IT TOOK 10 rounds but Richmond has registered its first win for the season, downing a disappointing Port Adelaide by 47 points in horrendous conditions at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In holding the Power and their depleted forward line to the lowest score in the club's history, the Tigers built a 29-point lead by the main break and kicked four goals to one in the second half to win 10.17 (77) to 3.12 (30).
Tough onballer Shane Tuck revelled in the heavy conditions, finishing with 31 disposals (18 contested), nine clearances and 14 tackles.
Captain Chris Newman (23 possessions and six tackles), Trent Cotchin (25 disposals and six clearances) and first-year midfielder Dustin Martin (21 possessions and 11 clearances) dominated around the stoppages.
Port lost Dean Brogan to back spasms before the first bounce and Angus Graham took full advantage to finish with 34 hit-outs and 14 tackles.
In-form forward Jack Riewoldt kicked four goals - including a second-term effort sure to feature in many highlight reels - and Ben Nason had three.
The Power, missing regular forwards Robbie Gray, Warren Tredrea, Daniel Motlop (club suspension) and Jason Davenport (AFL suspension), managed just three goals through Brett Ebert, Daniel Stewart and Cameron Hitchcock.
Parts of AAMI Stadium were under water in the first quarter, but the torrential rain and gale force winds didn't seem to affect the competitive Tigers.
Riewoldt and Robin Nahas gave the visitors a dream start, kicking the opening two goals of the game.
Ebert and Hitchcock responded for Port, but any impetus was stalled when Ebert (concussion) was taken from the ground on a stretcher and Hitchcock injured his shoulder.
Midfielder Steven Salopek added to the Power's woes, injuring his shoulder in an innocuous collision, though he and Ebert would later return.
Riewoldt kicked the opening two goals of the second term to increase the margin to 17 points and another goal to Nason gave the visitors an unassailable lead.
Port Adelaide 2.3 2.4 3.10 3.12 (30)
Richmond 3.4 6.9 7.11 10.17 (77)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Ebert, Hitchcock, D.Stewart
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Nason 3, Nahas 2, Tambling
BEST
Port Adelaide: Boak, K.Cornes, Carr, Cassisi, Thomas
Richmond: Tuck, Cotchin, Martin, Newman, Deledio, Riewoldt, Graham, Cousins, Nason
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Brogan (back spasms) replaced in selected side by Salter, Ebert (concussion), Hitchcock (shoulder), Salopek (shoulder)
Richmond: Griffiths (corked thigh)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Kennedy, Ryan, Wenn
Official crowd: 16,694 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
