Richmond’s VFL side surrendered a 29-point quarter-time lead on Saturday afternoon as Frankston saluted by 13 points in its first win since 2014.
The Tigers burst out of the blocks and kicked five goals in the blink of an eye and then watched its advantage whittle away in the last quarter as final scores finished 14.15 (99) to 13.8.(86) in the Dolphins favour.
Richmond clung to a five-point lead at three-quarter time as senior coach Craig McRae coolly urged on his chargers for the crucial final term.
Unfortunately, the Dolphins gained the lead in the opening minute of the last and never looked back, slamming on five-goals-to-three which had the Frankston supporters in raptures.
McRae acknowledged post-game his players simply didn’t work hard enough for long enough and structurally broke down in the second half.
“Our leaders didn’t stand-up for four quarters,” McRae said.
“Our defenders lost their shape and we couldn’t get the game played in our half.”
With the late withdrawals of Jacob Townsend and Taylor Hunt, Richmond lacked an enhanced presence at the coalface, which ultimately led to its undoing.
In a dominant midfield display, Frankston dominated Richmond in the centre square, winning the centre clearances 16–4 and generated 12 of its 14 goals between the arcs.
In stark contrast, the Tigers could only muster 1.3 to the Dolphins 6.3 from stoppages, and at times were left chasing through the midfield.
In a game of territory, the game was won and lost in the midfield and the young Tigers couldn’t get the game played in their half, and eventually, the dam wall broke.
“We started to lose clearances and when it became a game of territory and played long, we couldn’t get it in our forward half and hold it in there,” McRae said.
In a lightning opening stanza, returning Tiger tall Ben Griffiths made his presence felt with imperious strength in the air and at ground level and led his side to a 29-point lead at quarter-time.
“When we were up and about, he was the main reason,” McRae said.
Griffiths had support to his left and right as Mabior Chol and Liam McBean loomed ominously as the trio bagged four of the Tigers’ six first-term goals.
Chol slotted two in the first term and finished the day with a game-high four majors in a breakout performance for the energetic Tiger rookie.
McRae labelled Chol’s performance “his best game for the club” and hopes it’s a sign of things to come.
Tenacious Richmond on-baller Adam Marcon (32 disposals) worked tirelessly, while Jason Castagna and Sam Darley had 23 touches respectively, and provided drive off half-back.
In support of Chol, Anthony Scott bagged three goals, with McBean, Soldo, Griffiths, Conca and Butler chiming in with one.
Richmond faces a stern test against Sandringham fresh-off a 28-point Round 3 win next Saturday at Punt Road Oval from 4:30pm.
Frankston 1.1-7 5.5-35 9.8-62 14.15-99
Richmond 6.0-36 9.4-58 10.7-67 13.8-86
Frankston
Goal Kickers: N. Gardiner 4, A. Wilson 3, B. Wood 3, B. Irving, C. McCartney, B. Cavarra, A. McInnes
Best Players: M. Sikora, B. Cavarra, B. Wood, C. McCartney, A. McInnes, D. Kempster
Richmond
Goal Kickers: M. Chol 4, A. Scott 3, D. Butler, B. Griffiths, L. Conca, L. McBean, I. Soldo, T. Couch
Best Players: A. Marcon, M. Chol, A. Scott, J. Castagna, B. Griffiths, A. Moore
