Richmond great Matthew Richardson highlights six key points from the Tigers’ Round 19 win victory over Greater Western Sydney at the MCG last Saturday.
1. Brandon Ellis would now have to be in contention for the All-Australian squad.
The talented Tiger running machine just keeps racking up big numbers. He finished with a game-high 34 disposals against the Giants, which was the sixth time this season he’d had 30 touches or more in a match. The fact he’s had 20 disposals or more every game since Round 3, really highlights the impressive consistency he’s displayed in just his third season of AFL football. Included in Ellis’ 34 disposals last Saturday were five rebound-50s, five inside-50s and eight score involvements, which further underlines his excellent work-rate. He is ranked fourth in the competition for uncontested possessions, seventh for total kicks and 10th for total disposals. Most importantly, the 21-year-old is having a significant impact in games due to his strong ‘tank’ and ability to break the lines with his hard running. It would be a fitting reward for him to be included in the 40-player All-Australian squad.
2, Brett Deledio is back to his best form.
After a frustrating run this season with a nagging Achilles complaint, Deledio has really hit his straps over the past few weeks. In the Tigers’ five consecutive wins, the dual Jack Dyer Medallist has averaged 28 disposals, including just over 10 contested possessions per game. So, he’s winning plenty of ball, both on the inside and outside, and he’s hurting opposition teams in trademark fashion, too, with his top-class disposal. Deledio had a game-high 10 score involvements in his 31 touches against GWS, along with seven inside-50s, four clearances, four rebound-50s, 10 marks and two goals. It’s a great testament to his persistence that he’s been able to emerge so well from the biggest injury setback of his decade-long league career.
3. Shane Edwards is in career-best form.
Edwards, who is fast approaching the 150-game milestone (he’s currently on 147 games) in this, his eighth season of AFL football, also has been a key contributor in Richmond’s five wins on-the-trot. He’s averaged nearly 21 disposals and 11 contested possessions over the past five games, and really added some zip to the team’s midfield. The talent has always been there with Edwards, but at times he’s drifted in and out of games, which has limited his overall effectiveness. Throughout the past few weeks, however, the 25-year-old has certainly been putting it all together in his game, and he’s become a real asset for the Tigers.
4. Jake King confirmed his status as a cult hero of the Tiger Army.
The roar that echoed around the Punt Road end of the MCG last Saturday when recently-retired Tiger Jake King walked down to join his legion of fans, was amazing. ‘Kingy’ was looking for a special way to say thanks to the Tiger Army for all the support he received from them during his league career and, in typical style, he decided to take a hands-on approach. It was the best skol of a beer from a public figure that we’ve seen since former Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s famous ‘frothy’ feat. Interesting to hear even supporters of rival league clubs, over the past few days, express their admiration for the determined way Kingy went about his football, and what he was able to achieve at the game’s highest level. The fact the little man has no chest at all, just makes his achievements even more remarkable.
5. Ricky Petterd has become a valuable weapon up forward.
Versatility is one of Petterd’s key attributes as a player and, during the second half of this season, it’s been up forward where he’s provided the Tigers with a valuable boost. He returned to the line-up last Saturday after missing the previous match with a finger injury, and immediately made his presence felt. With star spearhead Jack Riewoldt fairly well held by GWS co-captain Phil Davis, it was Petterd who bobbed up to create problems for the Giants’ defence. He booted his two goals for the match in the second quarter, and narrowly missed another shot. That was the term where Richmond set up its win, scoring 5.3 to 0.4, with Petterd being a real catalyst. He finished with an equal-team high 12 marks for the match, and his two goals were an equal-game high. The ex-Demon has had more than his fair share of injuries throughout his eight-year AFL career, so it’s good to see him finally getting a bit of continuity with his football at Tigerland. If he plays the remaining four 2014 home-and-away rounds, that will give him 16 games for the season, which will be his best return since 2009 when he played 18 games while at Melbourne.
6. It’s just one week at a time for Richmond . . .
Yes, I know it’s a boring football cliché, but it’s just so appropriate for the Tigers right now. Having strung five wins in-a-row together for the first time since 2000, some critics are pointing to the finals door still being slightly ajar for them. That’s not something which should be crossing their minds at all. They just need to focus on top-eight side Essendon on Friday night at the MCG. The Bombers thrashed Richmond when the two teams met in the Dreamtime game mid-season, so the Tigers will need to improve markedly to have a chance this time. Those five consecutive wins at least would have provided the Tiger players with a decent boost in confidence levels. And, don’t underestimate that as an achievement in such an even season, as this one has been. Regardless of the opposition, you’ve got to be doing a fair few things right to win five on-the-trot.
