Richmond coach Damien Hardwick copped some flack last week when he bemoaned the fact three of his best six had been missing most of the season. But he was proven right, with both Brett Deledio and Alex Rance having an immediate impact. Within the first five minutes, Deledio, in his comeback game, had a running bounce. It was a sign the key playmaker was determined to take the game on. He then kicked the Tigers' second goal, providing Richmond with some momentum. Rance was brilliant in defence, attacking the ball with fierce intent and marking the ball when in space. Even when he unluckily conceded a free kick in the third quarter with a desperate spoil, his intent lifted the team.

 

Geelong kicked just one goal in the third quarter and it was a direct result from a turnover. Shaun Grigg chipped a kick that fell short of a teammate. Any Tiger who was streaming forward was suddenly caught out and the Cats managed to kick the ball forward where Mitch Duncan won a free kick. When Duncan kicked the major, Richmond had conceded six goals to turnovers. Richmond also picked out 50-50 contests with short kicks when the right decision would have been to go long.  This was the difference between a win and a loss in the end. Kicking was a problem that used to bedevil Richmond and unfortunately for the Tigers it returned on a day they were desperate to win. 

 

Entering the final quarter, Joel Selwood looked spent. He had managed just 10 disposals and been well held by Shaun Grigg and Deledio. However, just two minutes into the final quarter, with the Tigers charging and with a cut to his face, Selwood emerged from a stoppage inside 50, broke a tackle and kicked a long goal to give his team some breathing space. It was an inspirational reminder that four points were up for grabs. He went on to have nine disposals in the last quarter. Harry Taylor just marked everything in defence and was impassable. Selwood, along with his teammates, will benefit from the bye after an interrupted pre-season and a tough start. They looked a sore mob at times. His teammate Steven Motlop made a comeback but had little impact. He will benefit from the run and could be an x-factor late in the season.

Richmond was lacking confidence and out of form and most expected Geelong to win. After all, the Cats had defeated the Tigers in 38 of their past 46 meetings. Richmond supporters arrived hoping to see some signs of a turnaround and, after a shocking start, they did. Richmond was 35 points behind 20 minutes into second quarter and had not kicked a goal. However, four and a half minutes after it broke the duck, it had four on the scoreboard. Richmond suddenly began to run the ball through the middle and get first hands on the ball. In the third quarter that run continued and Richmond was all over Geelong. It kicked four goals to one in the third quarter and then a captain's goal from Cotchin brought the Tigers within a goal midway through the last quarter. Eventually, Geelong's champions allowed the Cats to steady and just hang on.

  

One of the game's newest rules – and most difficult to adjudicate – seemed to be forgotten during the third quarter when the umpires let three opportunities to pay a free kick to Geelong pass. On wet days, the umpires do try to let play flow and forgive players for mistakes but they are also the type of conditions where players often slide into opponents who are trying to keep his feet. It was lucky that no-one was injured but the Geelong players keeping their feet should have been rewarded.