Richmond 33.21-219 def North Ballarat 4.7-31
The VFL Tigers started the season with a bang on Sunday afternoon, defeating North Ballarat by 188 points at Punt Road Oval.
In an impressive team performance, the VFL Tigers finished with 13 individual goal kickers for a return of 33 goals, including a haul of six for Ben Lennon and five each for Jacob Townsend and Sam Lloyd.
Richmond VFL and Development coach Craig McRae said the spread of contributors across the side reflected the team-oriented approach his side took into the game.
"It just showed that we played as a team right until the end," McRae said.
"We didn't get ahead of the game, we played for each other and the scoreboard just kept ticking over".
Click here to listen to the live audio broadcast of Richmond's season opener against North Ballarat.
The VFL Tigers did not rest on their laurels at the start of the match, and established a 52-point lead at the first break with a commanding opening quarter performance.
Jake Aarts was the first player to get his name on the scoresheet in the 2017 season, nailing a difficult effort from 30 metres out on a tight angle, much to the delight of the onlooking Tiger faithful.
Aarts' classy finish sparked his fellow Tigers into action, as Townsend, Lennon and Callum Moore added goals in quick succession, before Max O'Sullivan booted his first VFL goal for Richmond with style.
Ivan Soldo was a colossus in the ruck, winning 16 hit outs and giving first use of the ball to a rampant Tigers midfield, with Anthony Miles and Jacob Townsend winning three and two clearances respectively in the opening stanza.
With a high standard set in the first term, the VFL Tigers ramped up the pressure, piling on another 10 goals to put daylight between themselves and the travelling Roosters.
Miles continued his industrious performance, getting his disposal count up to 19 by half-time, while adding two tackles and another two clearances in the process.
Sam Lloyd, having opened his goal scoring account in the first quarter, added another major and provided energy and excitement across the ground as he gathered an impressive 17 touches.
The intensity of the VFL Tigers was evident in their relentless attack on the ball, with both Townsend and Nathan Drummond finishing with six tackles each as the half drew to a close with Richmond 109 points to the good.
The third quarter followed a similar script to the first half, as the VFL Tigers continued to attack each contest with endeavour and tenacity.
As North Ballarat attempted to work their way back into the contest, Jake Batchelor and Ryan Garthwaite remained typically sturdy at the back, while they were well aided by Richmond VFL debutant Hugh Beasley.
Jacob Ballard was providing his side with a tremendous outlet moving forward, as he added to North's woes with the second of his three eventual goals.
Tyson Stengle, Mabior Chol, Tom Silvestro and Ivan Soldo also got themselves on the scoresheet as the Tigers utilised lightning-quick ball movement and precise delivery to good effect.
While North Ballarat pulled back two late goals, the relentless effort from the VFL Tigers lasted right until the final siren.
Lennon rounded off a memorable bag of goals, nailing two in the final quarter to increase his tally to six goals, as well as registering 18 disposals and two tackles in a well-rounded performance.
Townsend then added two more to his eventual five-goal performance, while also gathering 21 disposals.
Miles finished with 35 disposals and two goals to his name, while Sam Lloyd picked up 27 disposals and 13 marks along with his five-goal haul.
Jacob Ballard's 31 disposals was a highlight for the onlooking Tiger army, while Brandon Wood, Taylor Hunt and James Fletcher all finished with over 20 disposals.
Soldo finished the day with 54 hit outs, with two goals and ten disposals added for good measure.
With a Round 1 win under their belt, the VFL Tigers face an away trip in Round Two, as they face Sandringham at Trevor Barker Oval next Saturday at 2pm.
