On the biggest stage of all, Richmond broke a 37-year-old VFL/AFL drought to win the premiership, defeating a disappointing Adelaide by 48 points.
After missing the finals in 2016 and with the knives out for Damien Hardwick, Richmond completed the ultimate fairytale making a stunning turn-around to capture the 2017 flag.
Here are five talking points from todays action.
1. Defence trumps attack
The old adage goes that it is easier to destroy than create and this held true today. The league’s best defence went up against the best attack.
The Tigers game-plan stood up better on the biggest day of all. The had numbers to the contest, stuck their tackles and most importantly stopped Adelaide playing their efficient gamestyle.
One of the hallmarks of Adelaide’s play during the season and finals was the use of short kicks when coming out of the 50 when the opposition defence is setting up or set. The Tigers did a tremendous job of organising themselves to set up their defensive structures.
Short kicks were at a premium, clear cut switching was impossible and the Crows were repeatedly forced into kicking down the line.
Any time they did force the issue – the Richmond pressure forced crucial turnovers. There was precious little run and carry and again credit goes to the Richmond pressure (perceived or otherwise) that limited this.
2. David Astbury – an unsung hero
Alex Rance was a colossus as always – repelling attacks and never putting a foot wrong. His ability to read the play, intercept mark and always take the right option is the reason that he is the best defender in the game. But his ability to play that role is hugely assisted by the versatility and ability of David Astbury, and Dylan Grimes to a lesser extent.
On this occasion – Astbury took on Taylor Walker and did a fantastic job. Astbury’s job was made a bit easier by Richmond’s midfield pressure decreasing the quality of delivery to Walker and he also enjoyed great support from VLaustin and Co. but his efforts played crucial role in the Tigers victory.
3. Role players – Shaun Griggs and Jacob Townsend
There were so many names here it is hard to pick two. With Nankervis the only ruckmen and no one else capable of pinch hitting in the ruck – Shaun Griggs was tasked with facing up to big Sam Jacobs during a pivotal 5-10 minute period in the second quarter.
Griggs got dominated in the taps but with Richmond adding an extra midfielder to the contest and with some good work by the midfielders sharking several taps – Richmond survived this period without any scoreboard damage being done before Nankervis returned to take over.
Townsend is a great story entering the seniors after showing great form in the VFL. He played another great role by stopping the run of Lever, competing in the air and getting on the scoreboard. He kicked accurately and his pressure justified his late but timely inclusion into this Richmond team.
4. Jack Riewoldt steps up on grand final day
Jack Riewoldt’s value to the team is immense. He is much maligned in certain quarters but I doubt Richmond would be here without his selfless play during the season. His job is simple – get to as many contests as possible, bring the ball to ground and provide ground pressure when defending.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
He did all that and more leading from the front and being the best key position forward on the ground. He took several towering marks, laid tackles and could have had a few more goals if he had kicked more accurately.
5. A mention for the excellent level of umpiring
It was a good effort by the men in white (or yellow) and they deserve credit for the manner in which they umpired the game. Common sense prevailed and it is hard to think of a decision they got wrong.
They were clear in their explanations and even when at first sight it seemed a wrong decision – the replays almost always supported their decision. There were no silly deliberate out of bounds given and the head was protected well.
There was a moment in the first half when an Adelaide entry into the forward 50 was touched and then ‘marked’ by Vlaustin. No one heard the play on call and the umpire coolly called a ball up explaining that it was ‘common sense.’
republican
Guest
....can I add the farce that was the Norm Smith Medal this GF. What the heck was that all about? Dusty hardly made an impact until the Tigers started to get on top of the Crows in the 3rd Qtr. There were some pretty impressive and sustained performances from a number of other Tigers personnel, that far exceeded JM's i.e. Houli. Whats all the fuss and what is the agenda with JM exactly? Sure he's good but so are many other players across the comp. Has the AFL some vested interest in placing him on such a high pedestal?
fairsuckofthesav
Guest
I think you are glossing over this Doc. But ok give me 4-5 examples from the first half where the umpiring favoured the Crows. Also its not cherry picking: its giving a number of examples to support an argument. There's a difference. Agree that after halt-time Tigers ran away with it. But when the heat is on for two years running there has been a bias against the interstate team.
