The Richmond Tigers have upset one of the top premiership favourites with a low-scoring 19-point win over the GWS Giants.
Final Score
Richmond 9.10 (64)
Giants 6.9 (45)
When the GWS Giants overcame the Richmond Tigers at Spotless Stadium in May, I was behind the goals when the improbable moment of Jeremy Cameron breaking free from the centre square and then scoring the goal occurred. Join The Roar from 1:10pm (AEST) for all the live scores, highlights and action.
The Giants members at that end of the ground were, of course, excited, but still amazed. The Giants, until the second part of that last quarter, were dominated by outstanding Richmond pressure and skills.
That was until Richmond started to crack, with the missing of easy set shots.
So it is that we come to the second act of this play, this time at the MCG, with Richmond supporters eagerly hoping for a squaring up of the result.
However, also at this time, Richmond come to the game with mostly good form – except for the still inexplicable St Kilda result – and the Giants limping their way through a set of last gasp draws and a comprehensive loss to the rampant Swans.
On the theme of limping, the Giants are still down in terms of injuries, with the first game hero Jeremy Cameron still out with a hamstring issue, and it was still clear last week that Devon Smith, Rory Lobb and Toby Greene are still not quite 100% in sync with what is required of them.
While it is good news for the team that Stephen Coniglio and Brett Deledio played well in the NEAFL game yesterday, there’s still no guarantees that it will be a smooth run for the supposed “Harlem Globetrotters.”
Partially as a result of the injuries, the Giants are debuting Albury academy player Will Setterfield, who will be watched keenly.
It is for this reason that we should be surprised that the Giants are clear favourites with bookmakers.
Richmond really should be clear favourites for a number of reasons. One of which is them being at home – the Giants have not played at the MCG since Round 1, 2016 and have only had one win at the venue.
Other reasons include the continuing domination of Dustin Martin; the emergence of Kane Lambert; the domination that Alex Rance has exhibited over the likes of Jonny Patton and the continuing experience and strength of veterans like Riewoldt and Cotchin.
For the Giants, the recent strengths for the club have been Callan Ward’s performances, along with the straight shooting of Patton, which makes the Rance vs Patton battle important.
There is one other element in their favour. The theme of Richmond missing easy set shots in front of goal remains problematic and continues to be an issue.
For the Giants, who used to be plagued by set shot yips in their early days, it has not been such an issue. During this tough part of the season, it has been their relatively straight kicking that has kept them in games.
This should be a tight game and worth a watch, even if you believe the Giants are a plastic team.
Leanne irving
Guest
Great win by the tigers so proud of them keep fighting tigers
Leanne irving
Guest
Great win by the tigers so proud of them keep fighting tigers
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
You're damn near the only one. Hooray for you!
Mark O'Sullivan
Roar Guru
Richmond have outplayed the Giants consistently through 3 quarters and thoroughly deserve this win. 2017 will not be the Giants' year - on the evidence of today, they will be lucky to make it to the finals.
Mark O'Sullivan
Roar Guru
Kelly's poor day is summed up with a missed shot on goal. Richmond 64 - Giants 45
Mark O'Sullivan
Roar Guru
Richmond have put this game to bed with a Castagna goal. Richmond 64 - Giants 44
Joe B
Guest
Time?
Mark O'Sullivan
Roar Guru
Telling has been the commentary style of Hudson - excited about Richmond, and referring to the Giants as "they". Now, "they" have scored a goal. This game is closer than it deserves to be - Richmond 8.9.57 to GWS 6.7.43
Mark O'Sullivan
Roar Guru
The messy, tightly contested game has returned, not leading to much progress on either side. It's hard for anyone to mark the ball. In amongst this, Shiel has left the field again, this time with a possible right shoulder injury.
Mark O'Sullivan
Roar Guru
The game still resembles a soccer match, with hanging onto the ball difficult for both sides,
XI
Roar Guru
Hooray! I'm not the only one
steveng
Roar Rookie
Go GWS, you can do it!!!
Mark O'Sullivan
Roar Guru
A soccer style kick ends up in the hands of Riewoldt. He misses the shot, a review showing that it was hitting the post. Richmond 57 - Giants 36
Bruce
Guest
I think he's a bit overrated too...
Mark O'Sullivan
Roar Guru
A slow moving forward movement from the Giants ends in a Josh Kelly goal. Tigers 56 - Giants 36
Mark O'Sullivan
Roar Guru
There has been discussion on the coverage of the Giants' not taking a risk and kicking it in hope to the forward 50. That, however, was the way they played in the last few weeks, which did not work for them.
big four sticks
Guest
It's Tiger time.
XI
Roar Guru
Nope. With 5 minutes to go they'd switch to the count-up clock. It was great. 2005 and '06 were all the more tense for the lack of knowing.
Mark O'Sullivan
Roar Guru
One telling point about this game is that a hero of the first Richmond - Giants game, Harry Perryman, has made crucial skill errors in this game, indicating that his inexperience is an issue for the Giants.
Joe B
Guest
Unfortunately I can't blame that for my tipping