Despite competing well early, the Tigers couldn’t match a strong-finishing North Ballarat and were defeated by 60 points at Eureka Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Roosters booted ten goals to two in the final term which proved to be the difference in what was a tough, tight, scrappy affair in slippery conditions.
Ruckman Orren Stephenson kicked three goals, marked strongly in defence and was the dominant ruckman on the ground. Brad Helbig continued his run of form and thrived during his spells in the midfield that saw him collect 24 disposals and five inside 50s.
After a close opening term, the Tigers came out firing in the second and booted four goals in quick succession to take the lead.
Liam McBean didn’t impact the scoreboard himself but always looked to help his teammates. He forced a turnover that created a Matt Arnot goal and the pair combined only moments later to set up Stephenson’s first of the game.
While he didn’t find a lot of the ball, Arnot’s 17 disposals at 94% efficiency ensured he had an impact.
Ben Lennon, who impressed in his return to VFL level with 24 possessions and five clearances, also hit the scoreboard by using his pace to escape an opponent and finish well, but the Roosters responded and led at the main break.
Nick Wynne was again a consistent contributor and worked tirelessly at stoppages to finish with a team-high 27 disposals. Todd Banfield tackled well while Matt McDonough, Nathan Batsanis and Aaron Davey provided run-and-carry.
The Tigers couldn’t reduce the deficit in a low-scoring third term as the sides traded goals but they again scored early in the last to get within three points.
From then on it was all North Ballarat who piled on ten unanswered goals to hand the Tigers a heavy defeat that didn’t convey the hard-fought, tight nature of the match.
NORTH BALLARAT 3.2 6.9 8.13 18.17 (125)
RICHMOND 2.1 6.1 8.4 10.5 (65)
Goals: Stephenson 3, Arnot 2, Lennon, Lloyd, Banfield, McCartney, McGough
Best: Stephenson, Helbig, Arnot, Wynne, Lennon
