Tigers celebrate a goal

Today's headlines

• MVP nominations for three Tigers
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Jack takes Jack
  Wed, Sep 01, 10
• No short cuts: Hardwick
  Wed, Sep 01, 10

Today's videos

• Jack on Jack
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• The best of Jack
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Clay presents Grimes jumper
  Mon, Aug 30, 10

A hard-working and desperate Richmond rained on the parade of Kevin Sheedy and James Hird, defeating the Bombers by 27 points at the MCG.

Richmond continued its strong finish to the year with a 17.17 (119) to 13.14 (92) win that featured major contributions across the board ranging from the veterans Matthew Richardson and Joel Bowden through to youngsters such as Jack Riewoldt and Jake King. The loss snuffed out Essendon’s flickering finals hopes. 

The opening of the game was swamped by the farewells to Essendon legends James Hird and Kevin Sheedy. When Hird earned a disposal within 15 seconds of the start, there was an eruption from the largely pro-Essendon crowd. In many ways, it felt as if Richmond was playing interstate with 80 per cent of the sell-out crowd backing the Dons.

From the earliest minutes it was apparent that Hird and Matthew Lloyd loomed as the biggest threat to the Tigers.

But Richmond put the opening goal on the board when Matthew Richardson marked just a metre out and converted.

The Tigers matched every challenge in the early part of the game but Essendon looked like getting the upper hand as Hird and Lloyd dictated terms to their opponents Chris Newman and Will Thursfield. Skipper Kane Johnson was productive around the field and Tivendale’s raking kicks were piercing the Essendon defence.

Young Jack Riewoldt was waved to play on when taking a set shot and seemed to surprise even himself when his 50 metre roost went through for a goal. Just on quarter time, Hird gave the Bomber fans what they wanted with a goal from a mark taken 35 metres out.

The 12-point deficit at quarter time was not representative of how close the game could have been. Richmond was undaunted and had plenty of the ball in the second quarter, but wasteful shooting for goal was costly. By the time Chris Newman smoothly guided home a well set-up goal, the Tigers had drawn within three points, but Hille answered immediately for Essendon.

It was only a temporary respite. Kayne Pettifer’s sensational mark with one hand on Nathan Lovett-Murray’s head was hotly disputed by the Bomber faithful, but he made no mistake with the shot and the difference was once again three points.

Matthew Richardson added his usual touch of spice to the game when he played on after a mark to lessen his distance but the shot went well wide. Moments later the irrepressible No.12 was again in the thick of the action when hemmed in on the boundary line. He handpassed over his head to Nathan Brown who snapped truly and put the Tigers in the lead.

Richo had worn down four opponents in an hour of football and was largely responsible for his side holding a four point lead at half-time.

Richardson’s pyrotechnics continued in the third term when he marked on the point post then wheeled around and kicked out on the full. Fortuntately Brett Deledio had drifted in for a mark and goal just moments earlier then Kayne Pettifer and Greg Tivendale nipped in for two  more. The 16-point lead was the biggest gap of the night and was thoroughly deserved.

The tide seemed to be shifting Richmond’s way as Lloyd’s shot went wide and then Hird’s fell short. But then the Bomber duo set up a goal as Hird’s hooked pass found Lloyd for a goal.

Richmond had the upper hand in general play and went to the final change 10 points ahead. Jay Schulz’s big attempt at a mark resulted in his foot crashing the head of Jay Nash and the young Bomber was stretchered off during the break.

With Essendon down to 19 fit men and the Tigers tearing into every contest, it looked unlikely that the Bombers could bridge the gap in the remaining 20 minutes. Deledio zoomed through centre half-forward for a goal then Foley added another as Essendon’s defence was in tatters.

It was a win of great quality and willpower for the Tigers and the Richmond theme song rang out loud and repeatedly in contrast to the technical malfunction after the Collingwood game.

RICHMOND   3.3   7.9   10.15  17.17  (119)

ESSENDON   5.3   7.5    9.11  13.14   (92)

Goals:
Richmond: B Deledio 2 J Riewoldt 2 C Newman 2 K Pettifer 2 J Bowden N Brown N Foley K Johnson G Polak M Richardson R Tambling G Tivendale S Tuck. Essendon: M Lloyd 4 J Hird 2 D Hille 2 M McVeigh A Lovett C Dempsey B Stanton S Gumbleton.

Best:
Richmond: M Richardson K Johnson B Deledo K Moore L McGuane C Newman. Essendon: A Lovett C Dempsey N Lovett-Murray J Hird B Stanton A McPhee.

Injuries: Richmond: D Meyer (hip) replaced in selected side by D Jackson. Essendon: C Dempsey (hamstring) J Nash (back) S Camporeale (knee).

Reports: nil.

Umpires: B Rosebury S Wenn S Ryan.

Official crowd: 88,468 at the MCG.