Brayden Rise
Roar Pro
Sloane was especially good in the first half but the Crouch brothers possessions were nearly always under so much pressure they didn't hurt them. I just think Pyke needed to try something radical at the end of the third quarter. Throw Betts and Cameron in the middle, anything. The other point that surprised me is where was the antisocial side of it the Hawks are so good at? Why didn't we try some push and shove in the second half, try and get Dusty and Rance off their games?
Milo
Roar Rookie
You'd have to be joking. Grant Thomas...wow. There's intelligentsia right there. If Sydeny was good enough it would've beaten Geelong at the G just like it did in the prelim last year. But it couldn't get the job done when it counted. Geelong & GWS were beaten convincingly by both Richmond and Adelaide and there's no doubt those two deserved to be at the ground on Saturday. Premierships are won and will always be won by the best team in finals. Richmond executed 12 quarters of smart, hard, pressure football, a brand that was designed to succeed in September.
Milo
Roar Rookie
How many premierships has Geelong won at Kardinia Park? Last I checked they have played one final there and lost. The ground is not built for finals between big clubs and the Cats know that well. 'Telstra Stadium' doesn't have the capacity to host an AFL crowd when the footy is played there and lets face it, for good reasons no AFL team really wants to play there again. The GF is maintained at the best stadium in the southern hemisphere which can contain 100,000 people and develop magnificent atmosphere. All teams whether they are Victorian or not, know that and believe its a privilege to play there on the last Saturday in September. Move on.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Don't agree Doc. The umpire gave the Crows the advantage but Atkins was tackled immediately. Instead of holding the ball against Atkins he should have used common sense by blowing the whistle and given the free back to Walker as no advantage was gained. Anyway - its all a bit irrelevant now - the Tigers were far too good on the day.
The Doc
Roar Guru
Thanks David C
The Doc
Roar Guru
Great comment Brayden. Im sure they tried to tweak things but you are right no major changes were made. And really had no plan B when things went south. Perhaps that is the downside to not having been challenged during the finals series. Still think they are an elite midfielder short (Not that elite midfielders grow on trees or fit into a salary cap) - SLoane was brilliant, crouch brothers accumulated but they got beaten at the contested possesions (-30)/clearances (-6) and werent allowed to run on the outside.
The Doc
Roar Guru
GOod point Anon. SHould the first game be played at Kardinia Park? - could argue both ways. Im neutral as I support neither club but happy to see game played at MCG to allow more fans there. I am not sure if Geelong has MCG listed as a home base or not but they do play a number of home games at Etihad and so playing away from KArdinia park in melbourne is not out of the ordinary during the home and away season. THe second final richmond earnt by winning the first week and the GF is always held at the 'G and probably always will be. Just the way it is. A solution might be to rotate the GF season by season but against this is that besides Telstra stadium no other ground has a capacity that can rival MCG. WIth corporates, sponsors, ex players guranteed seats - a huge number of club members (of competing sides) would miss out if you moved it away from G.
Shane
Guest
You have to be joking. They may be the first team to go from premiers to wooden spooners. Grant Thomas has said they are the weakest side to ever win the flag. Look at how good the St Kilda sides of the naughties were and they never won a premiership. Richmond had a great year but had few injuries, an easy draw and home ground advantage in every final. Take Dustin Martin, Alex Rance and Trent Cotchin out of the team, which could happen with injuries, and they are almost certain wooden spooners. Take the three best players out of Adelaide and they are still a good team. Injuries and a shortened pre-season could cruel Richmond next year. Crows, Swans and Giants are the early shortest odds. If Richmond make the top four they will be a chance but I think a premiership hangover is more likely as some of their players will still be drunk in February. Recent history suggests losing a grand final with a poor display does not auger well for next season so maybe the Crows should be discounted as well.
