EYE OF THE TIGER
Another Rioli on the big stage as Richmond march to the AFL Grand Final
RICHMOND have roared into their first AFL grand final since 1982 after storming to a 36-point preliminary-final win over Greater Western Sydney.
With a raucous crowd of 94,258 overwhelmingly pro-Richmond fans cheering them home at the MCG, the Tigers set up last night’s 15.13 (103) to 9.13 (67) win with a pulsating six-goals-to-one third quarter.
“I was just rapt for the players ... they’ve put in a power of work,” coach Damien Hardwick said.
“To see them lift the intensity in the third quarter then continue with the assault in the last was really pleasing.
“I thought Trent (Cotchin) and his leaders stood up and took charge of the game ... it was a very good result for our footy club.”
Cotchin, outstanding with 26 possessions, faces a nervous wait for the match review panel’s (MRP) assessment of his first-quarter hit on Dylan Shiel.
Cotchin’s shoulder made contact with Shiel’s jaw as he tried to take possession.
The GWS youngster played on for a few minutes after the blow, but then went to the bench where he failed a concussion test.
Complicating the matter is the fact the Tigers’ skipper already has two fines this season and will miss the grand final against Adelaide if he receives a third.
Hardwick hadn’t seen the incident when he spoke after the game and wouldn’t be drawn on Cotchin’s prospects with the MRP.
Territorian Daniel Rioli played the best game of his short career, kicking four goals, including two in the pivotal third term.
Brownlow Medal favourite Dustin Martin sprang to life after a quiet first half by his standards with three goals in a row to help the Tigers to a 31point three-quarter time lead.
Richmond led by a goal at the first break, but had to soak up sustained pressure in the second term. Josh Kelly was important for the visitors with a goal and 17 possessions to halftime, but a brilliant goal to Rioli put the Tigers up by a point at the main break.
Then the Giants’ resistance crumbled as Rioli and Martin had the yellow-and-black faithful in raptures as the Tigers broke the game open.
GWS needed to kick the first goal of the last quarter, but Martin booted his third.
GWS coach Leon Cameron was proud of his players, but bemoaned their inability to match the Tigers’ increased intensity after halftime.
“In the end, they deserved to win because their second half was clearly better than ours,” he said. RICHMOND V GWS GIANTS BEST 4.3 5.7 11.11 15.13 3.3 5.6 6.10 9.13 GOALS UMPIRES CROWD