A SIX-GOAL haul from Tom Lynch has led a young, undermanned Richmond side to a stunning 15.9 (99) to 14.8 (92) win over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday evening.
There were four lead changes in the last quarter, but the Tigers kicked the final two goals of the game - Lynch with the sealer inside the final minute.
The performance was a big tick for the Tigers' depth, showing they can deliver without their Big Four and after making six changes ahead of the match.
TIGER CUBS EARN STRIPES Full match coverage and stats
The wholesale changes saw the Power enter the game as warm favourites, but they didn’t cope with the expectation.
With just over two minutes left, first-year Power player Xavier Duursma pulled down an impressive pack mark, but couldn’t convert from close range opening the door for some Lynch heroics.
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Brandon Ellis had 28 disposals, Jack Ross had 25 on debut while Dylan Grimes had six telling marks in the final quarter to stop Port in its tracks.
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Tom Rockliff had 38 disposals for the losers while Sam Gray kicked three goals.
Earlier it was a cleaner Power, opening up an eight-point quarter-time lead with Sam Gray kicking two of his majors for the home side.
Smart thinking in the square from Sam Powell-Pepper!
— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2019
Given a goal after a review.#AFLPowerTigers pic.twitter.com/IE586vEozf
However, the ball spent more time in Richmond’s forward half in the second term with only a point separating the sides at the long break.
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Two goals from the one play for Lynch saw the Tigers hit the front early in the third quarter, as the former Sun ran into an open goal and received an immediate free kick after he was pushed in the back by Ryan Burton.
Tom Lynch was granted a double-goal after a late push from Ryan Burton.#AFLPowerTigers pic.twitter.com/igIuKj1O2e
— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2019
The visitors led by as much as 15-points, but the home side clawed its way back into the contest – a Robbie Gray set shot from a holding free kick reduced the margin to two points at three-quarter time.
WATCH Lynch takes the lead in Tigers' thrilling win
MEDICAL ROOM
Port Adelaide: In the first half Dougal Howard went down into the rooms with a sore ankle. But the Power defender returned to the field after the break.
Richmond: The Tigers also finished with a clean bill of health from the win, leaving some hard choices to be made to make way for the returning Dustin Martin, and possibly Jack Riewoldt, next week.
NEXT UP
Life only gets harder for Port Adelaide as they head west to take on the Eagles at Optus Stadium on Friday night, while Richmond will enter Saturday night's clash with Sydney at Marvel Stadium with renewed enthusiasm.
Sublime side-step from Shai Bolton and the toe-poke finish from Josh Caddy!
— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2019
Yet another lead change #AFLPowerTigers pic.twitter.com/nKqkzMZJzc
PORT ADELAIDE 4.1 7.3 11.6 14.8 (92)
RICHMOND 2.5 6.8 11.8 15.9 (99)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: S Gray 3, Ebert 2, R Gray 2, Wines 2, Powell-Pepper, Ryder, Burton, Drew, Houston
Richmond: Lynch 6, Caddy 3, Prestia, Bolton, Ellis, Baker, Nankervis, McIntosh
BEST
Port Adelaide: Rockliff, Houston, Ebert, Boak, Jonas, Byrne-Jones
Richmond: Ellis, Grimes, Lynch, Prestia, Edwards, Ross
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Nil
Richmond: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Meredith, Fleer, Gavine
Official crowd: 38,864 at Adelaide Oval