“We’re like a giant snowball at the moment”, Richmond VFL coach, Craig McRae.
Richmond has built tremendous momentum in its 2018 campaign, along with unwavering trust in one another, and also the system it plays.
McRae knew that it would take the collective, working in unison to keep this yellow and black snowball hurtling down the hill further in 2018.
Tyson Stengle took this feedback on literally as he steam-rolled the Kangaroos with a six-goal haul, helping his side to an imperious 85-point win.
All of Stengle’s traits were on-show, his speed, strength, savviness and selflessness wowed the travelling Tiger Army in arguably his greatest performance in the yellow and black.
The Tigers made the pilgrimage out to their second home at Holm Park, Beaconsfield keen to embrace the struggle and raise the fight against the plucky North Melbourne.
Early on the Kangaroos brought the heat, however, the Tigers weathered the early storm and exploded with a 14-goal second half, cruising to a 19.14 (128) to 6.7 (43) win.
North Melbourne held the ascendency early on through the ruck dominance of Braydon Preuss and the industrious work of VFL stalwart, Nick Rippon.
The Roos controlled the air, and trapped the ball in their half for the majority of the opening term.
The likes of Ben Miller, Dan Coffield and Brenton Credlin were under siege for the most part, but held firm and defended grimly to ensure the Roos didn’t hit the scoreboard with purpose.
Ivan Soldo was a welcome return to the Tiger line-up and the ruckmen slotted our opening major via a free-kick directly in front, which flicked his side into action.
Shaun Mannagh belied his stature to fly high and drag down a genuine hanger, but more importantly, he kicked truly, handing the Tigers the lead, which they wouldn’t relinquish.
Connor Menadue continued his rich vein of form, and he was the leader of the resistance in the opening term, then continuously burnt the Roos with speed and nous in the second term.
Tyson Stengle jagged two of his six goals in the second quarter, and caused major headaches inside-50.
The Tigers went into the main change with a 16-point lead and a boot full of momentum, which snowballed in the second half.
Stengle kicked another in the third term, after Tom Silvestro picked him out inside-50 with deft touch by foot.
The Richmond livewire then provided the highlight of the day as he danced, dodged and weaved his way through traffic, slipping tackles at will with a shimmy of the hips.
Once clear, he strolled in and could have slotted his fourth, but as is the ‘Richmond Way’, he found Jacob Townsend open in space.
Townsend then coolly nailed the set-shot, slotting his first of the game.
As has been the trend this year, teams simply can’t hang with these rampaging Tigers, and a seven-goal third term opened-up a commanding 50-point lead at the main change.
Any chance of a Kangaroo charge was snuffed out by Sam Lloyd and Tyson Stengle in a blistering four-minute patch to open the final term.
Lloyd finished the day with 38 disposals, and two goals, with his second in the opening minute setting in motion a Tiger avalanche.
Stengle then bobbed up and snapped two of his own to increase his tally to five, stretching the lead to an unassailable 68 points.
Speedster, Harry Tanner bobbed up with two goals in the last quarter to take his tally to four wins from five games at Holm Park Reserve.
Brandon Wood bullocked his way from contest-to-contest, was a strong presence and a constant threat inside-50.
Tom Silvestro was as tireless and courageous as ever, with his delivery going into forward-50 showcasing his class by foot.
It was fitting that Stengle kicked the final goal of the game, as he finished with a sparkling six-goal haul and reminded everyone of the wealth of riches Richmond has in the small forward stocks.
RICHMOND 2.2 5.5 12.9 19.14 (128)
NTH MELB 1.5 2.7 4.7 6.7 (43)
Goal Kickers
Richmond: Stengle (6), Townsend (2), Mannagh (2), Tanner (2), Lloyd (1), Wood (1), Naish (1), Ballard (1), Coleman-Jones (1), Grewar (1), Soldo (1)
North Melbourne: Jansen (1), Walker (1), Cameron (1), Preuss (1), Junker (1), Mirams (1)
