Richmond great Matthew Richardson highlights six key points from the Tigers’ Round 13 loss to Fremantle at the MCG last Saturday.

1. Anthony Miles is a beauty.

In just his second game for Richmond (and only 12^th overall of AFL football), Miles was clearly the side’s best player.  The tenacious young midfielder had a team-high 30 disposals, including a team-high 15 contested possessions, a team-high 10 clearances, and an equal team-high six inside-50s.  From the opening bounce to the final siren, Miles was relentless in his pursuit of the ball, and his attempts to provide the Tigers with a boost around the packs.  I just love the way he goes about it.

2. Nathan Foley showed some really encouraging signs.

The now-veteran Tiger midfielder has been building up to form over the past few weeks, after a fairly slow start to the season, and on Saturday he produced his best performance of the season.  He finished with 27 disposals, which was his best return in a match since 2012, had an equal team-high six inside-50s, five clearances, seven tackles and kicked a goal.  Most importantly, Foley is looking to take the game on again, and use his pace to break the lines, as he did so effectively for the team a few seasons ago, before being plagued with injuries.  It’s great to see the 28-year-old having renewed confidence to play with that boldness.

3. Alex Rance provides the Tigers with great value.

Rance again highlighted his worth to the team with another top-class display in the back half.  Not only is Rance as brave as they come, and really adept at nullifying the opposition’s most dangerous key forwards, he also finds plenty of the ball himself.  He had it 29 times against the Dockers on Saturday, and took a team-high 10 marks.  His ability to win the ball back off the opposition is elite, and he, undoubtedly, is one of the first picked in the Richmond side each week.

4. Ricky Petterd is proving to be a pretty handy pick-up for Richmond.

I really like the fact that Petterd gives it a fair dinkum crack all the time on the field, regardless of the calibre of the opposition.  Whether he’s been playing in Richmond’s AFL or VFL team, the ex-Demon hasn’t shirked any issues.  He’s constantly put his body on the line and done whatever he could to help the Tigers.  Petterd was one of the team’s best against the Dockers, with 23 disposals, seven tackles and two goals.  In seven AFL matches this season, he’s averaging just over 20 disposals, and just under a goal a game, which is a really solid return.

5. Dustin Martin continues to display an impressive level of consistency.

After his breathtaking four-goal, first-half blitz against North Melbourne the previous round, Martin wasn’t as spectacular on Saturday, but he was a consistent performer right throughout the four quarters.  He had 28 disposals, took nine marks, laid four tackles and kicked a goal in a performance that would have strengthened his claims for an inaugural Jack Dyer Medal this year.  It was the eighth time in 12 games this season Martin has had 25 touches or more, which underlines just how reliable he’s been.

6. Richmond’s effort most certainly was there, but a lack of composure was telling.

The Tigers won the contested-ball battle (129 to 127), the inside-50 count (51 to 37), the tackle tally (61 to 51), had more total disposals (407 to 312), more marks (95 to 67), and the same number of scoring shots as the Dockers on the day (25 apiece).  Unfortunately, however, they weren’t as efficient as last year’s Grand Finalists.  Richmond just made too many errors during the game, which were pounced on by the experienced Fremantle side and turned into goals.  Full credit to the Tigers, however, for fighting the game right out and giving the Dockers a bit of a scare late in the final term.  A massive task awaits Richmond at the MCG on Friday night, when it takes on premiership favorite Sydney, with ‘Buddy’ Franklin firing on all cylinders.  But, as the Western Bulldogs showed on Sunday against the highly-rated Collingwood, you can take nothing for granted in this competition.  The Dogs were able to dig deep and confound the critics with a major upset win.  Wouldn’t it be great to see the Tigers follow suit against the Swans under the Friday night MCG lights!