The Tigers started well in the first quarter piling on immense pressure forcing Geelong into making mistakes. Richmond dominated possession in the first with their own brand of run and carry, using the handball to great effect.
We started well tackling and getting first use of the ball, Martin, Cotchin, Grigg, Foley and Tuck tackled, handballed and ran the ball out of the centre. Rance, Grimes and Houli solidified the defence. At the end of the first we were only one kick behind 4 - 1 - 25 to 3 - 1 - 19.
Both teams seemed to play better into the breeze, with the demolished grand stand making that end of the ground unpredictable, nullifying the advantage of the wind. There was a change of tactics in the second trying to use the wind advantage and bomb it long over the back of the defence. Unfortunately the unpredictability of the wind pushed us wide and couldn’t stick a major in the second, while Geelong used the sheltered side of the ground to their advantage scoring 3 goals 2 behinds and at the major break we were 21 points behind.
After the major break things got really exciting for Tiger fans, with the boys winning the third and fourth quarters. The Tigers piled on the pressure locking the ball in the forward 50 at the start of the third, and eventually Nahas was able to convert. Nahas finished with two for the quarter whilst Grigg was able to gain space on the overlap run 50 metres and kick truly.
The Tigers were within one goal in the last minute of the third until Motlop made a brilliant run and kicked a goal. Within two goals at the start of the last Matt White kicked truly, and half way through the last the scores were levelled.
The star’s for Geelong stood up in the last few minutes of the game and was able to get a 10 point advantage and won the game by that margin.
After round 2 Dimma said we were closing the gap, with the performance on the weekend I am a believer. The boys took on one of the toughest assignments in the AFL and stood tall. They had a plan to play to the conditions and to break through the Geelong press and were able to execute it very well. There were times when the execution wasn’t 100% but the overall intent and skill was definitely a major feature of the game.
Moreover what I really like is the belief and attitude at the club. In press conference afterwards Damien Hardwick was quoted as saying we don’t accept “honourable losses” and that we had come to win believing that they are a much better side this year. To me this is a sign that we are maturing nicely and still I reckon knock over a few big scalps this year and play finals footy.
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