The return of Brett Deledio and a home game at the MCG was not enough to inspire Richmond as they dropped a fifth straight game, outworked by Port Adelaide to the tune of 35 points at the MCG on Saturday night.
Shaun Grigg and Jack Riewoldt got the Tigers off to a handy start, snapping home the first two goals of the game from open play and building a 14-point-to-nil lead inside the opening ten minutes.
Richmond were able to maintain that lead until the latter stages of the first quarter, but once they were headed, courtesy of Charlie Dixon’s first goal and a litany of Power points, they never regained control of the match or scoreboard.
Deledio’s booming snap for his first goal of the season in the third quarter was as close as Richmond got in the second half, reducing the margin to 14 points. As they were able to do for most of the night though, Port answered back in a play which was indicative of the night, as Nathan Krakouer was left in a paddock of space on the 50-metre arc to mark and goal from long range.
Jack Riewoldt then kicked his third goal of the contest as he continues to be a shining light up forward for the Tigers, however, Richmond could only add one point in the final quarter as Port Adelaide extended their victory margin to 35.
Port’s use of the ball off their half-back line saw them launch the majority of their attacks from defence, particularly on the right-hand side going toward their goal, and outscored the Tigers by six goals from intercepts.
Matthew Broadbent and Jared Polec, as well as Jasper Pittard in the first half, led the way for the visitors in that regard, as they collected the most disposals for the Power at a high efficiency and did their damage from the defensive-side of the centre-square going forward.
While their use of the ball was better on the night, Port Adelaide also applied fierce pressure around the contest, winning the tackle count by 28 (99-71), including laying 15 more tackles in their forward half.
As well as the return of Deledio (22 disposals) and Riewoldt’s three goals, Dustin Martin returned to form for the Tigers with 31 disposals and a goal, while Grigg was able to pick up 32 touches, nine clearances and contribute two first-half goals.
Bachar Houli was the leading disposal winner for Richmond with 34, and Shane Edwards put together another solid game with 27 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 10 clearances and six inside 50s.
The Tigers' chances suffered a significant blow in the early stages of the match with Kane Lambert taken to hospital after receiving a knee to the back in a marking contest with the Power’s Brad Ebert.
Elevated rookie Jason Castagna made his senior league debut in front of a crowd of 27,077 after being a late call up to the final 22 in place of Kamdyn McIntosh. 19-year-old Castagna picked up 11 touches for the match.
After a six-day break, Richmond will host triple-reigning premier Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday night, with the Hawks coming off a 75-point loss to GWS on Saturday.
Richmond 2.2 5.4 8.10 8.11 59
Port Adelaide 2.7 7.10 11.13 13.16 94
Goals
Richmond – Riewoldt 3, Grigg 2, Vickery, Martin, Deledio
Port Adelaide – Impey 3, Young 2, Neade 2, Dixon 2, Westhoff, Broadbent, Boak, Krakouer
