The Roar
The Roar

AFL
Advertisement

Tigers add to Dockers' miserable week

Bachar Houli of the Tigers celebrates a goal during the AFL Second Qualifying Final Match between the Geelong Cats and the Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 8, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Fremantle’s miserable week has continued with a 77-point thrashing from Richmond at the MCG despite a heroic effort from skipper Nat Fyfe.

Held to just one goal during a dismal first half on Sunday, the Dockers dominated the third quarter but were steamrolled late on the way to a 15.20 (110) to 4.9 (33) defeat.

A bullocking Fyfe had 33 disposals, 12 clearances and even contributed in the ruck with seven hitouts but had far too little support with Lachie Neale (35 disposals) the only other major contributor as Fremantle posted their lowest MCG score.

The victory extended Richmond’s winning streak at the MCG to 13 games and secured the reigning premiers’ spot on top of the AFL ladder.

Richmond lost skipper Trent Cotchin before the game to a lingering knee injury, while fellow onballer Dion Prestia succumbed to a calf issue during the third quarter.

The Dockers trailed by 44 points at halftime but surged to life after the break, cutting the margin to 25 points and becoming the first team since Greater Western Sydney in round 18 last year to hold the Tigers goalless in a quarter.

But the AFL’s best fourth-quarter team stayed true to form, closing out the game with eight unanswered goals to improve their record to six wins and one loss.

Fremantle’s fourth defeat for the season capped off a week dominated by a sexual harassment scandal involving coach Ross Lyon.

Advertisement

Lyon allegedly made an inappropriate comment to a junior staff member several years ago at the club’s Christmas function.

It’s been reported the alleged victim had been paid a five-figure amount, as part of a settlement, and that a non-disclosure agreement had been signed.

Regardless of whether the off-field issues affected the Dockers, their first half was woeful.

The Dockers laid just four tackles during the first quarter – an equal-low for any team in a quarter this season and the lowest ever under a Lyon-coached side.

In contrast, the Tigers had 23 tackles for the quarter shared among 14 players.

Kane Lambert (25 disposals, two goals) and defender Dylan Grimes were among Richmond’s best, while Dustin Martin was prolific but booted 0.4.

close