Port Adelaide have claimed an important win and moved to a 3-3 record with a 35-point victory over Richmond on Saturday night.
REPORT: MORE MISERY FOR TIGERS
The Tigers scored just a single point in the final quarter, in saying that though, Port only scored 15 points as well so it was pretty quiet in the final stages of the game.
The Tigers looked dejected in the final quarter, their season is definitely slipping in the early stages as the Power look to kick off towards a top eight spot.
Final score
Richmond 8.11 (59)
Port Adelaide 13.16 (94)
The Richmond Tigers and Port Adelaide Power are both in need of a win tonight to get their season kick started. Join The Roar for all the highlights and action coming out of the MCG from 7:25pm (AEST).
The Tigers did manage a win in their season opener against Carlton but have since lost the next four in a row coming into this game.
Despite going down by a single point against Collingwood, Richmond haven’t put up a lot of fight so far this year and are struggling in 14th spot on percentage.
The Power have also struggled to find their feet this season, copping it on and off the field in sensational fashion, most notably from their own club President, David Koch.
TV personality Kochie has been criticised for his aggressive comments towards his own players and airing personal conversations, creating a substantial off-field distraction for the 22 men on the park in the last few weeks.
Sitting just two rungs higher on the ladder than tonight’s opposition, Port have struggled with inconsistency in the opening rounds of season 2016. Including a big 61-point win over the Bombers in round 3, only to back it up with a mammoth 86-point loss to the Giants the very next week.
Alex Rance has been a big talking point coming out of the Tigers camp this week, the defender accepted a two week ban for a reckless strike to the head of Jack Watts in last week’s loss to the Demons.
In other team news for the Tigers, star player Brett Deledio will finally play his first match of 2016, returning from a quad injury sustained during the preseason, while an injury cloud still hangs over Jack Riewoldt who has been named in the squad, despite an uncooperative ankle.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has been forced to make a handful of changes himself, including Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard who will miss out with hamstring and concussion issues respectively.
Big ruckman Matthew Lobbe has been unceremoniously dropped from Hinkley’s line-up and will be replaced by 20-year-old Dougal Howard who will make just his second AFL appearance.
Prediction
If this game was being played at the back end of last year it would have been for a finals spot, but it’s hard to pick two sides at the wrong end of the standings with plenty to play for.
Interestingly, the last time these two met at the MCG it was an even 106-all draw.
Port are missing a handful of good players and it’s never a good idea to tip this way but, Richmond are probably due for a good performance.
Tigers to win by 10 in a close one.
Can Richmond bounce back from four losses on the trot? Or will the Power crash the MCG and give their slow season a push towards the top eight? Follow all the Round 6 AFL action from 7:25pm (AEST) on The Roar.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Shaun Grigg, really? He let Polec off the chain all night. Broadbent was best on ground, followed by wines and Martin.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Port did a pretty good shut down job on the tiges, every possession hard earned, they were rarely ever able to release a team mate in space, going the other way, Port were able to do it over and over
Connor Bennett
Editor
The Roar's AFL MVP points: 3 - Shaun Grigg with 32 disposals, 2 goals, 15 contested posssions, 9 clearances and 5 inside 50's 2 - Matthew Broadbent with 25 disposals, 1.2 shooting and 7 inside 50's 1 - Jarman Impey with 3 goals, 13 disposals and a team high 6 marks
Connor Bennett
Editor
The Tigers looked dejected in the final quarter, their season is definitely slipping in the early stages as the Power look to kick off towards a top eight spot
Connor Bennett
Editor
Hardwick could be under a bit of pressure after this start to the season
Connor Bennett
Editor
The Tigers scored just a single point in the final quarter, in saying that though, Port only scored 15 points as well so it was pretty quiet in the final stages of the game
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME The siren sounds and most of the Tigers players hang their head. Damien Hardwick looking entirely unimpressed up in the commentary box. Richmond 8.11 (59) Power 11.16 (94)
dan indevon
Guest
Will be some questions asked in Tigerland! But still early days in a long season
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Westoff through the centre sending a kick towards the Tigers defensive 50, no one really on to it and the Tigers just let it go back to the opposition. Power killing time. Richmond 8.11 (59) Power 11.16 (94)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Less than two minutes remaining. Riewodlt goes leaping for the mark in the forward 50 but there's too much traffic in the pack and he can't hold on to it. Power spreading it across field now and taking all the time in the world to play on Richmond 8.11 (59) Power 11.16 (94)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Power just knocking it around at the back. Left to right and back to the left again before looking for space up the right wing. Not a lot of urgency from either side but the Tigers are still fighting for something here Richmond 8.11 (59) Power 11.16 (94)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Brad Ebert sinks a behind off the left boot to add one more to the lead. Porbably could have sunk the goal but it doesn't matter too much at this stage Richmond 8.11 (59) Power 11.16 (94)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' The pace of the game has slowed down big time in the last minute or so. Port are just happy to control the pill across the back to kill time with less than five minutes to go Richmond 8.11 (59) Power 11.15 (93)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Port flying up the right wing with Dixon waiting in the forward 50, two on one against the bearded Dixon and the Tigers get the clearance away. Port right on top now. Richmond 8.11 (59) Power 11.14 (92)
Jack
Guest
Hardwick must see the end is near... To be fair a very over rated list. I guess the issue is a lot of their big stars are 27/28 so no real time to win a premiership while they are still in prime
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Ball stuck in traffic around mid field, Richmond get the clearance up field but they don't have a lot of men up front. Port send it straight back up field. Richmond 8.11 (59) Power 11.14 (92)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Ball in on the far side of the field. Tigers are looking deflated at the moment with the game slipping away as the Power again win possession of the restart and send it flying towards the forward 50 Richmond 8.11 (59) Power 11.14 (92)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL POWER!! Dixon with a brace from the set kick right in front and the game is all but over for the home side. Richmond 8.11 (59) Power 11.14 (92)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL POWER!!! Impey sinks his third on the run from right in front. The game is slipping away from the Tigers Richmond 8.11 (59) Power 11.13 (79)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Tight footy around midfield. Neither side really finding any space or ball retention for that matter. Port take it back inside their defensive 50 and look to build back up field Richmond 8.11 (59) Power 11.13 (79)