Richmond great Matthew Richardson highlights six key points arising from the Tigers’ 39-point victory over Essendon in last Saturday night’s final home-and-away round clash.
- Brandon Ellis is a running machine.
If you wanted further proof of Brandon Ellis’ powerful “engine”, it was made crystal clear under the MCG lights. The talented 20-year-old racked up a game-high 35 disposals – an amazing 34 of them uncontested. Throw in a game-high 16 marks, and his elite running ability is plainly evident. It’s going to be a big test for him in Sunday’s big elimination final against Carlton, particularly when you consider how dominant he was in the opening quarter of the clash with the Blues three weeks ago, before being tightly tagged out of the contest after that. I’m sure he will have learned plenty from that game and will be itching to go on Sunday. Regardless of what happens, however, Ellis has had an excellent second season of AFL football and I’m confident he’s going to carve out a great career at Tigerland.
- Daniel Jackson has boosted his claims for an inaugural Jack Dyer Medal.
Jackson finished the home-and-away season strongly with another top-class midfield display against the Bombers. He picked up an equal season-high 30 disposals, including a game-high eight inside-50 entries and added another goal, to take his season’s tally to a career-high 18. The 10-year Tiger veteran is in the best form of his career and would have to be rated as one of the most improved players in the competition. With his strong build and fierce appetite for the contest, Jackson shapes as the ideal type of player for the September action.
- Dylan Grimes is gathering momentum.
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that Dylan Grimes appeared a bit rusty after missing so much football this season due to a foot injury. Well, I saw some really good signs from the talented, young defender in last Saturday night’s game. He had 15 disposals, including six intercept possessions, and just attacked the ball with a lot more confidence than he had since returning to the Richmond line-up. Going into the finals, Grimes’ steady return to form is a significant factor for the Tigers, given his composure and all-rounds skills set in defence.
- Orren Stephenson has provided Richmond with admirable ruck back-up this year.
The mature-age recruit again showed in the final round why the Tigers were keen to secure his services as insurance in the ruck department. Stephenson was influential against the Bombers, gathering 14 disposals, taking four marks and winning 15 hit-outs. His valuable performance on the night enabled the team’s No. 1 ruckman Ivan Maric to spend a lot more time “resting” up forward which, coming into the finals, will be very handy from a freshness perspective. With several key Richmond players in line to return for Sunday’s elimination final, it remains to be seen if Stephenson retains his place in the line-up. But I reckon he’s certainly done enough when required throughout 2013 to warrant at least one more year on the playing list.
- Defence again was the cornerstone of Richmond’s success.
For the 11th time this season, Richmond kept its opposition to 10 goals or under, restricting Essendon to just 9.11 (65) in total. Incredibly, the last time the Tigers managed this mighty defensive achievement, was way back in 1965, which, I’m reliably informed, was a particularly wet season with a lot of matches played on muddy grounds. Richmond finished the home-and-away season ranked No. 3 overall in the competition in terms of points against. So, even though the Tigers have been criticised at times for their low tackle count, the team’s overall defensive work certainly stacks up with the best going around. The Richmond backline is elite when it comes to winning the ball back off the opposition.
- Richmond can be well pleased with its 2013 home-and-away season, but . . .
With 15 wins, seven losses, fifth place on the ladder at the end of the home-and-away rounds, and a finals berth for the first time since 2001, there surely couldn’t be a Tiger fan on the planet not pleased with that return this year. That said, however, as coach Damien Hardwick mentioned in his post-match press conference last Saturday night, a new season starts now. The next challenge for the Tigers is to prove they have what it takes to stand the heat of a pressure-packed finals series. Taking on arch-rival Carlton at the MCG on Sunday, in front of an anticipated crowd of 90,000, is a great way for Richmond to relaunch in September. The Blues had Richmond’s measure three weeks ago, as they have on 10 of the last 11 occasions. There is no better time, however, for the Tigers to turn the tables, and announce themselves on the September stage . . .
