The Richmond Tigers have back-to-back wins for the first time in 2016 after they bested a poor Fremantle side by 38 points in torrid conditions on Saturday night.
REPORT: COTCHIN LEADS TIGERS TO WIN
Final score
Fremantle Dockers 6.9.45
Richmond Tigers 11.17.83
The Richmond Tigers will be looking to build on their gallant one-point victory last week when they take on the bottom-placed Fremantle Dockers Saturday night at Domain Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:40pm (AEST).
The Tigers victory over the Sydney Swans broke a six-game losing streak coming back from a three-goal deficit at three quarter time and revived their hopes of a finals place.
Led by midfield duo Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin plus a career-best five-goal performance from Ben Griffiths, the Tigers kicked more than 100 points for the first time this season, storming home with a seven-goal last quarter, including the winner after the siren from Sam Lloyd.
The Dockers are coming off a 41-point loss to the Hawks, although they played well for three quarters and led the Hawks at half time. However an abysmal third quarter where they had only 15 effective kicks saw Hawthorn score on nearly every inside 50 entry, scoring eight goals, seven behinds from 18 entries.
Lachie Neale, who averages more disposals than any other player in the League, led the way with support from David Mundy and Stephen Hill but as has been the case all season, the Dockers could not put four quarters together.
Both of these teams have struggled this season to get enough drive from midfield and both have always struggled to move the ball from their backline. This is shown in the stats where both teams along with Essendon rank the lowest in the league with inside 50s.
The Tigers won’t be helped in this regard as their attacking half back flanker Bachar Houli is out injured for 12 weeks. However, they do regain captain Trent Cotchin. The Dockers welcome back veteran bookends, Matthew Pavlich and Zac Dawson.
The Dockers David Mundy kicked the winner in the final minute the last time these two teams met late last season at the MCG.
The Tigers record out west hasn’t been too bad. They beat the Dockers last time they met early last season at Domain Stadium and got within one point the previous meeting.
Prediction
If the Tigers midfield can give their forwards enough supply it will be hard for the undersized Dockers defence to keep Riewoldt, Vickery and Griffiths at bay.
Judging by both teams performances this season it could be a matter of which turns the ball over the least that decides the winner.
Tigers by 8 points.
Henry
Guest
I can't remember a side who has played so badly. This team is awful, just awful Has an awful look of Melbourne FC during the many dark days. This team is shot for 10+ years
Simoc
Guest
I turned it off.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Gee the Dockers are a rabble. Embarrassing display again.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
VOTES 3. Trent Cotchin (Rich) - easy decision, 39 possessions, 18 contested, 8 tackles and 10 clearances, a very good night's work. 2. Dustin Martin (Rich) - used the ball as good as anyone and also imposing physical presence. 1. Lachie Neale (Frem) - a couple of Tigers unlucky not to get this vote but Neale was clearly Dockers best and they would have lost by a lot more without him Thanks for joining us tonight and remember to keep ROARING tomorrow by joining us for the rest of the round's games.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Richmond made two wins in a row at Domain Stadium after over coming the Dockers and near cyclonic conditions to win by 38 points. Conditions marred the spectacle tonight as both teams struggled with both heavy rain and very windy conditions not seen for some time. In fairness to the Tigers though, they simply made the most of their opportunities and were by far the better team on the night. They used the ball better although that’s not saying much as Fremantle continually butchered the ball out of defence and going forward. Former skipper Matthew Pavlich had a very quiet night and Freo badly lacked a target even though their disposal was poor. The Tigers were led by Trent Cotchin who finished with 39 possessions 18 of which were contested. Like many his kicks didn’t always hit the mark but he worked tirelessly all night, continually winning the hard ball and dishing it off to teamamtes finishing with a game high ten clearances. Dustin Martin was one of the more polished players on the ground and finished with 30 possessions and 75% kicking efficiency. The Tigers defence was solid all night continually pressing the Dockers forwards and causing them to turn over the ball. The Dockers were once again disappointing and they now own a 0-9 win/loss record after being 9-0 at the same time last season. An extraordinary turn around in 12 months!! Tonight only Lachie Neale provided ny real resistance supported by David Mundy and Danyle Pearce. Dockers look stale and in need of some fresh ideas and players. A very forgettable game tonight but to Tigers coach Damien Hardwick and his players it was a crucial four points as they look to revive their season.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
FINAL SIREN at Domain Stadium and the Tigers have done it easily by 38 points FREM 6 . 9 . 45 RICH 11 . 17 . 83
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Dockers make a rare forward 50 entry and Walters kicks off the grounf for a GOAL. FREM 6 . 8 . 44 RICH 11 . 17 . 83 Q4 1 mins remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Steven Morris and Clancee Pearce in a bad clash...Morris seems to have come off the worst. Coming off now.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Last 5 mins now and Tigers by 45 points
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Tigers lead inside 50 count this qtr 14-5
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Menadue with a very nice right foot snap from 30m out after a hand ball from Cotchin kicks another GOAL. FREM 5 . 8 . 38 RICH 11 . 15 . 81 Q4 8 mins remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Alex Pearce has rolled his ankle and being helped off. Tigers by 37 with 12 mins remaining.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Free kick to Lloyd 55 out....passes short to Deledio who will kick from 45. Just misses to the right. FREM 5 . 7 . 37 RICH 10 . 14 . 74 Q4 15 mins remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
No...he's staying on for now
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Riewoldt seems to be holding his arm and now coming off.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Deledio hand balls to Edwards who from 55m and near the boundary kicks a very long goal on the back of a very strong wind. FREM 5 . 7 . 37 RICH 10 . 10 . 70 Q4 18 mins remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Last qtr under way...
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Freo actually lead the inside 50 count 34-29 but Tigers have been more efficient with their ball use although in these conditions that has been a very difficult task.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME and the Tigers lead by 27 points. FREM 5 . 7 . 37 RICH 9 . 10 . 64
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Nice play by Pavlich who's been quiet all night, screws the ball around to give Ballantyne and Langdon a chance to run on to it...Langdon kicks off the ground for the GOAL. FREM 5 . 7 . 37 RICH 9 . 10 . 64 Q3 3 mins remaining