Richmond great Matthew Richardson highlights six key points arising from the Tigers’ decisive 41-point victory over West Coast in last night’s big Round 10 encounter at Patersons Stadium.
1. Matty White set the tone for the night with his boldness.
In the first quarter, when the Eagles were playing the better football, it was Matty White, who helped Richmond stay in touch due to his readiness to take the game on with his blistering pace. White ran hard to create space, kicked a goal, and provided the team with plenty of energy. He continued to play on quickly at every opportunity in the second quarter, as the Tigers seized control of the match, and by half-time had racked up 13 disposals. Although he wasn’t quite as prominent in the second half, I thought his overall contribution to the team’s big win was significant. He really showed the way early with his daring play, and that then rubbed off on the rest of the playing group. The fact he finished with a team-high, eight inside-50 entries, was added proof of the influence he exerted.
2. Alex Rance played his best game of the year.
Star Eagle spearhead Josh Kennedy looked extremely dangerous early on and was threatening to have a big night, but after quarter-time Alex Rance shut him completely out of the game. Rance won some telling possessions deep in defence, provided some good run out of the backline, and his kicking efficiency was the best it’s been all year. I thought the Tiger full-back played the percentages really well, kicking long when he had to, and hitting targets with most of his kicks. And, as per usual, he displayed first-class desperation and courage.
3. Aaron Edwards added a different dimension to the Tigers’ forward line.
The ex-Eagle and Kangaroo, in his debut for Richmond, provided a strong contest playing high half-forward, 60-80 metres out from goal. He showed real conviction in the way he went about it, and laid some good tackles, including the one that earned him a free kick and subsequent goal from the goal square, late in the game. Edwards presented strongly, took six marks, was lively, and used the ball well.
4. Brett Deledio showed fine leadership.
For the second time this season, Deledio responded superbly after being scrutinised quite heavily, through various football media outlets, leading into the game. Back in Round 7, he produced a best-on-ground performance against Port Adelaide, following a week of intense examination. Last night, at Patersons Stadium, he was fairly quiet in the first quarter, but worked his way into the game in emphatic style after that. Deledio finished with an equal-team high 25 disposals, including six inside-50 entries, an equal-team high six tackles, a team-high seven clearances, and was the highest-ranked Richmond player on the ground. With his powerful running and slick ball use, he again showed why he is such a pivotal factor in the Tigers’ line-up.
5. Steven Morris leaves nothing on the field.
The small defender gives it everything he’s got every time he steps out on the field of battle for the Tigers. I would imagine he’s one of the first picked each week, too, given he plays in a very similar manner to the way his coach, Damien Hardwick, did during his playing days at Essendon and Port Adelaide. Morris is a fierce competitor, who hates being beaten in any contest. The importance of the job he did against West Coast last night, thoroughly smothering one of the competition’s elite small forwards in Mark LeCras, should not be underestimated. He kept the dangerous LeCras to just eight touches and no goals, which is no mean feat. It further underlined why Steve Morris is so highly regarded at Tigerland.
6. It was Richmond’s most complete team performance this season.
There were no absolute, outstanding individual efforts in the Tigers’ side, but there were 22 solid contributors, who all played a part in the convincing victory. The players carried out team instructions to the letter, for the whole game, and reaped the rewards as a result of their hard work. Apart from those players I’ve already mentioned, captain, Trent Cotchin, was inspirational with his courageous attacks on the football, as was former skipper, Chris Newman. I thought Ivan Maric battled his guts out against West Coast’s All-Australian ruck pair Dean Cox and Nick Natanui, and the Tiger teenager who makes me sound like a broken record – Nick Vlastuin – yet again played with composure and maturity way beyond his years. He is a ripper. From an overall team perspective, the tackle numbers were up, which will please a lot of people. Most importantly, the team played with real intensity and commitment for the full four quarters. That’s the Tigers’ benchmark for the rest of the season . . .
