Richmond storms to another grand final

RICHMOND continued its rich vein of form and will play in a fifth consecutive grand final after bundling out OHA, who exited the Old Scholars finals in straight sets.

A highlight of Saturday’s preliminary-final clash was Richmond spearhead Alex Gilmour (100) and Ships’ Trent Standen (102) registering their century of goals for the season — but Richmond won the overall battle.

OHA had Richmond’s measure in Round 17 and began full of running but wasted early chances, while Gilmour — who entered the clash with 95 goals to his name — didn’t waste his kicks with the first two goals of the game.

Led by Shane Bradford, the Ships found their range with three majors in three minutes until Gilmour kicked his third and the Blues led by two points at quarter-time.

OHA had the better of the second quarter, where Standen kicked his second, and 100th goal for the season, giving his side a 12-point buffer at halftime.

The Ships continued on in the premiership quarter, jumping out to a 24-point lead after five minutes. But the Blues fought back with three goals in four minutes and it was game on with OHA leading by seven points entering the final stanza.

The Blues’ clinical finishing proved the difference in the end, kicking six goals to one to run out 17.9 (111) to 12.18 (90) winners.

“OHA had it on their terms for longer, but our boys dug deep when it counted and I’m proud of them,” Gilmour said.

“We looked each other in the eye at three-quarter time and went out in the last quarter showing great character and commitment.

“[It’s] one of the best wins we’ve seen at the club in a long time.”

Richmond meets DOSA in the reserves grand final after a 40-point win over St Virgil’s.