THE SYDNEY Swans' finals plans have been thrown into disarray after a shock 43-point loss to Richmond at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The Swans appeared to have been flattened by last week's one-point defeat to Essendon and offered little resistance in the 14.15 (99) to 7.14 (56) loss.
It was a disastrous result for the eighth-placed Swans (38 points), who missed a golden opportunity to cement their spot in the top eight, a place they have held since round six.
The loss ensures fellow finals aspirants Fremantle (36 points) and North Melbourne (32 points) remain alive in their race for September.
On Sunday, John Longmire's men played without their usual intensity or composure. For much of the afternoon they also struggled to make an impression on the scoreboard.
Brett Meredith put the Swans nine points up at the seven-minute mark of the second quarter, but they didn't kick another goal until Ryan O'Keefe kicked truly six minutes into the third term.
A very ugly game was then brought to life when the Tigers kicked six goals to two in the final term with a 60m long bomb from Dustin Martin sealing the win.
It was only Richmond's second victory since it beat Essendon in round nine and snapped a six-game losing streak.
Robin Nahas kicked three goals for the winners, while Trent Cotchin was brilliant in the midfield.
Importantly for Richmond, coach Damien Hardwick can now point to his team's win-loss ratio to underline its improvement.
The Tigers have now won six-and-a-half games compared to six last season and still have winnable games against Melbourne, Adelaide and North Melbourne to come.
Influential players
In a contest that was marred by skill errors, Cotchin was a standout performer. He gathered 29 possessions, while Bachar Houli (32 touches) and Brett Deledio (30) were the other leading ball-winners for the Tigers.
Richmond pair Alex Rance and Shane Tuck did a great job quelling the influence of Adam Goodes. Rance picked up Goodes when the Swans champion was in the forward line and Tuck took on the job when he moved into the midfield. Goodes finished the afternoon with only 16 possessions.
Magic moment
The Swans made a shaky start to the game, conceding the first five inside-50s as they slipped eight points behind by the 10-minute mark of the first quarter. But Goodes tried his best to ignite his team when he soared over Houli and hauled in a spectacular mark on the Southern Stand wing. Goodes jumped early and was on Houli's shoulders for a couple of seconds before he clutched the Sherrin and fell to the turf.
Shocker of the day
In the fourth minute of the second quarter, Goodes received the ball about 60m from the Swans' goal. He sighted youngster Alex Johnson out on the flank and handballed across to him. Johnson had no one between him and the goals, so he took off and had a bounce. But rather than running all the way to the goalsquare, he had a shot from 30m and shanked it, his kick dribbling along the ground and failing to even register a score.
Stats that matter
Richmond showed it was up and about by registering the first five inside-50s of the game. By the final siren, the tally was 56-45 in the Tigers' favour, a dominance that was reflected on the scoreboard.
Dream Team highlight
Richmond: Trent Cotchin's 29-possession effort was rewarded with 121 Dream Team points, his second-highest score of the season. Bachar Houli was the only other Tiger to top the ton, with 118 points.
Sydney Swans: Three Swans passed the 100-point barrier, with Josh Kennedy (119 points), Dan Hannebery (115) and Ryan O'Keefe (106) the bright spots for Dream Teamers. Popular choice Adam Goodes collected only 78 points.
QUARTER BY QUARTER
FIRST QUARTER
Richmond dominated the opening stages of the quarter with the first five inside-50s, but could only manage to convert one opportunity into a goal, with Robin Nahas kicking the first of the term. The Swans, though also scrappy with possession going forward, held firm to kick their first goal at the 20-minute mark through a mark from co-captain Adam Goodes. Goodes also set up the Swans' second goal of the quarter - a nicely weighted snap by Josh Kennedy - to help the Swans to an unlikely, and perhaps somewhat fortunate, eight-point lead at the first change.
Richmond 1.4 (10) Sydney Swans 2.6 (18)
SECOND QUARTER
It was again a quarter riddled by skill errors and poor decision-making, but the Tigers, unlike the first term, were able to capitalise on their dominance. Jack Riewoldt became more involved, Dustin Martin was proving too strong and clever up forward, and the Tigers were given too much space in the middle of the ground to create opportunities. It was never more evident than when Houli strolled through the centre square, took two bounces and slotted a shot at goal from outside 50. The Tigers looked in-board at every opportunity and were beneficiaries of their work with a deserved 11-point lead by the main change. Richmond 5.8 (38) Sydney Swans 3.9 (27)
THIRD QUARTER
Even though Martin's after-the-siren shot at goal sailed right for a behind, it was another impressive quarter from the Tigers. The Swans appeared likely to get back into the contest when Kennedy kicked a goal from just outside the goalsquare after a 50m penalty, but it actually stung the Tigers back into action. Brett Deledio was crucial off half-back in setting up the play and even drifted forward to kick a goal. When Nahas' hard running was rewarded with a mark and smart snap around his body for a third goal with less than a minute remaining in the term, the Tigers had all the momentum heading into the fourth quarter.
Richmond 8.12 (60) Sydney 5.11 (41)
FOURTH QUARTER
As is often the case, the first goal of the last quarter was always going to be important and, in this game, it was two tackles which epitomised Richmond's effort all day. At one end, as Goodes streamed towards goal, Houli brought the champion Swan to ground and received a free kick for holding the ball. The ball swung into the Tigers' attack, where forward Brad Miller caught a clumsy Heath Grundy in a tackle and dispossessed him of the ball. Miller earned the free kick, went back and kicked the goal, all but ending the Swans' hopes. Richmond rammed home the advantage with five more goals to sink the Swans.
Richmond 14.15 (99) Sydney 7.14 (56)
Next three
Richmond: The Tigers will be looking to finish the season on a high with three winnable games to come. Richmond plays Melbourne next Sunday at the MCG before travelling to Adelaide to face the Crows and then closing their 2011 campaign against North Melbourne in round 24.
Sydney Swans: It will be almost a do-or-die battle next week when the Swans host St Kilda at ANZ Stadium, because in round 23 they have to travel to Skilled Stadium to take on the Cats. The Swans will finish their home and away season at the SCG against the Brisbane Lions.
MATCH DETAILS
Richmond 1.4 5.8 8.12 14.15 (99)
Sydney Swans 2.6 3.9 5.11 7.14 (56)
GOALS
Richmond: Nahas 3, Martin 2, Riewoldt 2, Cotchin, Deledio, Houli, Miller, Morton, King, Vickery
Sydney Swans: Kennedy 2, O'Keefe 2, Bird, Goodes, Meredith
BEST
Richmond: Houli, Cotchin, Deledio, Rance, Martin, Nahas, Riewoldt
Sydney Swans: Kennedy, Hannebery, Mumford, O'Keefe, Goodes
INJURIES
Richmond: Batchelor (shoulder)
Sydney Swans: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Nathan Foley replaced by Mitch Morton in the fourth quarter
Sydney Swans: Brett Meredith replaced by Luke Parker in the fourth quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Grun, Jeffery
Crowd: 34, 337 at the MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
