Richmond has cruised to a 66-point win against a dramatically undermanned Port Adelaide side at Lavington Sports Ground in Albury.

Dustin Martin was the standout, with 27 touches and seven clearances.

It was the highlight of an otherwise uninspiring affair, with the young Power outfit overwhelmed by a nearly full-strength Tiger line-up, captained by Brett Deledio. 

 

Four goals to small forward Sam Lloyd, who played eight games in his first season last year, was another positive in the lopsided contest. 

 

The early scenes were reminiscent of last year's elimination final between the two teams, except it was the Tigers directing one-way traffic this time and the Power left to work out how to stop the flood.
 

 

With Shane Edwards, Shaun Grigg and Deledio starting well and Ivan Maric dominating Jarrad Redden in the ruck, the Tigers raced to a 38-0 lead by quarter-time. 

 

So comprehensive was the Tigers' dominance that the Power's first score – a rushed behind seven minutes into the second term – was met with jeers from the pro-Richmond crowd. 

 

Port’s first goal, which went to Aaron Young 10 minutes later, received the same treatment. 

 

With the exception of Trent Cotchin, who is expected to return from hamstring soreness in the coming weeks, the Tigers had their top 10 placegetters from last year's best and fairest count on the field. 

 

The Power had none of theirs. 

 

Captain Travis Boak, Robbie Gray, Justin Westhoff, Jay Schulz, Brad Ebert and Alipate Carlile didn't make the trip, and Ollie Wines, Matthew Lobbe and Tom Jonas were pulled out when the squad was trimmed just before the bounce.

 

But a young forward line, built around The Recruit’sJohann Wagner and another first-gamer in Jesse Palmer, struggled to match the likes of Troy Chaplin and Alex Rance. 

 

The Tigers' pressure across the ground was excellent in the first half as they monstered the young Power side and they easily found targets.

 

They handed Jack Riewoldt and Ivan Maric the red vests at three-quarter time and the sting went out of the game late, with Port managing three goals in the fourth term. 

 

RICHMOND            ​0.6.2  1.8.5   1.11.9   1.14.10 (103)

PORT ADELAIDE ​0.0.0   0.1.1     0.2.2          0.5.7 (37)

 

Richmond: Lennon

Port Adelaide: Nil 

 

Richmond: Lloyd 4, Edwards 2, Ellis, Hunt, Lennon, Lambert, Gordon, Riewoldt, Vickery, Batchelor 

Port Adelaide: Young 2, Clurey, Broadbent, Redden

 

Richmond: Martin, Houli, Lloyd, Grigg, Chaplin, Edwards, Deledio

Port Adelaide: Mitchell, Broadbent, Clurey, Polec, Young

 

Richmond: Nil 

Port Adelaide: Impey (hamstring soreness – pulled out before the game)

  

Richmond: Jack Riewoldt and Ivan Maric subbed out at three-quarter time for Todd Elton and Liam McBean

Port Adelaide: Jasper Pittard subbed out at three-quarter time for Sam Russell 

 

Reports: Nil

 

Umpires: Nicholls, Kamolins, Edwards, Mollison

 

Official crowd: 8451 at Lavington Sports Ground