Richmond great Matthew Richardson highlights six key points from the Tigers’ Round 5 victory over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last Thursday night.


1. It’s a really good move playing Dustin Martin inside the forward-50 area.
Genuine goalkickers at the game’s elite level are hard to find these days, but Martin has shown over the course of his league career that he consistently gets multiple shots at goal.  He had a career-high return of 33 goals in the 2012 season and has a combined total of 101 goals from his 93 games so far.  Martin is extremely strong in one-on-one contests, good overhead, quick off the mark, has terrific poise, and that special ability to make something out of nothing.   In a permanent forward role last Thursday night, he booted three goals, constantly looked dangerous, and played a key role in Richmond’s 43-point win.  Notwithstanding the fact Martin has the versatility to play a variety of roles within the Tigers’ line-up, in my opinion, he’s best suited as a forward.  That where I believe he can cause the most damage to opposition teams.

See the full range of premium and replica named guernseys at the Tigerland Superstore 

2. Jack Riewoldt again underlined that he’s at his best when he attacks the ball in the air.
Riewoldt set the tone early in the match with his decisive leading, strong marking and accurate kicking for goal.  The dual Coleman Medallist played with plenty of energy over the entire four quarters and scored his goals at really opportune times for the Tigers.  He won some key one-on-one ball in contested situations and his match statistics add further weight to the influence he exerted on the outcome – four goals, an equal team-high nine marks and a game-high six marks inside 50.

3. Ben Griffiths made another important team contribution.
Although Griffiths finished with only 11 disposals for the match, he managed to have a significant impact in his role up forward and providing ruck back-up for Shaun Hampson.  He had an equal team-high five inside-50 entries, a team-high three goal assists, four marks, and a highly impressive total of 24 pressure acts.  I really liked his follow-up efforts at the centre bounces after competing for the hit-outs.  On several occasions, he provided the team with a much-needed spark through his athleticism and impressive kicking skills.  Griffiths seems to be growing in confidence each time he steps out on the field these days, which is great to see because he clearly has all the tools required to become a key player for the Tigers.

Visit Tigerland Auctions to place your bid on a match-worn player named guernsey

4. There’s a fair bit to like about the way Nathan Gordon goes about his football.
Gordon played the sub’s role to perfection against the Lions.  He came on about midway through the third quarter, ran extremely hard, and provided the team with a boost, finishing with three goals – all in the final term.  So hard did Gordon run, it was revealed post-match he’d covered about seven kilometres in the quarter and a half he was out on the field.  That’s an amazing stat and proof of his elite running ability.  He looks like a natural forward, with the way he led up a few times, and it’s going to be interesting following his progress in the coming weeks.  The ex-Swan definitely looks like he has a fair bit to offer his new football team.

5. I can see why Ricky Petterd is so highly regarded within the four walls at Tigerland.
With 28 disposals, including a team-high 13 contested possessions, four clearances, plus an equal team-high nine marks, Petterd well and truly justified the decision of the Richmond selectors in rushing him back into the side after he’d missed the previous match with a minor groin injury.  Petterd’s versatility is so valuable to the Tigers.  He can play back, forward, through the midfield, can win the ball on the inside or outside, and he has the ability to hit the scoreboard.  Throw in the fact he’s as brave as they come, and you certainly have a valuable team member.

6. Richmond’s leaders stood up when it really mattered on the night.
The Tigers’ on-field leadership has been questioned by sections of the football media in recent weeks.  But when Brisbane hit the front during the third quarter, the Richmond leaders responded extremely well, to wrest the initiative back for the Tigers.  I’ve already mentioned Jack Riewoldt’s performance on the night, and captain Trent Cotchin was excellent, too.  With 32 disposals, including an equal team-high seven clearances, five inside-50s and four rebound-50s, Cotchin was in the thick of the action right throughout the game.  I reckon you can mark him down for another three Brownlow votes on the strength of that display as well.  And, former skipper Chris Newman had his best patch in the second half of the third quarter, when the heat was really on for the team, with some key ball gets and good rebound off half-back.