RICHMOND captain Trent Cotchin has led his side to a 28-point win against Port Adelaide at Mount Gambier in the JLT Community Series on Sunday.
While windy conditions meant it was an error-riddled contest, Cotchin showed his class in the first half particularly as he picked up 16 disposals in just 58 per cent of game time.
It was a successful return for Alex Rance after hamstring tendinitis forced him to miss the clash against Adelaide last week. He picked up 12 disposals and two contested marks as his side won, 0.11.13 (79) to 0.7.9 (51).
Jack Riewoldt looked dangerous in the first half particularly, with the dual Coleman medallist playing deep forward and booting two goals and taking four marks inside the 50m arc.
Cotchin's most brilliant play took place in the first quarter when he won a clearance at half-back and pushed forward, finding the ball again before breaking a tackle and nailing a 55m left-foot kick at top pace to Jason Castagna.
The 2012 Brownlow medallist looked dangerous whenever he ran through the middle of the ground in what looks like a formidable group of onballers. Anthony Miles was another to impress as he won five clearances to show the form that saw him finish fourth in the Tigers' 2015 best and fairest.
Dustin Martin spent time in the forward line and showed the strength that makes him one of the most fearsome one-on-one players in the competition as he booted a goal to combine with his 17 disposals, playing just over half the game.
Worryingly for Port Adelaide, running defender Jasper Pittard appeared to suffer a left hamstring injury in the second quarter and sat out the rest of the contest. Chad Wingard copped a corked right thigh in the final quarter and will be assessed.
Power draftee Sam Powell-Pepper showed strength in the contest far beyond his years and seems a strong chance to be named in the side for round one, although a botched handball in the third term allowed the speedy Dan Butler to boot a goal.
It was a relatively quiet start to 2017 for Robbie Gray as he notched up eight disposals after he had his workload managed against St Kilda last week.
Paddy Ryder had the better of Toby Nankervis in the ruck contests but the new Tiger was clearly the better man around the ground, finishing with 15 touches, five marks and a goal to Ryder's five touches and one mark.
However, Matthew Lobbe was not overly influential either, giving Ken Hinkley something else to think about before the season begins.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Port Adelaide: The ruck situation will be tough for Ken Hinkley to sort out. Neither Ryder nor Lobbe were convincing, although it's harsh to expect too much from Ryder after he missed all of last year through a doping ban. Charlie Dixon might be another candidate for the role after he struggled in the forward line with just six disposals. That situation would see Ryder in attack and Lobbe out of the team again after he battled last year.
Richmond: There hasn't been a lot of optimism surrounding the Tigers after a disappointing 2016 but given a reasonable run with injuries, this is a side that should be in finals contention. They made the top eight for three years straight prior to last year because their best players were able to carry a heavy load, and they've added another star in Dion Prestia, although the former Sun sat out on Sunday. Jack Riewoldt and Alex Rance are close to the best combination of bookends in the competition while Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin have been excellent for several years. All four looked in good nick against Port in a sign the Tigers might be back on track.
NEW FACES
Port Adelaide: Sam Powell-Pepper is far stronger than a 19-year-old should be and often disposed of his opponents with ease. There were a few errors, including a decision to bump when he could have tackled, but he will only improve. Brett Eddy looks a lock for the forward line – he's dangerous and has a nice set shot. His effort in the third term from close to the boundary was impressive. Draftee Joe Atley is well sized for a midfielder, has a bit of dash and nailed a goal on the run, while Willem Drew sat out the first half and didn't have a great impact when he came on.
Richmond: The trade for Josh Caddy meant Damien Hardwick has a deeper midfield, although the former Cat and Sun didn't have a huge game. He took a nice mark playing deep forward in the second quarter but fluffed the set shot. Toby Nankervis was outbodied in ruck contests early by Paddy Ryder but he had 15 disposals and took a nice pack mark early in the game. His five tackles led the Tigers and added some welcome grunt around the contest.
NEXT UP
Port Adelaide wraps up its pre-season against Hawthorn next Sunday in Noarlunga, South Australia, while Richmond comes up against Collingwood on Saturday in Moe, Victoria.
PORT ADELAIDE 0.3.2 0.4.3 0.7.4 0.7.9 (51)
RICHMOND 0.2.3 0.8.6 0.9.10 0.11.13 (79)
SUPERGOALS
Port Adelaide: Nil
Richmond: Nil
GOALS
Port Adelaide: S.Gray, Westhoff, Atley, Dixon, Eddy, Polec, Impey
Richmond: Lloyd 3, Riewoldt 2, Martin, Vlastuin, Castagna, Butler, Rioli, Nankervis
BEST
Port Adelaide: Wines, Boak, Polec, Hartlett
Richmond: Cotchin, Rance, Miles, Riewoldt, Lloyd, Ellis
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Pittard (left hamstring), Wingard (right thigh)
Richmond: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Schmitt, Glouftsis, Hosking, Ryan
Official crowd: 4649 at Malseed Park
