Richmond 10.11-71 def by Williamstown 19.12-126
The VFL Tigers were beaten in their Round 6 clash against Williamstown on Sunday, with the Seagulls winning by 55 points at Burbank Oval.
The VFL Tigers held their own in a fast-paced opening quarter, before a nine-goal second term from the Seagulls had them in a commanding position.
The VFL Tigers, led by a 45-disposal haul from inside midfielder Brandon Wood, battled tirelessly but the hosts were resilient in defence and held onto their advantage until the final siren.
Richmond VFL and Development Coach, Craig McRae, said his side would take a number of key-learnings from the Round 6 encounter.
“When we have energy in the game, we’re a really good team,” McRae said.
“In the second quarter we were dominated in the clearances, and they hurt us.
“It was part of the game we can look back on to improve.”
In a tightly contested opening quarter, the VFL Tigers managed to carry a slender lead into the first break off the back of some authoritative play from talls Todd Elton and Callum Moore.
Elton, returning from AFL duties, kicked two goals and took four marks in a strong showing at centre half forward, while Moore picked off a Seagulls clearance to slot through the VFL Tigers’ first of the day.
Wood showed determination and grit from the opening bounce and wasted no time in establishing his presence in the middle, gathering 16 disposals, four clearances and three tackles by the first break.
However, with blustery conditions picking up in the second term, Williamstown put together a run of nine goals to one in the second stanza – establishing a six-goal lead at the main change.
Wood continued to gather plenty of the ball while the always impressive Jacob Ballard and hard-running Corey Ellis were relentless in their bids to stem the tide of the Seagulls scoring.
Tyson Stengle continued his strong form from the past few weeks, nailing an important set-shot at the start of the quarter and applying his trademark forward pressure at every contest.
The traveling Tiger faithful were also buoyed by the return of Ben Lennon, who provided an excellent outlet as he ventured higher up the ground and gathered 12 disposals and two clearances.
With a hefty deficit in tow, the VFL Tigers showed immense fight and vigour as they sought to reduce the margin.
Lennon added his first major of the day, before Elton marked and goaled for his third.
Stengle continued to be a thorn in the side of the Seagulls defence with second, adding another goal to his tally that also included 10 disposals and five tackles.
A duo of late goals to the fast-finishing Williamstown managed to stretch the lead back out to the six-goal margin in the shadows of three quarter time and despite the best efforts of the VFL Tigers, the lead eventually crept up to 55 points by the final siren.
Wood continued his industrious efforts in the middle, adding seven tackles and four marks to him impressive disposal count.
Richmond VFL captain Sam Darley led by example with an eight-disposal quarter, while Tom Silvestro also shone late as the effort continued until the final siren.
A composed Lennon set-shot was a final spectacle for Tiger fans, rounding off an impressive return of two goals, 18 disposals, three marks and two tackles.
The VFL Tigers now look to an eagerly anticipated return to Punt Road Oval for Saturday’s Dreamtime at the ‘G curtain-raiser against Essendon.
