Richmond VFL is back on the winners’ list after a gritty 23-point win over Geelong at the Swinburne Centre on Saturday.
Both sides fought out a dour arm-wrestle for three quarters of the game, before a flood of goals collectively in the final term, 11 in fact, the Tigers saluting, 13.8 (86) to 9.9 (63).
Second gamer, Luke Nelson was deadly in-front of goal, finishing with a game and career-high five majors, including the sealer, his performance oozing with poise and composure.
Both sides were hellacious at the contest, neither yielding until the final siren.
Mabior Chol was set the task of combating Geelong’s quartet of ruckmen.
He continually leapt high over Zac Smith, Darcy Fort, Wylie Buzza and Ryan Abbott and was cat-like at the fall of the ball, as well as damaging up forward in the frenetic final term.
The athletic Tiger’s evolution as a leader shone bright, slotting two crucial goals. He was a vital cog as Richmond motored to a memorable win.
Shai Bolton showcased his mix of elegance and grunt, recording a game-high 12 tackles.
He was captivating with ball in hand and delivered the ball with poise and penetration.
He dribbled through the Tigers’ opening major of the final term, as the electric midfielder burst from a forward-50 stoppage, setting the hosts on a match-winning four-goal run.
Goals to Chol, Nelson and Blake Grewar followed, as Richmond raced to a 29-point lead, eight minutes into the last quarter.
Richmond had the game on its terms, but Geelong flicked the switch and its glutton of big men loomed ominous.
The Cats were able to find Buzza, who sparked the visitors with a goal from beyond the arc.
Composure would be key in the Tigers’ quest for victory, and workhorse, Tom Silvestro, held his nerve to find Chol free inside-50 shortly after Buzza’s team-lifting goal.
Chol propelled himself at the ball, marking unguarded 35-metres out on a 45-degree angle. The ruckmen’s moment had arrived.
He cooled the nerves, sent the ball on its way and celebrated as soon as the ball left his boot.
Geelong was not done.
The Cats slammed through three goals in the blink of an eye, slicing the margin to 11 points with enough time to snatch victory from the clutches of Richmond.
The ball pinged from contest to contest, and as the tension swelled around him, Nelson rode the crest of the wave, kicked his fifth major, sealing the momentous win.
Jake Aarts extended the margin with a goal after the siren, as the Tiger Army rejoiced.
While the Tigers clung to a slender five-point lead at three-quarter time, with a collective 11 goals kicked for the previous three quarters, Richmond’s seven goal final term was enough to hold the Cats at bay.
VFL senior coach Craig McRae’s pre-game address centred around embracing and celebrating the connection that the group holds dear.
Jacob Ballard, Danie Coffield, Silvestro and Hugh Beasley were the glue binding Richmond’s VFL team, helping drive connection.
The Tigers kicked the dew off Punt Road Oval and welcomed Geelong VFL after the Cats’ early morning trek up the highway.
The Cats sprang into action from the opening bounce, putting the likes of the returning Nathan Broad, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith and Coffield under the pump.
Broad, who found himself back at VFL level for the first time since Round 1, 2018, had an impact from the get-go.
He gelled instantly with VFL defenders Beasley and Coffield, as the trio asserted their aerial influence on Geelong’s bevy of big men.
The premiership defender gathered 19 disposals and a team-high six spoils. He ran his heart from siren-to-siren, showing a blend of defensive prowess and attacking flair.
Another defender who seemed to relish setting his alarm on a Saturday morning was Eggmolesse-Smith.
The dashing half-back was at his best, energetic and urgent in defence, while piercing and precise with his disposal by foot.
Geelong secured the opening major of the game after James Parson nailed his set-shot from beyond the arc at the Brunton Avenue end.
The ball was parked in the Tigers’ defensive half for most of the early going, before budding defender, Chad Harris stormed off half-back to find second gamer, Nelson on the lead.
Nelson’s guided through his set-shot for Richmond’s opening major.
The home side was able to get the game back on its terms for the remainder of the quarter, trapping the ball in its front half and gaining repeat entries inside 50.
Shai Bolton warmed into the game, and when his hack kick found its way into the clutches of Shaun Mannagh, the Tigers had their second goal, and a three-point lead.
Inaccuracy plagued both sides in the second term, before a second-game Tiger set Punt Road Oval alight post half-time.
Nelson rose to prominence in the third term, thwarting Geelong’s attacking chains on multiple occasions, leading to two majors of his own and a direct assist in the opening goal of the second half.
The crafty forward stalked the Cats’ defenders before springing to action and clutching the forward-half turnover, kicking the ball to the advantage of Grewar inside 50.
Grewar nailed the tough set-shot in the Punt Road pocket and justly rewarded the great work of Nelson.
The Tigers celebrated as one after a true “Richmond-like” performance.
Richmond will need to set its alarms once again next Saturday, June 15, as it takes on Coburg at Holm Park Reserve, Beaconsfield at 11.00am.
