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The Tiger train rolls on after Geelong nailbiter

Dustin Martin is surely captain material. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Roar Pro
3rd August, 2018
23

What a game of footy!

Who said football needs fixing? We have been lucky enough to witness a number of sensational games lately, and we were treated to another absolute beauty on Friday night at the MCG.

In a game that felt like a final, Geelong came hard at the Tigers in the last term but fell agonisingly short.

It’s not often both sides can walk away from a game taking huge positives out of it, but that is the case in this one.

The Tigers maintain top spot on the ladder and are almost certain to finish in the top two and avoid having to travel during the finals as they endeavour to claim back-to-back premierships. As brilliant as Richmond have been this season, their away record is not flattering.

On the flip side the Tigers have now won 19 straight games at the MCG and there is a pretty important game played there at the end of the season that the Tigers would love to be a part of.

Richmond have been the kings of the fourth quarter this season, and with a 21-point lead at the final change against Geelong, most would have expected the Tigers to put the foot down in the final quarter and cruise to victory. However, Geelong dominated the fourth quarter, kicking five goals to two behinds and very nearly pulling off a huge win.

Jack Higgins

(Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

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While Richmond would be disappointed with the final-quarter discrepancy, being challenged and grinding their way to victory could be equally beneficial. Sometimes sides can become complacent or read their own headlines and expect history to repeat itself. The fact the Tigers came so close to being beaten should serve as a wake-up call and will serve them well heading into September.

The Cats would be disappointed by the result. Given how tight the ladder is this season, every game is like an elimination final for Chris Scott’s men at the moment. However, while they would be disappointed they didn’t get the four points, Geelong will have taken plenty out of tonight’s game. Not only did they challenge and very nearly conquer the reigning premiers, they also proved to themselves that they have what it takes to match it with the best.

There are more positives for Geelong too – it’s hard to believe that Tim Kelly is in his first season with the Cats after the 24-year-old South Fremantle product was enormous against the Tigers.

Kelly finished the game with 36 disposals, four clearances, seven score involvements and 1.1. He also covered 15.3 kilometres, more than any other player on the ground.

Ablett

(Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Due to his age, Kelly is ineligible for the Rising Star award, but were he not, he would take some serious beating.

Elsewhere on the ground, while Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood and Kelly all racked up high numbers for Geelong, the Tigers had just one player register more than 30 disposals, with Kane Lambert’s 31 touches.

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Though Richmond don’t always like to possess the ball, instead knocking it onto an opponent in open space or applying extreme pressure to an opposition player with the ball, their even spread of disposal winners also points to how well drilled they are and that they are all buying into the same philosophy.

What effect does the result have? Do Richmond gain a psychological edge over Geelong or do the Cats take heart from matching it with the best and head into their next encounter breathing fire? That remains to be seen, but if these sides do meet in the finals, we are in for a treat.

Follow Johnathan Thompson on Twitter: @johnathant88

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