sound like a bitter, sore loser, and it's customary to give your opponents credit where it's due. But Richmond are now just another side in a long line of teamsthat have had wins handed to them by the Swans on a silver platter. If change doesn't come soon - and it has to be long-lasting, substantial change - then I'll actually begin to question if John Longmire is the right person to be motivating this team. I've always been the first to heap praise on Horse, and I'm not saying he's the problem. But for the past year and a half, this Swans team have given too many performances where it's actually typical now. We were once renowned for our toughness and relentlessness. Even I associate this team with laziness, arrogance with the occasional momeny of brilliance. So.. go figure. There's obviously trouble in paradise, and I don't think it makes me a bad supporter to want to get that out in the open.
WhereIsGene
Guest
How long's it been since the MRP suspended a Sydney player? 2 or 3 years I think. Franklin would've gone for 3-4 for that bump when he played for Hawthorn but after switching jumpers a verdict of "Insufficient force" wouldn't surprise me. Goodes' bump on Selwood last year looked worse (jumped to make contact) and Franklin's hit on that Gold Coast player was a nasty one too. Like Hardwick said after the game, "I think they will both be OK, we want to see the good players playing". Which wasn't the case when Hodge & Lewis were rubbed out but the MRP's motivations & changes of heart have always been tricky to predict. At least almost always.