He has been the heart and soul at Punt Rd, so it was only fitting that retired small forward Jake King gave the Tiger Army one last memory to savour at the MCG. King sat among the Richmond cheer squad in the third quarter, much to the delight of the Tigers' faithful. A huge roar greeted King's arrival, and it was matched just before three-quarter time when the 107-gamer made a popular exit by skolling a beer.
2. Tigers' finals flame flickering, wooden spoon for GWS?
As unbelievable as it sounds, a late charge to finals is not out of the question for Richmond. When the Tigers slumped to 3-10 their season looked shot, but a five-game winning streak and West Coast's stunning upset of Adelaide has Damien Hardwick's men back in contention. Richmond could still be two games outside the eight once round 19 is complete and the Tigers now face a massive showdown against Essendon at the MCG on Friday night. But the Giants, who are clinging on to 16th, are facing a grim fight to avoid a third-straight wooden spoon.
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3. Conca facing MRP scrutiny
Just one week after Ty Vickery copped a four-week ban from the AFL Tribunal, it defies belief that Reece Conca could find himself in hot water for a similar brain fade. Following a Richmond goal in the second quarter, a scrap erupted between Conca and Giants forward Devon Smith near the interchange bench. The scuffle seemed to be over when Smith broke free and ran to the bench, only for Conca to race after him and dish out a crude elbow to the back of the Giant's head. It's unlikely the Match Review Panel will look kindly on the ugly incident.
WATCH: What was Reece Conca thinking?
4. GWS' inexperience a Giant gap to bridge
For all their dazzling talent the Giants still have a lot to learn about footy smarts. GWS probably would have led at quarter-time if it wasn't for two poor entries to tall forward Tom Boyd – one the fault of last year's No. 1 draft pick when he didn't lead to the ball and the other a slow, bombing kick that gave him no chance. At the other end, a baffling decision to keep the ball alive on the last line by Jono O'Rourke coughed up the Tigers' opening goal to Trent Cotchin. Things didn't improve in the second term when two shocking defensive efforts to touch the ball on the goal-line concede majors to Brett Deledio and Ricky Petterd. The Giants were far from overawed but sorely lack the experience to match their pluckiness.
5. Lights go out at the 'G and for the Giants
While the Tigers figuratively shot the lights out in a five-goal second term, they weren't responsible for the MCG being plunged into semi-darkness. Nearing half-time and at dusk in Melbourne, light towers three and five – plus some internal lights - suddenly extinguished. The game continued amid concerns the onrushing night would affect the second half. But credit to the MCG, as the ground's back-up systems promptly swung into action and power was restored before half-time. In a statement, the MCG said the reason for the power outage is still being investigated, but it is believed to be from an external issue.
4. GWS' inexperience a Giant gap to bridge
For all their dazzling talent the Giants still have a lot to learn about footy smarts. GWS probably would have led at quarter-time if it wasn't for two poor entries to tall forward Tom Boyd – one the fault of last year's No. 1 draft pick when he didn't lead to the ball and the other a slow, bombing kick that gave him no chance. At the other end, a baffling decision to keep the ball alive on the last line by Jono O'Rourke coughed up the Tigers' opening goal to Trent Cotchin. Things didn't improve in the second term when two shocking defensive efforts to touch the ball on the goal-line concede majors to Brett Deledio and Ricky Petterd. The Giants were far from overawed but sorely lack the experience to match their pluckiness.
5. Lights go out at the 'G and for the Giants
While the Tigers figuratively shot the lights out in a five-goal second term, they weren't responsible for the MCG being plunged into semi-darkness. Nearing half-time and at dusk in Melbourne, light towers three and five – plus some internal lights - suddenly extinguished. The game continued amid concerns the onrushing night would affect the second half. But credit to the MCG, as the ground's back-up systems promptly swung into action and power was restored before half-time. In a statement, the MCG said the reason for the power outage is still being investigated, but it is believed to be from an external issue.
