Richmond have stumbled in their bid for consecutive premiership success, bested by Port Adelaide 10.12 (72) to 8.10 (58), leaving the Tigers’ reputation as a travelling side in complete tatters, after wo losses in South Australia (Adelaide and Port Adelaide) and another in Western Australia (West Coast).
After an emotional and hard-fought clash, it’s easy to make rash calls, however there’s still plenty of positives to be found – for both Port Adelaide and Richmond.
The biggest positive of all for the Tigers was that final margin – just 14 points.
In a cut-throat passage of play in the second quarter, Port converted five consecutive inside 50s into goals, piling on 30 points to secure a match-winning advantage. Three of the goals came as a result of free kicks.
This was made even more pronounced by Richmond midfielder Reece Conca missing a goal from the top of the square in the dying minutes of the first quarter. A miss by Jason Castagna from 40 metres out, more or less straight in front, in the second term didn’t help either.
It was effectively a 42-point swing as a result of seven failures in judgement and execution. In a sport of four quarters and thousands upon thousands of tiny decisions, plays and passages, Richmond gave up the match in just a tiny pocket of space and time.
Outside of these quick failures? Richmond won the first quarter, leading by seven points at the first break, and restricted Port Adelaide to just one goal for the entirety of the second half.
“(The second quarter) was the difference in the game,” Damien Hardwick said.
“It’s a funny game when you win three quarters but manage to lose one by 30 points which was in effect the difference in the game.”
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Richmond entered the match without Brownlow Medal winner Dustin Martin, opting to rest him ahead of the bye round – the most important loss of all.
The Tigers also decided to omit youngster Jack Graham – possibly the scariest move of them all.
While Graham’s form has waned in recent weeks, he was the side’s number one pressure player heading into the match, having recorded 248 pressure acts from his ten matches, ahead of captain Trent Cotchin’s 230, Kane Lambert’s 200, and Reece Conca’s 196.
Graham’s departure was sorely felt in the middle of the ground. Chad Wingard amassed 31 touches with ease alongside Sam Powell-Pepper (28) and Tom Rockliff (25), while the most brutal mid of them all was Ollie Wines, surging to 29 disposals and recording 12 tackles.
Contested possession animal Dion Prestia was another notable absence in the middle of the ground, leaving Corchin with a load to do. The skipper battled hard, even rucking it out against Patty Ryder at times, collecting 20 possessions (11 contested) six clearances and three inside 50s.
Richmond lost the contested possession count 187 to 153 and was smacked in the clearances 49 to 35. The subtraction of multiple premium midfielders is plain to see and the Power did an excellent job making the most of the situation.
Another big name missing was Bachar Houli – an important warrior on the half back line and wings, where Richmond’s gameplan fell apart time and time again in the second half.
Daniel Rioli too remains an important premiership player missing, however it’s not worth dwelling on him because he’s yet to play a game in 2018.
In light of those missing players, a number of second-string Tigers produced their worst performance of the season. Callum Moore and Connor Menadue were missing in action, Brandon Ellis was completely ineffective, and the small forward combo of Dan Butler and Jason Castagna had little to say for nine-tenths of the match.
Even Josh Caddy, who was floated as an All Australian contender during the week, struggled without Martin’s gravity weighing on the opposition.
None of this should take away from Port Adelaide’s result though.
Every team struggles with selections and injuries and the Power likewise missed chances in front of goal that would’ve changed the end result.
It seems the most important lesson for anyone attempting to predict future results in 2018 is not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Port Adelaide and Richmond are both going to be around come September. Should the pair both field full-strength sides in front of a packed crowd, it’s going to be one hell of a show.
Jon Boy
Guest
Geelong draw for a true National Comp/- R1 V Syd.(Syd) R2 V Bulldogs(Melb) R3 V WCE (Perth) R4 V Carlton (Melb) R5 GCSuns (MS) R6 V Freo (Melb) R7 PORT (Adel) R8 V Richmond (Melb) R9 V GWS (SP) R10 Hawthorn (Melb) R11 V St.Kilda (Mel) R12 (Bye) R13 V Adelaide ( Adel) R14 V Essendon (Melb) R15 North>M (Tas) R16 V Melbourne (Mel ) R17 V Bris. (Bris) R18 V Collingwood (Mel) R19 V Freo (Perth) R20 V Port (Mel) R21 V GCSuns ( Mel) 22 V Hawthorn (Tas) R23 v Sydney (Mel) 11 home in Melbourne.- 11 away. This fixture is practically the same as the Eagles so there should be no complaints. By every club having a 11-11 it would be a real AFL, take your team all over the country there is a strong base of supporters Unfortunately we know it will not happen because the VFL have not the courage or conviction to do so.
