A key part of Richmond’s planning leading into last Saturday night’s clash with Sydney at the MCG was matching the strong Swans’ midfield.
Sydney midfielders Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker were three of the top six contested-ball winners in the competition. Throw in Swans co-captain Kieren Jack, plus Tom Mitchell, and the challenge confronting the Richmond midfielders was significant, to say the least.
Admittedly, the task was made slightly easier because of the late withdrawal from Sydney’s line-up of Kennedy, although that was offset by the absence of Tiger captain Trent Cotchin for a second successive week due to a fractured cheekbone.
The Richmond midfielders finished up taking the honours over their top-class counterparts on the night, which was a crucial factor in the Tigers’ thrilling one-point win.
Acting skipper Brett Deledio (34 disposals, with 25 coming in the first half), Anthony Miles (a career-high 31 disposals) and Dustin Martin (28 disposals) led the way in the midfield, generating substantial drive for the home side.
Largely through that midfield superiority on the night, Richmond won the contested-ball count 145 to 140, and the clearances 35 to 28.
“They’re renowned as probably the best clearance and contested side in the league, so to match them in that area was massive for our midfield group,” Miles said on 3AW.
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“That last quarter, I thought our intensity and effort around the ball was great. And (ruckman) Shaun Hampson giving us first use was fantastic as well.
“So, it was a fair effort from our midfield group, particularly without the skipper (Trent Cotchin) being there as well. And even Kane Lambert, who’s been going through the midfield and giving us something different.
“I think we can take a lot out of it, that’s for sure.”
