Sam Lloyd’s mighty, match-winning set shot after the final siren, in Richmond’s Round 8 clash with Sydney at the MCG, has been voted the Tigers’ best goal of season 2016 by Yellow and Black fans.
With Richmond trailing by five points inside the last 30 seconds of the game, dependable Tiger small backman Nick Vlastuin gathered possession of the ball deep in defence and slammed it onto his boot, desperate to gain as much territory as he could.
As if by divine intervention, the ball bounced at right angles in the middle of the ground, straight into the waiting arms of star Richmond key forward Jack Riewoldt, who promptly passed it off to big Ben Griffiths, who had kicked an AFL career-high five goals in the match.
Griffiths quickly dished the ball off to Lloyd, who marked just inside the Tigers’ forward 50-metre arc at the Punt Road end.
As Lloyd gathered his thoughts and went back to take the shot, the final siren sounded.
The equation was simple . . . kick the goal and Richmond wins by one point. But the reality of the situation was far from simple, given the pressure associated with the set shot from a fair distance out.
It was, however a cool, calm and collected Lloyd, who steered the ball through the middle of the big sticks to secure an incredibly thrilling victory for the Tigers, prompting jubilant teammates and fans alike to wildly rejoice.
Not only was it Richmond’s goal of the year, it was a clear highlight of the 2016 season from a Yellow and Black perspective.
Watch Roar Vision’s 2016 goals of the year package
The top 10 Tiger goals of 2016:
10. Shaun Grigg, Round 21 v Geelong
9. Ty Vickery, Round 14 v Brisbane
8. Jack Riewoldt, Round 2 v Collingwood
7. Kane Lambert, Round 3 v Adelaide
6. Ben Griffiths, Round 8 v Sydney
5. Brett Deledio, Round 6 v Port Adelaide
4. Daniel Rioli, Round 4 v West Coast
3. Sam Lloyd, Round 17 v Essendon
2. Sam Lloyd, Round 1 v Carlton
1. Sam Lloyd, Round 8 v Sydney