The Doc
Roar Guru
THanks for the comment FSOTS. Atkins should have had more game awareness, paused and given ball to Walker. He took the advantage and unfortunately was tackled. THat is holding the ball every day of the week. Perhaps Betts deserved a free kick but Grimes did a job of disguising the hold. I think overall they umpired very well. I disagree that they influenced the game - richmond won because they were the better team on the day and umpiring had very little to do with this. You could go through each game and cherry pick a bunch of decision that didnt go your way. Mostly we watch the game with a degree of bias - if richmond lost there would be a bunch of supporters here arguing about a bunch of frees that didnt go their way. Just the instrinsic nature of sports supporting really
The Doc
Roar Guru
Great comment Johnno. Agree with the up there cazaly. Not sure what your thoughts were on the killers. I like the day time GF too - although personally wishing it would switch to night for the few years I am in London. Big call about Dusty but if maintains his current form and wins another flag he would certainly be up there with Carey/ablett.
The Doc
Roar Guru
Tigers fans getting excited already. YOu deserve to enjoy it but a big call. It is pretty difficult to go back to back and it is a very even comp. That being said you have a good young group and a gamestyle that will hold up in finals so a top 4 would be the minimum expectation next year
Shane
Guest
What about the ridiculous deliberate out of bounds paid against Sam Jacobs which ended up later leading to a Richmond goal. It was biased umpiring, but much better than the GWS/Richmond game.
Brayden Rise
Roar Pro
Can I give you another point? Why did the Adelaide coaching staff do nothing all day, change nothing all day? Our opportunity to come back was when Tex kicked the third quarter goal to get us back to 20 points. Once Richmond got the next three surely it was time to do something, anything!!!!! Throw Lever on to Rance, throw Cameron into the middle, take Jenkins and Tex off...do something! They tried nothing they did nothing. I would rather they tried something radical and get belted by 80 then settle for an 8 goal loss while sitting on their hands.
Harry
Guest
Nailed it. For the second year in a row the Victorian team massively benefited from umpires decision when, crucially, the game was in the balance. Umpires are only human but still disappointing to see.
anon
Roar Pro
I thought the umpiring was average. A lot of 50/50's early on going to Richmond in their 50. That Betts non-call was just momentum sapping. I think the biggest talking point is that Richmond are likely not premiers if they didn't get 3/3 home finals despite only earning 1/3. It's an enormous advantage. Swans would be premiers this year with that kind of advantage.
David C
Guest
It's Grigg not Griggs but nice writeup all the same.
tim
Guest
way back in 1978 there were two states who were powerhouses in basketball. For 2 years SA beat the vics by 25 points. When it came to picking the olympic team the victorian based coach chose 10 vics and 2 from sa. Victorians don't have an issue with this. They fully take it as a right. So the idea of fairness that the rest of us live with doesn't work. So when they report that the umpires were fair, in their minds they believe it to be true. Fairness to a victorian is having the umpire favour your side. It is in their blood.
fairsuckofthesav
Guest
'it is hard to think of a decision they got wrong.' ?! You have got to be kidding! Tigers got tremendous advantage early on when the game was on the line much like occurred against the Swans last year. A few examples: Walker marks. Atkins picks up the loose ball. Advantage is called. Atkins is tackled immediately. Holding the ball. No advantage and no prior results in a 2 goal turnaround. Richmond Guernsey held free kicks in both forward and back. But and here is where equity was lost when a Crows Guernsey was held no free kick. Betts clearly held by the arm in the goal square. No free kick and Crows denied a goal. Martin does the fend off , is tackled drops the ball. But no holding the ball?! Just play on. And so on. Richmond's home ground advantage and swarming pressure won the game particularly after half time. But don't try put across the furphy that the umpiring didn't have an influence early on.