Richmond had high hopes for big forward Ty Vickery before the season began. But fluctuating form and an ability to find himself in trouble with the Match Review Panel has seen those wishes unfulfilled. But the key Tiger's four-goal effort on Saturday went some way to making amends. Vickery was in the game from the outset, kicking the opening two goals of the match. He had three majors before half-time, before making the most of a fortuitous snap out of the pack in the third term to chalk up his equal career-high goal tally of four. If he can focus on the football, and forget about trying to be the enforcer out on the field, Vickery and Richmond will be in a much better place. 

You would have thought Trent Cotchin and Pearce Hanley would be two players firmly in the minds of the opposition scouts when looking ahead to next week's opponent. But that didn't seem to be the case early, with Damien Hardwick and Justin Leppitsch allowing the other side's key playmaker to run free for much of the contest. Lions captain Jed Adcock went to Cotchin at stages, but the lack of team accountability was glaring. Cotchin did basically as he pleased on the way to a game-high 37 disposals. Hanley closed out the game full of running and finished with 34 for the Lions. Tom Rockliff also had 36 touches for the Lions.

Those who watch the Lions on a weekly basis already understand how important Pearce Hanley has become. The Irishman, who signed a five-year contract with the Lions in 2013, had one of the best games of his career with 34 disposals in his side's memorable win over North Melbourne last week. After a quiet opening against the Tigers, Hanley sprung into life and finished with 34 touches in another stellar display. It led to Triple M commentator Garry Lyon to praise Hanley for his "extraordinary" work rate. Lyon also suggested Hanley was beginning to join the elite ranks of players in the AFL. But it could be fairly argued he is already there.

The Lions would have dearly loved to have their champion forward out on the MCG against the Tigers, particularly as their alternative targets were virtually non-existent. Brown's retirement was always going to be tough for the Lions to overcome, but it was exposed in the harshest of ways on Saturday. Veteran Daniel Merrett and youngster Michael Close were both largely ineffective and the Lions' lack of a 'get-out' or down the line kick was noticeable. Close did some things to suggest he is worth persisting with, but at age 19 he is still very much a project player.  

The oval ball can be a cruel thing at times and Dustin Martin can count himself extremely unlucky not to be in the running for a goal of the year nomination this week. Martin outran his opponent into space on the half forward flank and from a tight angle cleverly speared the ball towards the goals. It looked for all money like dribbling through for a terrific goal but at the last minute the ball changed course and stayed in play. It was just one of the comical things that occurred in a very sub-standard game.