Richmond VFL topped Box Hill by 22 points, 14.9 (93) to 11.5 (71), in its third practice match of the pre-season on Saturday morning.

Under the scorching sun at the Swinburne Centre, the VFL Tigers took to the field, led by vice-captain Mutaz El Nour in skipper Lachlan Street’s absence.

After two consecutive slow starts against the Magpies and the Kangaroos in the two previous practice matches, which saw the Tigers concede a combined total of 10 goals in first quarters, they reversed the script and were up for the contest in the heat.

A classy finish from Judson Clarke on the burst from outside 50 was the Tigers’ only goal for the opening term, and they trailed Box Hill by two points at quarter time.

Scoring was opened up in the second quarter by AFL-listed Category B Rookie, Oliver Hayes-Brown, whose strong mark in the goal square saw him convert his first major in the Yellow and Black.

The remainder of the quarter was an arm-wrestle. The Tigers found two more goals in the quarter, courtesy of a crafty Chad Harris, who set up Mohammed Yassine inside-50.

Yassine then found Archie May later in the quarter, who slotted a beautiful set-shot from the pocket.

After five lead changes and four Box Hill goals in the second quarter, the Tigers trailed by eight points at half-time.

In a tight contest, the third quarter was the separator for the Tigers. Despite Box Hill hitting the scoreboard early that quarter, it was their only major for the term, as the host side kicked seven unanswered.

Within ten minutes of play, the Tigers slotted four goals straight through Cam Olden, Matthew Coulthard, Liam George, and Judson Clarke, who kicked his second after another beautiful finish from outside the arch.

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VFL Highlights: Practice Match v Box Hill

Check out the Match Highlights from Richmond's VFL Practice Match against Box Hill.

The stand-in skipper then got in on the action. After the Tigers moved the ball quickly from coast-to-coast, El Nour floated forward from defence and made it five in a row for the Tigers after running into a vacant goal square.

Chad Harris created another opportunity for the Tigers, setting up Matthew Coulthard for his second goal.

Coulthardthen  backed up his second major with some strong forward half-pressure, which set up Hugo Ralphsmith to boot the Tigers’ seventh of the quarter on the breath of the three-quarter-time siren.

The Tigers led by 28 points at the final change and were in the driver’s seat to win their first practice match of the pre-season.

George became a multiple goalkicker after a clever finish. His work was quickly followed up by Mykelti Lefau, who kicked truly from a set-shot for his first, extending the Tigers’ lead to 40 points.

Box Hill then had a period of dominance in the quarter, booting four unanswered. After pegging the lead back to 16 from 40, they had given themselves a chance.

VFL Practice Match: Richmond v Box Hill

See all the best photos from Richmond VFL's practice match against Box Hill on Saturday, March 9 at the Swinburne Centre, taken by Riley Lockett.
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However, a downfield free kick awarded to Lefau in front of goal saw him kick his second of the quarter, and the settler for the Tigers.

In a tight and even contest, the Tigers’ third quarter proved to be the difference between the two sides, and they emerged victorious for their opening win of the pre-season.

Richmond VFL will take on Carlton in its final pre-season match next Thursday, March 14 at the Swinburne Centre from 4.00pm, a curtain raiser prior to the Round 1 clash between the two AFL sides.

Richmond 1.4 4.7 11.9 14.9 (93)

Box Hill 2.0 6.3 7.5 11.5 (71)

Goalkickers: Clarke (2), Coulthard (2), Mykelti (2), George (2), Yassine, El Nour, Ralphsmith, Olden, May, Hayes-Brown