The Tigers have suffered their fourth loss of the season, going down to Hawthorn by 66 points in front of 52,990 fans at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
Hawthorn shot out of the blocks, kicking the first three goals of the game before Shane Edwards opened the Tigers’ account with a set-shot set up by Nathan Gordon.
Turnovers from defence hurt the Tigers early, with Hawthorn scoring 23 points from turnovers in the first quarter, but the Hawks also had trouble converting, kicking 4.7 and keeping the Tigers within striking distance at the first break.
The match evened up in the second term due to a midfield arm-wrestle which resulted in both teams only managing six scoring shots between them.
At half-time the game looked within reach for the Tigers, despite being 26 points down, with efficiency in the forward 50 being the main problem in the deficit for the Tigers.
Cyril Rioli took the game away from Richmond in the third term, kicking four of Hawthorn’s eight third quarter goals to set up the victory.
Again, Richmond had their opportunities, but kicked 1.5 to Hawthorn’s 8.1 which opened up the gap between the two sides significantly.
David Astbury continued his stellar season, keeping Jarryd Roughead to only the one goal and giving him little space, while Dylan Grimes kept the in-form Jack Gunston to just two goals.
Jack Riewoldt tried hard all day in a hard-fought battle with Josh Gibson, collecting 16 disposals (nine contested), six marks and kicking two goals. His desperation was evident all afternoon, with a goal assist to Dustin Martin while battling three opponents was one of the highlights of the day.
Brandon Ellis provided his best return for the season, finding the football 32 times, with nine marks, six rebound 50s, five inside 50s, one goal and two goal assists off the wing.
Reece Conca got into double digits in the tackles column for the second time this season with 11 (averaging 6.8 a game), to go with 18 disposals in a hard-fought effort.
Will Langford had the run-with role with Trent Cotchin, but again the captain was one of the Tigers’ best with 21 disposals, eight clearances, seven tackles and four inside 50’s.
The Tigers face Geelong next Sunday afternoon at the MCG.
RICHMOND 2.0 3.1 4.6 7.10 (52)
HAWTHORN 4.7 6.9 14.10 18.10 (118)
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Edwards, Martin, Jackson, Ellis, Petterd
Hawthorn: Rioli 4, Hale 2, Hodge 2, Breust 2, Gunston 2, Lewis, Puopolo, McEvoy, Roughead, Hill, Burgoyne
BEST
Richmond: Astbury, Ellis, Riewoldt. Grigg, Jackson
Hawthorn: Rioli, Hodge, Mitchell, Duryea, Hill, McEvoy, Hill
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Sam Lloyd replaced by Matt McDonough in the third quarter
Hawthorn: Ben Stratton replaced by Jonathan Simpkin at three-quarter time.
Reports: Josh Gibson reported in the final term for striking Reece Conca.
Umpires: Fisher, Rosebury, Hosking
Official crowd: 52,990 at the MCG
