Richmond have taken a huge step in getting their season back on track with a vintage showing against Geelong at the MCG.
The Tigers took down the Cats by 24 points on Friday night in what was a season-best performance for the yellow and black.
The lauded pressure that was the key to Richmond’s recent success was back in full flight for Damien Hardwick’s men, something which Geelong has succumb to numerous times over the past few years.
The Tigers jumped out of the gates with a blistering first quarter, taking advantage of Geelong’s inaccuracy (2.7) with their own stellar kicking (6.0), giving them an early lead that they would not relinquish.
The Tigers are cooking right now!#AFLTigersCats pic.twitter.com/oh4amU6XxR
— AFL (@AFL) May 12, 2023
Geelong fired back in the second term, trimming the lead down to just four points midway through the quarter, yet Richmond showed more grit than they have all year to get the margin back out to double digits at the main break.
With the game still very much in the balance heading into the second half, the Tigers were able to find another gear, completely smothering the Cats with pressure and a near-impenetrable zone defence.
With Geelong’s attack neutered and Richmond’s only continuing to build, the fourth quarter played out in similar fashion to the third, with the Tigers playing with season-high confidence to secure a huge victory.
For Dwayne Russell, the Tigers’ dominance on the MCG was reminiscent of Richmond’s flag years.
“This is old school Richmond, this is almost premiership Richmond,” he said on AFL Nation.
“They’re inspiring, they’re inspired, they’re playing an attractive, fast, slick, catch-us-if-you-can-style of footy, and all of their older guys look young again.”
The trio of Tiger greats Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt led the way for the club’s attack, combining for nine majors as they played the greatest hits.
Six goals between Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin! #AFLTigersCats pic.twitter.com/yJoFN9gTF2
— AFL (@AFL) May 12, 2023
Jayden Short, Tim Taranto and Daniel Rioli stood out as some of the best around the ball for the yellow and black, each racking up over 20 possessions as the Tigers got their hands on plenty of the footy.
While the Cats were never able to truly take the Tigers out of their game, there were plenty of impressive individual performances for Geelong.
Mitch Duncan, Tom Stewart, Jeremy Cameron and Tom Atkins all did their best to will the Cats back into the contest, yet Richmond was just too strong.
Dunc-ins 🍩
Mitch Duncan and Tom Hawkins made this look easy!#AFLTigersCats pic.twitter.com/CyWUY8c9pJ
— AFL (@AFL) May 12, 2023
Plenty of emotion was shown following the final siren, with Dion Prestia being chaired off in honour of his 200th game, as well as a special moment between two greats of the game.
Jack Riewoldt and Tom Hawkins exchanged guernseys at the games end, marking the end of an era as the two dominant forwards looked to have faced off for the final time.
Respect 🤝 pic.twitter.com/dPqzu1GWp3
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) May 12, 2023
Richmond will look to carry this momentum into their Dreamtime clash against Essendon next week, while Geelong will look to bounce back when they travel to Perth to take on Fremantle.
FULL SCORE
Richmond: 6.0, 8.3, 11.5, 16.6 (102)
Geelong: 2.7, 5.11, 7.11, 11.12 (78)
GOALS
Richmond: Martin 4, Cotchin 3, Riewoldt 2, Mansell 2, Rioli, Bolton, Clarke, Graham, Prestia, McIntosh
Geelong: Hawkins 3, Henry 2, Blicavs, Bruhn, Cameron, Duncan, Simpson, Smith
BEST
Richmond: Rioli, Short, Martin, Taranto, Baker, Cotchin
Geelong: Stewart, Duncan, Miers, Ratugolea, Atkins, Cameron
CROWD
58,141