Philby
Guest
Nah, not buying it Floyd. If we were losing interstate and there were no explanations for it, then yes, that would look like a problem. But when each of our three losses have other plausible explanations, then it becomes a mere statistical quirk. People not distinguishing between the two scenarios above is what gives rise to the expression 'lies, damned lies and statistics'.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Some of that is true, Philby, but Deledio is now a distant memory. Martin is now the talisman. When he doesn’t take the field, the other team gets an automatic morale boost. Not having to deal with him is half the battle. Having said that, Richmond need to lift their game. Interstate form is diabolical.
Cat
Roar Guru
Okay Jonboy where exactly would you like Geelong to play the 9 Melbourne sides? How is it Geelong’s fault Melbourne (a different city than Geelong btw) is a short distance away? Maybe It’s just Perth’s fault for being so far away. Here is another lesson for you ... a home game is NOT any game played in the same state. GWS isn’t at home when they play the Swans at the SCG and Brisbane isn’t home when they travel to Metricon to to play the Suns. And here is lesson number three for you ... the Sydney teams home grounds and the Queensland home ground respectively are the same distance apart as Geelong is from Melbourne.
Philby
Guest
Spot on with the several Tigers midfield 'outs' for this game. It looks like Jack Graham was more 'managed' than omitted as he didn't play in the VFL on Sunday. It's easy to forget that he is only just 20 years old, and his role as a hard mid has to to make it tough on a relatively unseasoned body. I think the away record is more of a statistical quirk than anything else. If you look at the 3 losses, Crows were after GF revenge (always hard to combat) and Eagles were peaking. This one is probably our worst, but with personnel down and a few kids in, not that surprising. Another statistical quirk a few seasons back was that without Brett Deledio in the team, we couldn't seem to win a game. Then he moved to GWS and we won a premiership. Go figure.
User
Roar Rookie
That's the right attitude, if wce reached the gf vs Richmond I wouldn't mind, making media stooges like stevo eat it when wce win the premiership at the MCG against a team with a great record there will be so much sweeter.
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
And Freo have one more with a total of 3 outside of their home ground which includes one in Darwin. Or is that considered Melbournes' home game?
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Round 20 and 21Geelong play at the MCG which i think is in Melbourne. A real away game for Geelong is in Perth ,Adelaide,Sydney,Brisbane,Darwin,Alice Springs or take a flight to Tassie I know your new to our country but in time you might understand . Freo – 11 Home games in Perth Geelong -16- Home games in Melbourne. We will never have True National Comp. until teams share the interstate travel that is why teams like Geelong get a free ride to the finals every year. I live in Bangkok and even I know Geelong is not in Melbourne. You are truly geographically challenged. Apparently you count games in Melbourne which are not Geelongs' home ground or geographical area, but somehow your "away" game at Optus stadium against the Eagles at Freos' home ground is not a home game for you. A very selective way of maneuvering the facts to justify a false argument. Nice try but no cigar.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Appropriate considering your 'reasoning' was wrong.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Rubbish. I don't mind finishing 4th with WC 1st. Who and where would we play then? Get your facts right before patting each other on the back!
Jon Boy
Guest
Spot on there Joe B, You know your stuff.
Jon Boy
Guest
I maybe slow Cat ,but you are so Dumb Round 20 and 21Geelong play at the MCG which i think is in Melbourne. A real away game for Geelong is in Perth ,Adelaide,Sydney,Brisbane,Darwin,Alice Springs or take a flight to Tassie I know your new to our country but in time you might understand . Freo - 11 Home games in Perth Geelong -16- Home games in Melbourne. We will never have True National Comp. until teams share the interstate travel that is why teams like Geelong get a free ride to the finals every year.
Cat
Roar Guru
Geelong plays away in round 20 and 21. You really need to learn what ‘home’ means. Most people knew what it meant by the time they start kindergarten but apparently you are extremely slow. Freo = 11 home games Geelong = 9 home games.
Joe B
Guest
Name calling.... that is as reasonable as you get.
Ken
Guest
100% true
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Ridiculous comment, Joeb! And not necessarily true. Think about it 'oh sour one'.
Sammy
Guest
Or the crows who went back to back in the late 90's
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
I think it is actually their worst performance of the year.Against West Coast, they were dismantled.Similarly against the Crows,their game plan was exposed. Port are very similar in ability to the Tigers, Sure the Tigers were missing Cotchin and Houli, but remember that Jack Watts,Rockliff and Motlop were playing for Port. Port went into their shell in the last quarter, with no long kicks or quick play on. What were the Tigers doing? No Nankervis to ruck contests,no one-on-ones to Port's flood
Ditto
Guest
I think it's pretty clear that in 2017 if Richmond didn't play all four finals at the MCG, despite being the away team in two of them, Richmond don't win the premiership. Make of that what you want. In all likelihood they won't travel away from the MCG this September either and thus are premiership favourites. Let's at least hope that if that is the case they earn the right to home ground advantage.
Jonboy
Guest
Geelong just recently had five weeks in row at home in Melbourne and they get to play there last 6 at home,. gifted run home to the finals.