The Richmond Tigers held out for a 13-point win to end Hawthorn’s unbeaten start to the 2018 AFL season.
Final score
Richmond Tigers: 15.12 (102)
Hawthorn Hawks: 13.11 (89)
An in-form Hawthorn Hawks will face off against the reigning premiers, the Richmond Tigers, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 1:10pm (AEDT).
Richmond have been far from their best in the first two games of the season. They were scratchy against Carlton to begin, but found a way to get the four points, and were promising against Adelaide, but ran out of gas in the end.
It is only two games in, but they look more reliant on Dustin Martin this time around. He no doubt was leading the troops last season with his efforts, but you could see there was a real collective effort from the team when it came to winning and losing games. So far, it looks as if Martin has to be firing, otherwise they will struggle.
If he were to get injured, then it would really put a few doubts in the back of people’s minds about the Tigers going back-to-back. Saying that, Martin is fit and firing, and they’ll need him to put in another performance like he did at the Adelaide Oval a week ago, where he kicked five goals and had 25 disposals.
In team news for Richmond, Josh Caddy will miss out due to suspension, and Shai Bolton and Corey Ellis are omitted.
The replacements are Nick Vlastuin, Sam Lloyd and debutant Jack Higgins.
As for the Hawks, it was this time last season that everyone thought it was doom and gloom, but they are well and truly back. They have started the season off with two wins, the most impressive against Geelong last week, where they won by a point.
Alastair Clarkson’s men will take huge confidence from that clash. Being able to face the Geelong midfield of Gary Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood, and come out with the win, that is big.
Everyone just seems to be playing their role. They have an even number of contributors all across the ground, but Tom Mitchell seems to be the one setting the world on fire. He has been outstanding in the two games thus far, and the Tigers will have plenty to do if they want to stop his influence.
In team news for the Hawks, they will be without James Sicily due to suspension, and lose Ryan Schoenmakers and Shaun Burgoyne to injury.
James Frawley, Will Langford and Harry Morrison come into the side.
Prediction
I think Hawthorn win this purely because of the form they have shown in the first two games. Saying that, the Tigers are a good football side and will be looking to bounce back, but I think Clarkson’s men will come through with four points here.
Hawthorn by 13.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 1:10pm (AEDT).
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Peppsy
Roar Guru
Lewis got 2 weeks for that, watch Rance not even get a fine
Peppsy
Roar Guru
Rance should be suspended for that hit on Breust. But he’s a big name, so he won’t be
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me today everyone, hope you enjoyed the call!
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Richmond dominant for most the game against Hawthorn at the MCG and get a deserved win. Damien Hardwick will be pleased that they did it without Dustin Martin being too influential. Jack Higgins was impressive on debut with two goals. Jarryd Roughead kicked four goals and looked the goods for the Hawks. Overall, the Tigers played well, but did let Hawthorn back in the game late on. Nonetheless, a big four points for the Tigers.
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Full Time Good win for the Tigers, but they'll be disappointed how they closed out the game. Richmond Tigers: 15.12 (102) Hawthorn Hawks: 13.11 (89)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Behind 00.38 - Minor score for the Hawks. Richmond Tigers: 15.12 (102) Hawthorn Hawks: 13.11 (89)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Goal 02.22 - Great kick to Breust, but as he marks he was clattered by Rance. The Hawks got 50 and O'Meara ended up kicking the goal. Richmond Tigers: 15.12 (102) Hawthorn Hawks: 13.10 (88)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Goal 04.18 - Breust gets one, but it won't count for much you would think. Richmond Tigers: 15.12 (102) Hawthorn Hawks: 12.10 (82)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Behind 05.34 - Behind for the Tigers. Richmond Tigers: 15.12 (102) Hawthorn Hawks: 11.10 (76)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Behind 06.28 - McEvoy wins the free kick inside 50. He goes back and misses. Richmond Tigers: 15.11 (101) Hawthorn Hawks: 11.10 (76)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Goal 08.19 - Riewoldt takes the contestant mark and it's a big one. That's a big goal for the Tigers. Richmond Tigers: 15.11 (101) Hawthorn Hawks: 11.9 (75)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Goal 09.42 - Free kick to Puopolo. He was taken high inside 50. He goes back and converts! Richmond Tigers: 14.11 (95) Hawthorn Hawks: 11.9 (75)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Goal 10.54 - Roughead with his fourth. He's played well today. Richmond Tigers: 14.11 (95) Hawthorn Hawks: 10.9 (69)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Behind 13.38 - Morrison takes the mark inside 50. Slight angle and about 50 out. He goes back and hooks it to the right. Richmond Tigers: 14.11 (95) Hawthorn Hawks: 9.9 (63)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Goal 15.02 - Mitchell from outside 50 gets his first goal for the day. Richmond Tigers: 14.11 (95) Hawthorn Hawks: 9.8 (62)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Goal 16.43 - Butler having a good day. Great goal. Richmond Tigers: 14.11 (95) Hawthorn Hawks: 8.8 (56)
That A-League Fan
Guest
Richmond are running away with it now.
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Goal 17.31 - Puopolo with a great kick hits up Roughead inside 50. He goes back and converts. Richmond Tigers: 13.11 (89) Hawthorn Hawks: 8.8 (56)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Goal 18.50 - Castagna was all by himself in the goal square, and Edwards found him. Too easy. Richmond Tigers: 13.11 (89) Hawthorn Hawks: 7.8 (50)
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Final quarter underway!