The Bulldogs spotted the Tigers a 43-point lead at one stage, but showed resolve to get back to within a kick late in the third term. But the comeback took its toll and Richmonds was able to steady and move through to the quarter finals.
The first half belonged solely to the Tigers, who boasted a 29 point lead at the first two breaks and had the Dogs looking the ladder anchors they were last season. But their three goal burst in the opening seven minutes of the third term suddenly had Richmond playing the clumsy and nervous football.
The Dogs change of fortune coincided with the move of débutant Farren Ray, the fourth pick of the 2003 national draft, to the centre. And as his team-mates tightened up general play, the 17 year-old was influential, nailing a clever snap goal four minutes into the term that appeared to ignite his side.
Subsequent majors to Scott West, Brad Johnson and Patrick Bowden saw the margin reduced to four points - Johnson’s coming after an undisciplined 50 metre penalty against Ty Zantuck, who kicked the ball into the crowd after a free kick was paid at the other end of the ground.
Peter Street and Daniel Bandy both had opportunities to goal after Bowden’s major, but instead drew the side to within four points.
Andrew Kellaway’s late goal gave the Tigers some welcome breathing space and the side resumed where it had begun in the last term. Shane Morrison kicked two goals within three minutes, and Jay Schultz had the lead back to 29 just minutes later.
After winning just one game in the last 14 weeks of season 2003, Richmond can feel encouraged at the prospect of adding skipper Wayne Campbell, Darren Gaspar, Matthew Richardson and Joel Bowden – arguably the best four players in the side.
The only injury out of the match was to Bulldog recruit Steven Koops who, after being one of the best players in the match, dislocated his elbow late in the game. He will have scans to check for structural damage, but the club hopes he will be available for the opening round of the season proper.
The Dogs were without captain Chris Grant, Mitch Hahn, Matthew Croft, Jordan McMahon and Daniel Giansiracusa, and will now spend the next three weeks playing against fellow eliminated sides
Nathan Brown was prominent early in his first match against his old side. He lined up in the centre alongside Brad Ottens, Kane Johnson and Mark Coughlan but was rotated in attack throughout the night. Greg Tivendale, Brown, Brad Ottens and Shane Morrison were among the Tigers best players, while Ray, Johnson, Sam Power, Jade Rawlings and Koops were best for the Dogs.
Former Hawk Rawlings lined up close to goal, took nine marks and kicked one goal. Prized number one pick in the draft Adam Cooney showed did some good things, without being outstanding and enjoyed considerable game time in his side’s attacking half.
Bulldogs coach Peter Rohde noted afterwards that three of his new players were probably among the side's five best players. "I thought that we had a lot of players who contributed for short periods during the game, not enough who contributed for long periods," he said.
Kayne Pettifer kicked the opening goal in the first official match of the season. And in keeping with the unique competition it came in the form of a nine pointer, after his bomb from outside the 50 meter arc cleared the goal line.
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 0.1.1, 0.4.5, 0.9.8, 0.12.9 (81).
RICHMOND: 1.4.3, 2.6.4, 2.8.5, 2.13.9 (105).
NINE POINT GOALS: Western Bulldogs: Nil.
Richmond: Pettifer, Fiora.
SIX POINT GOALS: Western Bulldogs: Johnson 3, Boyd 2, Power 2, Bandy, Rawlings, Ray, West, Bowden.
Richmond: Zantuck 3, Rodan 2, Morrison 2, Brown, Stafford, Ottens, A Kellaway, Schulz, Tivendale.
BEST: Western Bulldogs: Boyd, Johnson, Power, Smith, Cooney, Murphy.
Richmond: Tivendale, A Kellaway, Coughlan, Brown, Ottens, Fiora, Morrison, Newman.
INJURIES: Western Bulldogs: Koops (dislocated elbow).
Richmond: TBA.
REPORTS: Nil.
UMPIRES: McLaren, McBurney, Kevic, Fraser.
CROWD: 22,257 at Telstra Dome.
