Richmond great Matthew Richardson highlights six key points arising from the Tigers’ 62-point loss to North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium last Saturday.
- Trent Cotchin tried valiantly to lift the team.
Despite the, at times overwhelming odds, the Tigers skipper never stopped trying to provide a spark for the side against the Kangaroos. Cotchin had a game-high 13 contested possessions, a game-high nine clearances, and an equal-game high six inside-50 entries in his 25 touches all-up. He reaches league football’s 100-game milestone up in Cairns against the Gold Coast on Saturday and it would be fitting if he could lead the Tigers to what would be an important win there.
- Matt White continues to have a significant impact in the ‘sub’ role for the side.
It was a bit different for White last Saturday, coming on to the ground in the first quarter after young teammate Brandon Ellis was forced off with concussion. As sub, he’s usually seen only about a quarter and a half of action. In typical style, White quickly had an impact, through his valuable run-and-carry. By game’s end, White had racked up 19 possessions, including a team-high five rebound-50s, and booted two goals, to be one of Richmond’s best performers on the day.
- Steven Morris further underlined his value to the Tigers’ line-up.
The courageous, fiercely-determined small defender added another impressive string to his bow under the Etihad Stadium roof last Saturday. Morris applied his trademark defensive pressure, as evidenced by his 21 pressure acts, including five tackles. But he also managed to drift forward and kick two goals, to be the team’s equal-leading goalkicker on the day. Regardless of the scoreboard, Steve Morris knows only one way to go about his football – flat out. He bleeds Yellow and Black.
- Nathan Foley is getting right back to his best form.
Foley’s ability to pick up 24 possessions in a side that suffered such a decisive defeat, to me, showed how well he’s progressing on the comeback trail from the severe Achilles injury he suffered around this time last year. With an equal-game high six inside-50s, plus six tackles, Foley’s performance highlighted his capacity to excel in both the offensive and defensive aspects of the game.
- Bachar Houli’s absence was sorely felt.
Houli was a late withdrawal from the Richmond side last Saturday due to a bit of hamstring soreness, and the Tigers clearly missed his rebound off half-back. He’s been in career-best form this season, using his run-and-carry and raking left foot to full advantage for the team. Without him, Richmond didn’t look as sharp coming out of defence, and North managed to really exploit that.
- Richmond must bounce back after being given a football lesson by the Roos.
The Tigers had every reason to be confident going into the game on the back of four solid wins in-a-row. Unfortunately, however, they were no match for North from the outset. The Roos seemed really switched on, hungry, strong, and slick with their skills – a combination that Richmond simply couldn’t handle on the day. It was disappointing, but the real test of the Tigers’ mettle is how they respond straight away, against Gold Coast in Cairns on Saturday. I’m confident they will hit back hard.
