A spirited second-half comeback by Richmond was not enough to overcome the Western Bulldogs in front of 31,724 fans at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers went down in a two-point thriller, after they had trailed by 37 points at half-time.
Richmond hit the lead in the dying minutes through Jack Riewoldt’s fourth goal, before Daniel Giansiracusa kicked his second goal of the final term to put the Dogs back in front and eventually seal the game.
The Tigers started out of the blocks slowly, trailing the Bulldogs in most key areas at half-time, including a -42 disposal differential. Richmond’s forwards were starved of opportunity, largely created by the immense pressure the Bulldogs put on around the ball. The Bulldogs hurt the Tigers the other way, scoring 66 out of their 100 points from Richmond’s turnovers.
Richmond were unable to put the clamps on the Bulldogs’ young midfield brigade, with Jack Macrae (30 disposals) and Tom Liberatore (24 disposals, 12 clearances and 12 tackles) leading the way.
Nick Vlastuin was substituted out of the game at quarter time, which gave the opportunity for Nathan Gordon to have his first run in Tiger colours. He was instrumental in the Tigers’ comeback, collecting 15 disposals (seven contested), and he also kicked a brilliant roving goal to put the Tigers back in the game in the third term.
Richmond was able to arrest control of the ball in the second-half, winning all the keys areas, but turnovers meant the Bulldogs were able to keep their side of the scoreboard ticking along.
Trent Cotchin was the Tigers’ best player on the day, collecting 28 disposals (19 contested), 11 clearances and a goal.
Riewoldt ignited the Tiger comeback with 12 disposals, nine marks (four contested) and four goals in an amazing second-half performance playing on Dale Morris.
Daniel Jackson made his comeback from injury, and was one of the Tigers’ best with 23 disposals, nine tackles, and a long goal to bring the margin back to three points in the final term.
Ben Griffiths continued his improvement with ten disposals, four marks (three contested), 19 hitouts, five tackles and two goals.
The Tigers will meet Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.4 9.5 11.9 15.10 (100)
RICHMOND 2.4 3.4 9.6 15.8 (98)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Jones 3, Giansiracusa 2, Jong 2, Crameri 2, Cooney, Higgins, Dahlhaus, Hunter, Macrae, Stringer
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Vickery 2, Griffiths 2, Cotchin, Martin, King, Petterd, Gordon, Jackson, Grigg,
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Boyd, Macrae, Murphy, Morris, Liberatore, Minson,
Richmond: Cotchin, Morris, Jackson, Conca, Ellis
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Roughead (shoulder)
Richmond: Vlastuin (concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Jordan Roughead (shoulder) replaced at three-quarter time by Daniel Giansiracusa
Richmond: Nick Vlastuin (concussion) replaced in the second quarter by Nathan Gordon
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Stevic, Harris
Official crowd: 31,724 at Etihad Stadium
