Richmond’s VFL squad has succumbed to a fast-finishing Sandringham, by 45 points on Saturday afternoon at the ME Centre.
After dominating disposal early, the Tigers led for most of the game, taking a seven-point lead into the final break.
But after a four goal to five third quarter in Sandringham’s favour, the Zebras stormed out of the blocks in the fourth, piling on an early lead, which quickly grew to eight unanswered goals.
VFL coach Tim Clarke said he was extremely disappointed with the way the Tigers finished the game.
“At the start of the game we played some really good footy, but we couldn’t control it the way we would like going forward,” he said.
“We had a lot of inside 50s, we moved the ball well, and the players were playing well. But we just couldn’t score.
“That’s a problem when you’ve got an inexperienced side at times. You play some really good footy and then you let yourselves down at times.
“You just hope that as a coach, and as a team, that the let downs don’t hurt you too much on the scoreboard, and they didn’t for the first three quarters. But from there they really got a hold of us in the last.”
Despite applying relentless pressure and holding Sandringham goalless in the second quarter, the Tigers only managed one goal and four behinds themselves, taking a 14-point lead into half time.
The half time margin was to be Richmond’s biggest for the day.
Liam McBean kept Richmond in the contest up forward, kicking three goals in the first half and a total of four for the game.
Reece Conca also provided flashes of brilliance through the middle. He finished with 28 disposals, laid five tackles and appears to be recovering well after spending a considerable amount of the season on the injury list.
Matt Arnot topped the possession stats with 33 (15 contested) and was an integral player in Richmond’s forward transition.
The game marked the return of Corey Ellis after several weeks on the sidelines. He got through the game unscathed and injected some much-needed finesse at times. He also managed to push forward and kick a goal.
Richmond will be tested again next week when they face ladder leader Box Hill on Saturday.
FINAL SCORES
Richmond 3.3 4.7 8.7 8.9 57
Sandringham 2.4 2.5 7.6 15.12.102
BEST
Arnot, Cachia, R.Conca, Astbury, Dea, Scott, Barlow
GOALS
McBean 4, Menadue, Ellis, Gordon, L.Conca
