1. Dusty watch
Richmond's star midfielder has knocked up plenty of possessions in recent times but hasn't always earned praise for his massive numbers. The Giants decided not to run a tag on Martin but Callan Ward, Dylan Shiel and Ryan Griffen definitely kept an eye on the powerful onballer, and although he finished with 28 disposals, six tackles and four clearances for the day, his influence on the game's result was minimal given the lack of support he got from his teammates. Trent Cotchin was another who got his hands on it and tried hard for the visitors, but his minder Stephen Coniglio outclassed the Richmond captain and clearly took the points in their battle through the middle of the ground, with the West Aussie on track for All Australian honours with another best afield display.
2. Giants pile on the goals for historic first quarter
In perfect conditions for footy only the Giants came out wanting to play, and they torched the Tigers with their highest scoring opening quarter ever, kicking 8.3 (51). It was clinical and slick, eclipsing their previous best of 7.3 (45) against Hawthorn at Spotless Stadium in round six earlier this year. In that time Richmond managed one point, a set shot miss from just about dead in front by Sam Lloyd. The Giants had 21 inside 50s to 10 and took eight marks inside 50 compared to the Tigers' one. Steve Johnson and Toby Greene shared 13 possessions and four goals for the term, while Dylan Shiel, Tom Scully and Josh Kelly ran riot through the midfield. If Tigers coach Damien Hardwick was critical of his team's fadeout against Hawthorn last week, who knows what he was thinking at the first change.
Toby Greene gets his second and the @GWSGIANTS are flying in Canberra! #AFLGiantsTigers https://t.co/0KD4ZSt0fg
— AFL (@AFL) July 30, 2016
3. Fortress Manuka in full effect
The Giants made it three from three in Canberra this season with their demolition of the Tigers, after recording wins over Geelong in round two and Port Adelaide in round four. The Giants also won two of their three fixtures at Manuka oval last year with their only blemish being a 27-point loss to the Cats in round 17, and the Canberra crowds are clearly enjoying their form, with three of the last four games in the nation's capital being sold out. GWS has embraced its second home and the locals have jumped on board ahead of the club's historic first finals campaign. 14,974 fans turned up to see the match, a record attendance for an AFL match at the venue, it's just a pity more of the Tigers' players didn't do the same.
4. Richmond needs to invest in cloning
It doesn't take a Rhodes Scholar to work out that the Tigers have some serious holes – or more like craters – in their list, and if they have any spare change they need to find a way to clone Alex Rance. The All Australian defender was his team's best against the Giants by the length of Manuka with 26 touches, 14 of them contested, nine marks and five rebound 50s, and won his battles with Jeremy Cameron, Jon Patton, plus any of the other GWS forwards he was thrown onto. Richmond's hierarchy must thank God at least 100 times a day that the West Australian chose to re-sign with the club, and it seems his reward is another season of pain. If the Tigers do get themselves a cloning program, they should zap gun forward Jack Riewoldt while they're at it.
5. All hands on deck for Mummy
Greater Western Sydney's star ruckman Shane Mumford had his way with Richmond pair Shaun Hampson and Tyrone Vickery in another dominant performance for the winners. Statistics have never really told the true story of the big man's effect on his side, and against the Tigers, one of his columns contained a duck egg. Mumford had 28 hit-outs, seven clearances and 16 possessions, and all 16 were handballs. One of the game's great characters will no doubt have a chuckle if he runs his eyes across his numbers for round 19. The 2014 club champion's physical presence around the footy is as immense as any player in the competition, and he'll be one of their keys in the run home, and throughout the finals.
This is the type of goal Tom Scully and the Giants are becoming famous for. #AFLGiantsTigers https://t.co/hlj4vKEsmQ
— AFL (@AFL) July 30, 2016