In a special post-season series launched today on richmondfc.com.au, we’re selecting our top three in each of 10 categories that we’ve created. First-up, in no particular order, it’s the Tigers’ top three wins of the 2015 season...
Round 10 v Fremantle, Domain Stadium
Richmond entered this match against Fremantle as a clear outsider, given the fact the Dockers were unbeaten on top of the ladder after nine rounds and it was being played on their home ground.
The travelling Tigers, however, were simply superb from the outset.
They jumped Fremantle with a devastating eight-goal opening quarter burst, and then showed admirable resilience to withstand the inevitable challenge from the home side, to record a highly-commendable 27-point win.
Dustin Martin was at his dynamic best for Richmond, picking up 34 disposals, Brandon Ellis was prominent with 26 touches, while Ty Vickery kicked three goals in a valuable display up forward.
The Tigers’ defence, led by Alex Rance, Troy Chaplin and Bachar Houli, kept the Dockers’ forwards in tight check and also provided strong rebound.
Round 13 v Sydney, SCG
At half-time of this clash, Richmond was staring down the barrel of a big defeat, trailing by 32 points, and with just three goals on the board.
But the Tigers stormed back into the contest in the third term with their captain Trent Cotchin providing plenty of inspirational drive with his ball-winning exploits.
Cotchin was well supported through the midfield by the likes of Anthony Miles, Dustin Martin, Brandon Ellis and Shaun Grigg, while up forward Jack Riewoldt ran riot.
Riewoldt finished with six goals, as Richmond surged to a mighty, fighting 18-point victory.
Star key defender Alex Rance, also again was a major contributor for the Tigers, restricting dangerous Sydney spearhead Lance Franklin to just two goals and winning 22 disposals himself.
Round 18 v Hawthorn, MCG
Under the Friday night lights at the MCG, Richmond stunned Hawthorn, and the football world, with a super-smart strategic showing that produced an 18-point win.
The Tigers cast aside the disappointment of their heart-breaking, four-point loss to ladder leader Fremantle the previous week, to execute a clever game plan that basically revolved around denying the powerful Hawthorn combination access to the ball for as long as possible.
Incredibly, the Hawks, who had won their previous three games by a combined total of 299 points, were held goalless in the first quarter, while Richmond managed to score three goals – all from the talented boot of key playmaker Brett Deledio.
Although Hawthorn hit back hard in the second term, to take a narrow lead into the half-time break, the Tigers remained composed and totally committed to the cause.
They regained the ascendancy in the third quarter, posting 3.4, and again holding the Hawks goalless.
Richmond saw off Hawthorn’s challenge in the final term to register a win that was right off the top shelf.
Deledio finished with four goals in a typically polished performance, while Anthony Miles (30 disposals), Dustin Martin (27 disposals), Brandon Ellis (27 disposals) and Trent Cotchin (24 disposals) were excellent through the midfield.
