RICHMOND proved its early-season form was no flash in the pan after playing out a thrilling draw with the previously-unbeaten Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome on Sunday.
However the Tigers would be ruing a missed opportunity to down the Bulldogs after blowing a 25-point lead mid-way through the final quarter – and leading by three goals with just three minutes remaining.
When big Bulldog Will Minson kicked truly from 40 metres with just 20 seconds remaining, scores were locked together.
The Tigers were pressing when the siren sounded but they had run out of time, with the two teams sharing the points.
The final scores were Richmond 20.10 (130) to the Western Bulldogs 19.16 (130).
While Richmond didn’t get the four points and ultimately blew a golden opportunity, there were still plenty of positives for the Tigers.
While veterans Matthew Richardson (three goals), Troy Simmonds and Kane Johnson played major parts in the win, there was plenty to like about Richmond’s performance, with several youngsters playing cameos in the hard-fought display.
Jack Riewoldt and Jake King, in particular, were terrific in patches,
The Tigers consolidated their position inside the eight by gaining two points.
Richmond led by two goals at the last break after it had trailed by eight points at half-time.
Two early fourth-quarter goals to Richardson, who again roamed across the ground throughout the match as he did a week earlier, went a long way towards sealing the match.
But the Bulldogs never gave up, getting the margin back to seven points.
After goals to Riewoldt and Simmonds late in the term looked to have again put the match out of the Bulldogs’ reach, Daniel Cross kicked a goal from a tight angle, Robert Murphy banged one through with two minutes remaining, and then the unlikeliest of heroes – defender Brian Lake – took a big pack mark with a minute remaining.
With an injured Lake having to be helped from the field, the umpires decided Minson should take the kick. Under enormous pressure, he calmly slotted the goal to level the scores.
Richmond booted six goals to three in the third term, with the Tigers faithful coming to full voice at the 18-minute mark of the term when Shane Edwards when he put his side in front for the first time since the opening quarter.
Richmond’s third-quarter blitz had followed a see-sawing first half in which the Bulldogs had always looked to have a little extra up their sleeve.
However, an inability to convert in front of goal hurt Rodney Eade’s side. After the Bulldogs kicked the first of the game, the Tigers kicked the next three.
Mitch Morton looked lively up forward, and Brett Deledio took a strong grab to boot Richmond’s second.
At the other end, Bulldog Scott Welsh couldn’t find his range, and Terry Wallace’s men led 3.2 to 1.6 at one stage before the Doggies started to find their mark.
By quarter-time, the Bulldogs led 4.10 to 4.2.
Kane Johnson had done a superb job in blanketing dangerous Dog Ryan Griffen, while Adam Cooney had also struggled to have an influence.
The alarm bells started ringing for Richmond when Brad Johnson booted the first two goals of the second term, increasing the Bulldogs’ lead to 20 points.
But the Tigers hung tough despite looking out of the contest at different stages, fighting back bravely on each occasion.
Daring runs from the likes of Nathan Foley, Richard Tambling and King allowed Richmond to find space further afield and get the ball into their forward 50 quickly.
The Tigers forwards enjoyed the room to move and were able to capitalise, with 'Richo' among the main beneficiaries.
The Tigers take on a high-flying Hawthorn at the MCG next Sunday, while the Bulldogs return to Telstra Dome next week to take on the struggling West Coast Eagles.
Western Bulldogs 4.10 9.11 12.14 19.16 (130)
Richmond 4.2 9.3 15.8 20.10 (130)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Gilbee 3 Minson 3 Johnson 2 Lake Hudson Hill Cooney Akermanis Hahn Hargrave Giansiracusa Griffen Cross Murphy
Richmond: Richardson 3 Riewoldt 3 Brown 3 Morton 2 Deledio 2 Edwards 2 Hyde White Polak Schulz Simmonds
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Boyd Cooney Cross Hargrave Murphy
Richmond: Richardson Johnson Simmonds Brown King
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Lake (back spasm), Johnson (calf)
Richmond: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Meredith, Ryan, Armstrong
Official crowd: 37,767 at Telstra Dome
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
