The VFL Tigers have made it back-to-back wins, beating Coburg at Piranha Park on Saturday afternoon by 32 points.
A strong eight-goal-to-four second half allowed Richmond to pull away from the fast-starting Coburg, with the full-time score reading 9.7 (61) to 13.15 (93), despite the hosts trailing by only six points at half-time.
It marks the second time this season the Tigers have won two-in-a-row, and they improve to a four-and-one record in season 2024.
In an inefficient opening term for the Tigers, they found their first two majors through spearhead Jacob Koschitzke and vice-captain Joel Garner - his first goal in the Yellow and Black.
The hosts kicked the final three consecutive goals of the quarter to take a four-point quarter-time lead.
A positive for the Tigers was the return of Kane McAuliffe after his omission from the AFL’s side.
Picking up where he left off in the VFL, McAuliffe was strong with 22 disposals, five tackles and five clearances.
A beauty from the pocket was Lachlan Wilson’s first goal for the club, and the second of the quarter for the Tigers.
He was instrumental in the middle, racking up 17 disposals, six tackles and six clearances for the afternoon.
Another highlight for the Tigers was skipper Lachlan Street in his new defensive role.
Playing at centre half-back, he was a standout on Saturday afternoon with 27 disposals and eight marks.
Steely Green, Mutaz El Nour and Tom Brindley were also strong in the first half.
Despite taking a six-point lead into the main break, Coburg were up for the fight, topping Richmond in disposals, marks, clearances and inside-50s up to half-time.
After a 10-minute goalless period, Cam Olden broke the deadlock with his first of the afternoon in the third term.
Tall-forward Archie May soon made it back-to-back goals in the quarter and established a commanding 22-point lead.
Street continued to dominate at centre half-back, as McAuliffe’s impact on the game out of the middle was on show.
AFL-listed players such as Kaleb Smith and Matthew Coulthard provided a spark that led their side taking a commanding 21-point lead at three-quarter-time.
In the final term, the Tigers finished the game strongly, hitting the hosts for five majors.
It was Richmond’s potent forwards, Archie May, Sam Davidson, Cam Olden, Noah Cumberland and Samson Ryan that converted in the final quarter, and extended the margin out to as large as 37 points.
Despite a strong first-half showing from Coburg, Richmond’s maturity and class proved to be the difference, and they emerged as 32-point winners on Saturday afternoon at Piranha Park.
The Tigers can now finish as high as fourth on the Smithy’s VFL Ladder by Round 6’s conclusion, and will look ahead to their next challenge against ladder-leaders Footscray on Sunday, May 12 at the Swinburne Centre.
Coburg 3.1 5.2 6.3 9.7 (61)
Richmond 2.3 5.8 8.12 13.15 (93)
Goalkickers: Ryan (2), Olden (2), May (2), Koschitzke (2), Wilson, Garner, Davidson, Cumberland, Coulthard
Best: Street, McAuliffe, Smith, El Nour, Brindley, Garner, Wilson
