Richmond’s renowned group of defenders were at their intercept and rebounding best in yesterday’s success against Hawthorn at the MCG.

Superbly led by Alex Rance, the Tiger backs formed a brick wall that the Hawks found largely impenetrable until the last quarter.

They took 53 marks between them out of a team total of 102 – Rance 10, Bachar Houli 11, Nick Vlastuin 10, David Astbury eight, Brandon Ellis six, Jayden Short six, Dylan Grimes two, with several of them crucial intercept grabs.

And they provided quality rebound exiting Richmond’s defence – Rance with a game-high nine rebound-50s, Vlastuin five rebound-50s, Astbury four rebound-50s, Short five rebound-50s plus 500 metres gained and Houli three rebound-50s, along with 384 metres gained.