RICHMOND has survived a dismal day in front of goal and narrowly escaped a damaging defeat in a nervy 12-point victory over Greater Western Sydney at a sodden Skoda Stadium on Saturday.
Needing a win to stay within the reach of the top eight, the Tigers led by just six points 21 minutes into the final term following a goal to substitute and first-gamer Sam Schulz and a Callan Ward behind.
But two goals in two minutes to Daniel Connors late in the fourth quarter allowed Richmond to escape with an 11.20 (86) to 12.2 (74) victory over a gallant Giants outfit and just improve to 6-6 for the season.
GWS was well in the hunt for just its second victory of the year deep in the final quarter and, while the home side just fell short, it will earn plenty of plaudits for its fighting display.
Brett Deledio stood out in the dreadful conditions, finishing with 31 possessions and a goal, while Jack Riewoldt and Connors kicked three goals for the visitors.
Jeremy Cameron continued his outstanding season for the Giants, kicking three goals, while Phil Davis and Chad Cornes provided plenty of resistance in the backline and Toby Greene added two goals.
No.1 NAB AFL Draft Pick Jonathon Patton also showed some good signs in his first game, kicking a goal and providing a target up forward and across the ground.
The Tigers dominated possession in the early exchanges, but were unable to convert it into points, twelve inside 50s to zero over the opening 10 minutes resulting in one solitary behind for the visitors in a sign of what was to come.
The pressure eventually told on the Giants, with goals to Daniel Jackson, Riewoldt and Shane Edwards giving Richmond some reward for effort.
GWS was able to steady, however, answering with majors to veteran James McDonald and Patton to remain in touch.
Patton got off to a slow start in the atrocious conditions, but the 19-year-old showed snippets of his promise late in the opening term.
First he demonstrated his terrific hands by taking a strong contested mark ahead of Matt Dea on the wing late in the term, before racing up the ground and snaring another grab at the top of the goalsquare 45 seconds later.
He kicked truly on a slight angle for his first AFL goal as the Giants headed to the first break trailing by 14 points.
That deficit was then slashed to just two points within two minutes of the second quarter, with goals to Cameron and Greene stunning the Tigers.
Richmond responded with four straight behinds before a Trent Cotchin goal helped establish only a two-goal edge at half-time.
The Tigers continued their wasteful ways in the third term, kicking 3.7 to the Giants' three straight goals to stretch their lead to 19 points at the final change.
Richmond then dodged a massive bullet in a frenetic final term to remain in the hunt for September action.
RICHMOND 4.2 6.7 9.14 11.20 (86)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 2.0 5.1 8.1 12.2 (74)
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Connors 3, Edwards 2, Cotchin, Deledio, Jackson,
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 3, Greene 2, McDonald, Palmer, Patton, Phillips, Schulz, Shiel
BEST
Richmond: Deledio, Conca, Edwards, Houli, Martin, Ellis
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron, Davis, Cornes, Greene, McDonald, Ward
INJURIES
Richmond: Edwards (ankle)
Greater Western Sydney: Haynes (groin) replaced in selected side by Whiley
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Brett O'Hanlon replaced Jake Batchelor in the fourth quarter
Greater Western Sydney: Sam Schulz replaced Mark Whiley at three-quarter time
Umpires: Stevic, Kamolins, Mitchell
Official crowd: 7,358 at Skoda Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
