Tigers spread the load
“RICHMONDY” used to be an uncharitable piece of slang but things have changed.
The Tigers’ 10-point win over North Melbourne was rather Richmondy — and coach Damien Hardwick loved it.
A term once applied to the Tigers’ ability to find new ways to inflict heartache on their fans can now be used to describe an AFL win stemming from an even team performance with contributors across every line.
It is not to say Trent Cotchin was not huge in the thrilling win at Etihad Stadium.
But Cotchin had plenty of support from most of his 21 teammates.
“That’s what we’re really happy with,” Hardwick said.
“Cotchin was outstanding and (Kane) Lambert and (Josh) Caddy, but we don’t need to rely on one player standing up. They just move aside and let the next player come in and fulfil his role better.”
Cotchin had 37 possessions and kicked a pivotal goal, while Caddy kicked four goals and Lambert three.
The brave Kangaroos led by two points early in the final term. But the reigning premier found a way to grind out its seventh win of the season — its sixth in a row — to remain atop the ladder after eight rounds. And it did it without a great deal of help from Dustin Martin. The Brownlow medallist had master tagger Ben Jacobs for company for much of the contest and the Roos midfielder restricted Martin to 16 possessions. But he still found a way to influence the game late.
He was redeployed up forward and had a hand in Cotchin’s goal then found Dan Butler, who kicked the last goal of the contest.
Ben Cunnington played arguably the best game with a record 32 of his 38 possessions contested.
For a team widely expected not do much this season, the Roos will take plenty from the performance that left them 10th with a 4-4 record.
“It’s mixed emotions . . . we’re disappointed that we didn’t get the result,” coach Brad Scott said. “But I don’t think we lost any self-belief.
“The majority of footy is giving yourself an opportunity to win and I thought we did that.”
Coleman Medal leader Ben Brown, who booted two goals, missed two set shots as time ran out.
North defender Luke McDonald was reported for a high bump on Lambert in the first quarter.