Richmond’s VFL team has suffered an opening-round loss to Coburg, by 15-points on Saturday afternoon.
Coach Tim Clarke was unwilling to praise individuals after the match, which saw Coburg set up a match-winning lead in the third quarter.
“It’s difficult to say who played well in a game like that,” he said.
“I think some of the players had a better effort than some of the others, but as a team we don’t warrant highlighting anyone after such a game.
“Our boys didn’t play their role today. They went away from the way we play as a football club. They didn’t have the hunger to fight in the contest and Coburg did.
Richmond-listed rookie Matt Thomas in action against Coburg. Photo: Matt Johnson
“It was a credit to them (Coburg), they played with real hunger in the contest and then they used the ball the way Coburg wanted to use the ball.”
“Coburg really came to play and they put us under a huge amount of pressure. Our boys just couldn’t handle it very well. It was a really disappointing effort from our players.”
“We knew what they were going to do, our players just couldn’t shut it down. Around the contest our players were more than capable of winning the ball but they couldn’t win it.
“And they couldn’t turn contested situations into good, Richmond, offensive footy. It was really disappointing.”
The Tigers were coming off a narrow defeat in their final practice match a week earlier, and looked poised and competitive early.
Ben Lennon kicked the first of the day after a speedy transition of play, which spanned the length of the field.
Reece McKenzie converted from a free kick soon after, and the Tigers were quickly away to a two-goal lead.
But Coburg responded and the quarter was goal-for-goal from then on. Goal scorers included Ty Vickery, who returned after a knee-injury which saw him miss the final practice match against Footscray.
Richmond rookie Jayden Short bounds away from a Coburg opponent on Saturday. Photo: Matt Johnson
The story was much the same in the second quarter. After Coburg kicked the first two, Vickery gained his second after a strongly contested mark in front of goal.
Matt Thomas had a chance to put his team in front late in the second quarter, but his kick was smothered and the Tigers went into half time trailing by four points.
Three quick goals to Coburg in the third quarter allowed them to get away to an early lead in the second half.
While the Tigers looked competitive, but couldn’t make the most of their opportunities.
This proved costly, as Coburg managed to retain this buffer for the rest of the game.
Vickery finished with three goals, while fellow key target McKenzie booted two.
Richmond will hope to realign their season against the Frankston Dolphins, next Saturday afternoon at Frankston Oval.
FINAL SCORES
Richmond – 12.13.85
Coburg – 15.1.100
RICHMOND BEST: Cachia, Lennon, Wynne, Thomas, Ellis, Foley
RICHMOND GOALS: Vickery 3, McKenzie 2, Wynne, Lennon, Thomas, Castagna, Scott, Aarts, McBean
