Richmond coach Adem Yze has praised the strong contest and defensive efforts his team displayed in Saturday night’s 49-point win over West Coast.
The Tigers notched back-to-back wins for the first time in two years with the 16.9 (105) to 8.8 (56) triumph, which was also the largest margin of victory and highest score the Club has recorded under Yze.
The contest flipped when Maurice Rioli laid a spectacular chase down tackle late in the first quarter, and Yze highlighted that moment as a game changer.
"We were a little bit sketchy at the start of the game, but we needed some adjustments, and Maurice Rioli’s rundown was the spark that we needed,” Yze said.
"From that moment, I felt like our game was on really. It was the way we wanted to play."
Richmond lifted after the tackle and continued to pour on the pressure throughout the game, which resulted in an eight-goal blitz in the third quarter which put the result beyond doubt.
While many will look to the Tigers’ electric offensive explosion, Yze emphasised how important the contest and defensive elements of the performance were.
"We're really proud as a footy club. We haven't won two in a row for a little while and we were on the road with a young squad," Yze said.
“Our second half, we played the right way…we were really hard to play against.
“Our team defence looked really organised, hard to play against, tough to move the ball from one end to the other.
"Our contest work was next level. Plus 21 (contested possessions) in a half of football is a great effort.
“I thought our ball use was very good in the second half.”
Another key adjustment in the second half was moving Jack Ross onto West Coast star Harley Reid, who had 20 disposals at the main break.
After Ross helped quell the influence of Essendon’s Zach Merrett last week, he did the same against Reid, limiting him to just seven touches in the second half.
“At half-time, we made the decision to try and shut (Harley) out, and I think he kept him to the seven possessions in the second half, which is an amazing effort by Rossy,” Yze said.
“Rossy had 25, so it was a really nice blend.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON JACK ROSS' BIG GAME
The result was further evidence of the positive journey Richmond is on, as the Club’s mix of youthful exuberance and veteran leadership continues to drive the Tigers forward.
“Our leaders just stood up again,” Yze said.
“The guidance they’re giving our younger players is just exactly what I need as a young coach, and then the young boys are providing a lot of spirit and energy.
“When you add those two things together, hopefully we can bounce back really quickly.”
The challenges don’t stop for the Tigers, with a date with old rival and the top of the ladder Collingwood next Sunday at the MCG, in the annual Alannah & Madeline Foundation match.
“Collingwood obviously provides a different threat, but we’ll go there with some excitement, test the best team in the competition and see how we go,” Yze said.
