The Richmond Tigers have killed off the GWS dream and made their way into the grand final where they will face the Adelaide Crows at the MCG.
A bag of four goals by second-year Tiger Daniel Rioli, all of them coming at crucial moments when the game hung in the balance, was perhaps the difference between the two clubs.
It wasn’t a beautiful game by any stretch, nor a game where stats told the story. It was a grind and a brutal midfield battle in which the Tigers proved superior.
There won’t be a dry eye in the house in Tigertown tonight as their historic Club heads into their first Grand Final in thirty-five years.
For the Giants, the skill and quality in their squad has once again failed to prove itself on the big stage and the young talent needs a harder edge in order to knock off teams that appear to be playing with more passion and heart.
The game started with a hot effort by the Tigers outfit to kick the first two goals in a minute, yet the Giants marched them quickly and the scores remained tight throughout the first and second quarters.
Dustin Martin made all the difference in the third quarter and continued into the fourth, making his mark on the contest and sending his team through to the biggest stage in AFL football.
The hit on Dylan Shiel will be one of the hotly debated issues through the week, with Trent Cotchin sweating on the result of the match review.
What a wonderful might for the club, the game and the people of Richmond. It reeks a little of the scenes we saw last year with the Bulldogs, however, this is Richmond’s moment and no matter where your support lies, it is difficult not to see the romance in the occasion.
David Ward
Roar Guru
Agree. What is good for Richmond is good for footy. I think most fair-minded people accept that.
I ate pies
Guest
Agree. It's good for footy
Kane
Guest
The more i watch it the more it looks like he was chasing body contact, it will be an interesting MRP this week.
Neil from Warrandyte
Guest
How refreshing it is Paul D
Neil from Warrandyte
Guest
You give me a laugh Shane ( Mr TV ratings panel dude), every time you comment on here. My team into its first grand final in 35 years and you just make me smile that little bit more.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Cameron Rose nailed it when he said there is some sort of bizarre rivalry of the most terrible when it comes to to the Tigers and the Dees. Its the main reason why I've stuck a billboard up advertising my MCC tickets for resale in easy view of Punt Rd, I simply can't bring myself to be there if the Tigers win through
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
Couldn't have said it any better myself, PaulD.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Fabulous outcome, regardless of who wins two decades of pain is ended Great result. One of Geelong, Sydney and Hawthorn aren't in the grand final for the first time since 2010
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
If he went for the ball, why didn't he reach for it?
Bunney
Roar Rookie
For real? I didn't see the game, but just watched a replay of the incident. Cotchin went hard for the ball, nothing more to say. Free kick for high contact, but that's all. Totally soft if he misses a GF for that. And I don't even like the Tigers! Go Cotchin during the week. Go the Crows next Saturday.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Go the Crows!
Pete
Guest
If Richmond wins next week it means that they were better than the other 17 teams in the competition.
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
MickyO, as always, no one cares what you have to say. It's been absolute tripe from the get go.
bloodssince1973
Roar Rookie
How many times will we read the following words this week? "...long to hold the premiership cup aloft." You hear it sometimes in the UK but in Australia too often! However I hope Richmond triumphs next week - I have close friends in Melbourne who support the club.
Kurt
Guest
Hey everyone, Shane is on the TV ratings panel! Just in case you missed it from the other 8 times he's mentioned it today.
mickyo
Guest
If Richmond win next week, they could possibly be the worst team to win a flag for some time, Collingwood in 1990 was pretty weak, they had Daicos, Brown and Millane and a couple of other decent footballers , whilst Richmond have Martin, Rance and Rewoildt, but in general across the board they are plodders.
Swannies
Guest
Richmond are on their way to a well-deserved premiership. All the momentum is with the Tigers now and Crows won't be able to stop them next Saturday. Can already see Hardwick and Cotchin holding up the cup after Beveridge and Murphy last year.
Costa
Guest
GO THE MIGHTY TIGERS
TC123
Guest
No I'll miss him. He gives me great amusement every time Richmond win
Pete
Guest
No problems. Go follow some other sport. You won't be missed.