Richmond and Geelong couldn't be split in Round 8 of the VFL on Saturday at the Swinburne Centre.
In a game that struggled to flow at times, the Tigers and Cats were locked on 75 points each at the final siren.
Bigoa Nyuon’s right fist was the hero, as Geelong’s shot to score after the siren fell short and was quelled by the Tiger big man, the final score reading 11.9 (75) to 10.15 (75).
AFL senior coach, Damien Hardwick felt the Tigers’ “heartbeat” return on Friday night and Steve Morris implored his men to keep that rhythm going.
The Tigers fielded yet another debutant, with Matthew Clarkson pulling on the Yellow & Black for the first time in his career.
Clarkson couldn’t escape the Sherrin in the opening term, racking up a game-high 10 disposals and showcasing his dash and poise.
Geelong started the game with the ball parked in its front half, with the Tigers recording their initial inside 50 over five minutes into the first quarter.
The Cats struck first before Brad Melville launched a missile from beyond the arc to kickstart the goal tally for the Tigers.
Geelong answered back, before Angus Hicks curled through a left-foot check-side from beyond the boundary line much to the delight of the Tiger faithful in attendance.
Richmond was able to hold the Cats in its front half for portions of the first quarter, however, the visitors edged clear by eight points as the quarter-time siren sounded.
The fabric of the Tigers’ win at senior level was the ability to overwhelm Geelong with maniacal blitzing pressure, and then send a powerful Yellow & Black wave goalward.
These trademarks were embodied in the opening goal of the second quarter.
Richmond forced the turnover at half-back and exploded from congestion with the ball ending up in the hands of sharpshooter Garrett McDonagh, who pierced a left-foot bullet through the teeth of goal.
The goal sparked the Tigers, as Kaelan Bradtke led and marked strongly, then effortlessly launched a long-range goal from the paint of 50.
The Cats hit back, which was usurped by a Noah Cumberland crumbing goal.
The scoring pendulum swung back in favour of Geelong as it took a two-point lead into the main break.
Geelong methodically built on its lead in the third term, pushing the margin out to as much as 22 points.
Richmond sensed the urgency and ramped up the pressure.
The Tigers swamped the Cats, and importantly cashed in with goals to Tom Brindley and Harrison White, cutting the deficit to 10 points by the final change.
The opening goal of the last quarter was going to be crucial, and whist Geelong had its chances, Nyuon struck the first blow for the Tigers.
Cumberland then capitalised on some slick ball movement by Richmond, calmy slotting his second goal, dragging his side within a kick of the lead.
Geelong looked to have sealed the win with back-to-back goals, but the plucky Tigers would not lay down.
Cam Olden found himself in space close to goal, as Hicks threaded the Sherrin between a sea of blue and white hoops to find Olden who marked and goalled.
Cumberland then latched onto a laser pass from McDonagh and importantly snapped his third goal to slice the deficit to a solitary point.
Olden had a chance to snatch the lead for Richmond, however his set-shot drifted to the right of the goal post, tying up the scores.
The Cats rolled the dice, pumping the ball inside 50, but Richmond’s defensive contingent held firm before Jacob Bauer pass floated over the fingertips of Sam Banks and into the arms of a Cat.
Geelong’s kick after the siren hung high and hovered against the sky and was blasted away from the goal line by Nyuon, sealing the draw.
RICH 2.2 5.5 7.7 11.9 (75)
GEEL 3.4 5.7 8.11 10.15 (75)
Goal Kickers:
Richmond: Cumberland (3), White, Olden, Nyuon, Melville, McDonagh, Hicks, Brindley, Bradtke
Best Players: Trezise, Banks, Melville, Street, Clarkson, Elliot
