The VFL Tigers defeated Box Hill by 25-points on Saturday night in Frankston, staving off a late comeback.

Richmond responded perfectly to last week’s big loss against Casey, kicking six goals in the first quarter to establish a 19-point quarter-time lead. Young Tiger Jasper Alger kicked a goal in the first 30 seconds of the game, followed by Massimo Raso only minutes later. Ruckman Oliver Hayes-Brown also started well, kicking two first-quarter goals. 

Richmond carried on the momentum in the second quarter, piling on a further five goals with Kaleb Smith and Kane McAuliffe starring. Second-gamer Sean Lai also kicked his first VFL goal with a brilliant running effort. Going into the main break, Richmond established a comfortable 39-point lead and looked to be running away with the game. 

However, the Hawks came out of half-time looking like a different side, running the gauntlet on offence and moving the ball quickly as they worked their way back into the contest. Goals to Max Ramsden and Ben Cavarra reduced the margin back to 24 points at three-quarter time as the Tigers could manage only a solitary point for the term.

In the last quarter the match really tightened up, with goals to Kye Declase and Sam Butler making things tense for Richmond.

The Tigers needed something special to gain back ascendancy, and it came in the form of McAuliffe, who won a free kick and booted a goal with a massive bomb from outside 50. Alger then kicked his third of the match to seal the game, as Richmond ran out 25-point winners and secured their first win since Round 3.

For Richmond, Smith continued his great form with a game-high 31 disposals and 10 marks, while McAuliffe (23 disposals and two goals) was also crucial. Small forwards Raso and Alger (three goals) were at their dangerous best and provided plenty of headaches for the Box Hill defence.

Richmond  6.2. 11.4.  11.5. 14.7. (91)  
Box Hill  3.1  5.1  7.5  9.12 (66)

Goals: Alger 3, Raso 3, McAuliffe 2, Hayes-Brown 2, Lai 2, Bauer, Johnson