Tiger train rolls on

In-form Richmond too good for gutsy Blues

PREMIERSHIP hero Jack Graham booted four goals yesterday to help Richmond consolidate its spot in the top four with a 28-point win over old rival Carlton.

The 11.7 (73) to 6.9 (45) wetweather victory at the MCG cements the Tigers’ status as the form team of the competition heading into the finals.

Since their mid-season bye, Damien Hardwick’s men have won seven straight games and averaged more than 100 points a match.

Their latest triumph came despite the absence of superstar midfielder Dustin Martin, who was ruled out with unspecified “soreness”.

The hard-fought nature of the win was underscored by the fact Carlton easily won the contested possession count and pulled to within three goals during the final term.

But, after losing last week to reigning premier West Coast, the Blues again battled out of their weight division against a classier opponent.

Relishing the rain that fell from the opening bounce, the Tigers booted the first six goals and were poised to hold Carlton to a goalless first half until Matthew Kreuzer pounced on a rare turnover on the stroke of half-time.

The Blues fought their way back into the game in the third term, led by former skipper Marc Murphy who had 12 touches and a goal for the quarter.

But the Tigers drew first blood in the final term, courtesy of Jack Riewoldt’s pack mark and goal, and had the answers for everything Carlton threw at them.

Having famously booted three goals as a first-year player in the 2017 grand final, Tigers hard nut Graham again stood tall on the big stage.

Each of his four majors came within an inspired 20minute burst either side of quarter-time that opened up the scrappy contest.

The 21-year-old also laid 14 tackles, had 22 disposals and played an important role manning up on Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps at the stoppages.

“The thing I love about Jack is he just competes,” Hardwick said. “Regardless of his possession rate, we always know he’s going to bring pressure. It was great for him to hit the scoreboard again.”