AFL-listed midfielders Nathan Foley and Corey Ellis have led Richmond’s VFL team to an impressive 53-point win over the Frankston Dolphins on Anzac Day.
Ellis and Foley put their names forward for senior selection, along with key forward Ty Vickery, who booted four goals in the win.
Foley finished with a game-high 30 disposals and 16 clearances, including 12 touches and six clearances to quarter time.
Ellis was equally dominant around the contest. He finished on 24 disposals, 11 clearances and managed to push forward and kick a goal.
“Nathan Foley has now played his second or third game back. He’s an AFL quality player and our AFL team needs his ability to win the ball and get to contests,” VFL coach Tim Clarke said post-game.
“We need Nathan back in the team and, at the moment, hopefully he can get back in.
“Young Corey Ellis is really putting his hand up for selection now, he’s just been getting better every single week.”
Clarke was pleased with the way the team managed to bounce back after last week’s disappointing 15-point loss to Coburg.
“The boys were put under enormous pressure from Coburg and the boys didn’t handle it very well,” he said.
“We spoke about it during the week and we knew that Frankston were going to try and do the same thing. But our boys were much better in handling that situation.
“It was led well by the pressure our mids put on around the ball, to not only win it but also to put pressure on Frankston’s midfielders.
“Our forwards chased as well as I have seen them chase, and our backs protected as well as they have been able to so far this year.
“It was a real team effort, but it was led by the guys in the middle who just really won the contested ball all day.”
Others to impress included Shaun Hampson, who finished on an outstanding 69 hitouts, and Jaryd Cachia, who won 26 disposals and provided great run through the midfield.
Richmond will look to replicate their efforts next Saturday, when it faces Geelong at the ME Bank Centre in Round 3.
FINAL SCORES
Richmond 2.4 5.7 8.10 15.12.102
Frankston 0.0 0.1 3.6 7.7.49
BEST
Foley, Cachia, C.Ellis, Wynne, Barlow, McQualter, Hampson, Wall, Castagna, Vickery
GOALS
Vickery 4, McBean 3, Lennon 2, McGough 2, Hampson 1, Aarts 1, Wynne 1, C.Ellis 1
