Richmond’s VFL side showed plenty of spirit, but ultimately fell by 45 points to reigning premier Williamstown at Burbank Oval on Sunday.

A VFL side boasting 14 AFL-listed players, including returning ruckman Ivan Maric,  had a clear intention to earn some respect amongst the competition, and went a fair way in doing so.

The Tigers more than matched it with their classier opponent and held a hard earnt four-point half-time lead, but ran out legs in the last half, final scores reading 16.13.(109) to 9.10.(64).

Such a key to Richmond’s success at AFL-level, Maric played 75% game time and more importantly got through the game unscathed.

Maric’s leadership and presence around the ball was evident from the get-go and his teammates rose around him, and after a patchy start, Richmond began to flourish.

Richmond’s debuting VFL coach Craig McRae lauded Maric’s strength in leadership around the contest, which contributed to the Tigers winning the clearance count 50–39.

“His (Maric) leadership and aggression around the ball and his ability to impact the game when we needed him to was really pleasing,” McRae said.

“We had a plan and he did everything he needed to do."

Key forward Ben Griffiths’ temperament was tested early and led to two dubious free kicks being awarded to Williamstown, who made him pay.

Unfortunately for Griffiths, his day ended prematurely with the key-forward leaving the field in the third term with a suspected ankle injury.

In a spiteful opening stanza, three out of the Seagulls’ four majors came from free kicks, in worrying signs for the Tigers, but back-to-back goals to Liam McBean steadied the side.

When the “Ivans”, Maric and Soldo, combined for the Tigers’ third goal moments after McBean’s brace, Richmond began to surge.

Although the Tigers went into quarter time trailing by ten points, their belief and confidence was growing and came to the fore in the second term.

Richmond went into the game with a distinct plan to constrict the Seagulls’ electric outside game, cause repeat stoppages, and shut the game down, and it rattled the reigning premiers.

The plan proved extremely effective in the second quarter as Richmond’s inside midfielders Adam Marcon, Andrew Moore and Jason Castagna bullocked the ball forward, and Richmond pressured at will.

In a see-sawing affair, Richmond’s senior contingent led from the front, as Steve Morris and Jake Batchelor stood tall down back, and youngster Nathan Broad springboarded off half-back.

Taylor Hunt’s excellent smother saw the Tigers sling-shot the ball inside 50, resulting in a goal in the shadows of half-time, which handed Richmond a slender four-point lead.

Castagna found himself further afield, splitting his time between forward and midfield in a move that worked to great effect. His classy goal on the run from 45 metres out in the second term highlighted his poise, and his nine tackles, nine contested possession and seven clearances showcased his ability to compete.

McRae was quite impressed with Castagna’s surge and spread from stoppages and his pressure around the contest.

“We’re looking for someone at AFL-level to put pressure on around the ball and we threw him in the middle and he showed a bit,” McRae said.

Any momentum that was gained in the second term was disintegrated in the third, as Williamstown banged on six goals to one and the Tigers looked to be labouring.

The intensity at the contest remained for the Tigers, but poor skill execution and decision making restricted them from mounting a significant challenge and trailed by 29 points at the final change.

The Tigers refused to yield and continually willed the ball forward in the last quarter but struggled to find a target inside 50, as the Seagulls coasted home.

Off-season recruit Andrew Moore (15 tackles and 16 contested possessions) stood out, while Batchelor (eight marks and five tackles) and Hunt (23 disposals and 10 handball receives) provided plenty of drive.

Castagna, McBean and Tom Couch kicked two for Richmond, wih Nick Mellington, Anthony Scott and Soldo bagging singles.

Richmond faces Footscray at Punt Rd Oval next Saturday April 16 at 12pm, which will prove to be another challenge with the Bulldogs fresh off a 49-point win.