Despite a well-rounded team performance on Saturday afternoon, the Richmond VFL squad lost narrowly to Footscray in its final practice match of the pre-season.
After clawing back a three-goal deficit in the third quarter, the Tigers fell seven points short in a game which saw the lead change multiple times in the last quarter.
In a much-improved performance to the previous week against Essendon, players linked up fluently through the midfield and managed to hit up targets effectively.
Shaun Hampson juggles the ball under pressure. Photo: Matt Johnson
The game also saw the return of midfielder Nathan Foley. In half a game, the AFL veteran added a level of class around the ball, and made it through the game unscathed. He finished with 12 disposals and six clearances.
As a team, Richmond dominated the clearances, with 53 to Footscray's 28. This was facilitated largely by the ruck work of Shaun Hampson, who gained 40 of Richmond's 48 hit outs.
Chris Knights shone throughout and was dominant around stoppages. He finished with a game-high 29 disposals and eight clearances.
Richmond forward Reece McKenzie evades a Footscray opponent. Photo: Matt Johnson
The Tigers’ top pick in the 2014 draft, Corey Ellis, looked strong across half back, winning 20 disposals and four clearances.
Captain Jaryd Cachia also improved on his last outing, collecting 20 disposals, five clearances and kicking his first goal in the yellow and black.
Others to impress included Jayden Short, with 20 disposals and two goals, and Nick Wynne, with 21 disposals.
Richmond will meet Coburg at Piranha Park next Saturday in Round 1 of the VFL home-and-away season.
Final scores
Richmond 12.7.79
Footscray 13.8.86
Goals:
Richmond – McBean 2, Short 2, Knights, Cachia, Barlow, Aarts, McDonough, Hampson, Quinn, McKenzie
Footscray – Hamilton 3, Dale 2, Hrovat, Stevens, Buchannan, Campbell, Kelly, Fort, Hayes, Redpath
Richmond best: Knights, Wynne, C.Ellis, Short, Cachia, Barlow, Arnot
