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Tigers fall short against the Cats
Richmond has suffered its third defeat in the opening five rounds of the 2015 season, falling to Geelong by nine points at the MCG.
Richmond has suffered its third defeat in the opening five rounds of the 2015 season, falling to Geelong by nine points at the MCG.
A four-goal burst late in the second quarter proved the difference between the two sides, with a late Tiger rally not enough in front of 45,228 fans.
The Tigers were a vastly different side in the second half, after kicking just two goals in the opening two quarters.
Bachar Houli was Richmond’s most consistent performer over four quarters, winning 33 disposals and laying eight tackles.
Brandon Ellis (32 possessions), Dustin Martin (31) and Trent Cotchin (28) got plenty of the ball, and Jack Riewoldt was the Tigers’ only multiple goalkicker, with three.
Shaun Grigg was given the task of minding Joel Selwood, and he was excellent during the three quarters he spent on him, keeping the Cats skipper to 11 disposals.
As in previous weeks, Richmond won the key statistical categories, including overall disposals, clearances, tackles and inside 50s.
On a perfect day for football, Richmond was held goalless in the first term, though it missed three gettable set shots, and had four of the last five scoring shots.
Conversely, Tom Hawkins booted two goals from his three opportunities to give the Cats a nine-point lead at quarter time.
Playing his first game of the season, Ty Vickery bobbed up to kick the first goal of the season term after he was set up by Steve Morris.
Shane Edwards capitalised on a defensive error from Geelong to dribble through a response to a Josh Walker six-pointer to make it a two-point ball game midway through the quarter.
But a four-goal burst from the Cats, three as a result of Richmond turnovers, put 28 points between the sides at half time.
The Tigers swung David Astbury forward at the start of the third quarter, and the margin was reduced when Bachar Houli kicked truly from a set shot.
In a brief period of dominance from the home side, Jack Riewoldt kicked two goals in as many minutes, to bring the margin back to 15 points.
Cotchin collected 11 disposals and kicked a goal in the third stanza, to help inspire his team.
But it was in vain, with Steven Motlop effectively ending the contest with a goal in the first 30 seconds of the last term.
The Tigers rallied late, kicking the last four goals of the game, including the first for the career of Corey Ellis, who had 13 disposals in an encouraging debut.
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