2019 AFL Grand Final final score, highlights: Richmond Tigers vs GWS Giants

A five-goal to zero blitz in the second quarter has proved the difference-maker in a very lop-sided grand final, as Richmond scored their second premiership in three seasons with a dominant 89-point win over the GWS Giants.

Final score
Ricmond Tigers 17.12.114
GWS Giants 3.7.25

Match preview:

The last weekend in September is here, one final game to decide the 2019 premiers. Will it be the Richmond Tigers for their second premiership in three years or the GWS Giants in their maiden AFL grand final? Join The Roar for live coverage, with scores and a blog of the match from 2:30pm AEST.

In preliminary final action last weekend, the Tigers got off to a slow start against Geelong, but came home strong for a 19-point win.

Tom Lynch kicked five goals, Dion Prestia collected 28 disposals and two goals, while the Tigers’ defence held Geelong to just two goals in the second-half.

Their opponent for this year’s grand final was decided on a wet Saturday afternoon at the MCG, where GWS held on as Collingwood made one almighty final term come back.

Underdog for the third time this finals series, the Giants went about their business in the third term and stretched out to a five-goal point lead. This was reduced to just four points, but GWS remained calm and fought hard to qualify for its maiden grand final.

Both teams have proven to be third-quarter specialists in recent weeks, who will take the honours in the ultimate ‘premiership quarter’?

An exciting call was made by Richmond at selection.

Unfortunately, on Tuesday, Jack Graham’s shoulder dislocation from Friday night’s preliminary final was deemed too unstable for recovery.

In one of the stories of the season, 27-year-old mid-season draftee Marlion Pickett will debut for the Tigers in the grand final.

Pickett was best afield in last weekend’s VFL grand final and Richmond are confident he will perform well on the biggest stage.

There are always hard-luck stories in grand final week, so spare a thought for two Tigers – Jack Ross and Kamdyn McIntosh – who were withdrawn from the VFL team last Sunday.

Seemingly left out in case Graham or Nathan Broad (concussion) were not available, neither will get the chance to play for a premiership medal at either level.

In Sydney, there has been speculation all week as to the fitness of key Giants Lachie Whitfield, Phil Davis and Stephen Coniglio.

Coniglio ruled himself out on Wednesday, while Whitfield has been named in the side following keyhole surgery on his appendix just 10 days ago.

Toby Greene returns from suspension and will provide extra spark in this Giants’ line-up.

The pair who replaced Whitfield and Greene last week have been omitted, Ian Hill and Lachlan Keeffe are named as emergencies.

The last time these two teams met was in Round 17. At this point the Tigers were hitting their straps, while the Giants were without some of their best and lost Stephen Coniglio to his knee injury.

Richmond were too strong, defeating the Giants by 27 points at the MCG, however it could and should have been more with Richmond kicking 16 behinds.

The weather is looking fairly overcast for grand final day; not a warm September by any means, but no rain is expected.

Prediction
The dry conditions will suit the Tigers, who are on a roll and hard to beat anywhere, let alone at their home, the MCG.

The big, big sound coming from the west of Sydney won’t be overwhelmed by the situation, however might have already played their ‘grand final’ so-to-speak, after three huge finals and a bit of travel.

Tigers by 16 points and Dion Prestia to be awarded the Norm Smith medal.

Venue: MCG, Melbourne
Time: 2:30pm AEST
TV: Channel 7
Online: AFL app
Betting: Richmond $1.05, GWS $3.05
2019 meetings: Round 3, GWS won by 49 points and round 17 Richmond won by 27 points.

Richmond Tigers
FB: David Astbury, Nathan Broad, Dylan Grimes
HB: Bachar Houli, Nick Vlastuin, Jayden Short
C: Brandon Ellis, Dion Prestia, Josh Caddy
HF: Daniel Rioli, Trent Cotchin, Kane Lambert
FF: Jason Castagna, Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt
Foll: Toby Nankervis, Shane Edwards, Dustin Martin
I/C: Ivan Soldo, Liam Baker, Marlion Pickett, Shai Bolton

GWS Giants
FB: Nick Haynes, Phil Davis, Aidan Corr
HB: Adam Kennedy, Sam Taylor, Heath Shaw
C: Zac Williams, Josh Kelly, Lachie Whitfield
HF: Sam Reid, Jeremy Cameron, Harry Perryman
FF: Harry Himmelberg, Jeremy Finlayson, Brent Daniels
Foll: Shane Mumford, Tim Taranto, Matt de Boer
I/C: Jacob Hopper, Daniel Lloyd, Toby Greene, Adam Tomlinson

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