At the midway mark of season 2017, richmondfc.com.au presents the top five in-match moments from a Yellow and Black perspective (in chronological order) . . .
1. Dustin Martin’s mighty barrel v Carlton, Round 1, MCG
Dustin Martin had been superb throughout the first three quarters of Richmond’s big season-opener against the Blues, and a major factor in the Tigers gaining a clear ascendancy on the scoreboard. But early in the final term, Martin took his game to an even higher level, producing something truly spectacular. Gathering the ball deep in defence, Dusty launched a towering, old-fashioned torpedo punt from the back of the centre square that sailed all the way into Richmond’s forward-50 area, where Josh Caddy, in his debut appearance for the Tigers, managed to cleverly soccer through a goal that broke Carlton’s back.
2. Trent Cotchin’s inspirational, match-saving tackles v Collingwood, Round 2, MCG
With Richmond clinging to a small lead late in time-on of the last quarter, and the Magpies on the charge, Cotchin stepped up to repel them in stirring style. The Tigers captain laid two tremendous tackles throughout the final five minutes of the match – one inside Collingwood’s forward-50 on young Magpie Tom Phillips, who was streaming goalwards, the second a great grab on Pies’ midfielder Adam Treloar, that stopped him dead in his tracks as he was dashing out of defence.
3. Daniel Rioli’s magical goal v West Coast, Round 3, MCG
During the early stages of the third quarter, the super-talented, second-year Tiger conjured something truly special, in keeping with the famous Rioli surname. He contested a high ball in Richmond’s forward-50, won it on the ground near the boundary line, saw off Eagle opponent Brad Sheppard, then delivered a handball to teammate Dion Prestia. The script was already written in Rioli's head by that stage, and he gleefully accepted the ball back from Prestia, before steering through an amazing banana/checkside goal from the tightest of angles, much to the sheer delight of the Tiger Army.
4. Jack Riewoldt’s match-winning sixth goal v Melbourne, Round 5, MCG
After trailing by 20 points at three-quarter time in the blockbuster Anzac Day Eve match against Melbourne under the MCG lights, Richmond had fought back tenaciously in the final term to draw level at the 27-minute mark, when Kane Lambert scored a behind. Moments later, Tiger skipper Trent Cotchin took advantage of a decisive Toby Nankervis ruck hit-out on the centre wing and burst forward. His kick was marked deep in the right forward pocket at the city end of the ground by star key forward Jack Riewoldt, who had been in red-hot form throughout the night, with five goals to that stage. Riewoldt soaked up the pressure riding on the kick and coolly slotted through his sixth goal from the tight angle to lift Richmond to a rousing victory.
5. Toby Nankervis’ match-sealing goal and match-saving mark v Essendon, Round 10, MCG
Mature-age ruck recruit Toby Nankervis further underlined his value to Richmond, in his debut season at the Club, with a stirring last-quarter performance against Essendon in the blockbuster ‘Dreamtime at the G’ encounter. Seven of Nankervis’ 13 disposals for the match came in the frenetic final term, including an inspirational, match-sealing goal, followed by a match-saving mark deep in defence. With Richmond clinging to a nine-point lead, and a couple of minutes still to play, Nankervis received a handball from Shane Edwards and calmly slotted through a goal from 50 metres out. Shortly afterwards, with the Bombers pressing inside their forward-50, Nankervis took an excellent intercept mark and chewed up some valuable time before driving the ball out of danger to ensure the Tigers would get over the line.
