TIGERS’ STREAK ALMOST BROKEN
FOR three quarters at the MCG, Richmond played like a side with bigger things on their mind.
But some much-needed final-quarter focus helped the minor premiers secure a threepoint win over the Western Bulldogs to round out a stellar regular season.
The flag favourites outlasted the surging Bulldogs in a match that was tight in margin but the Tigers, for the first three quarters at least, were distracted by other things.
Would Jack Riewoldt kick enough to win a third the Coleman medal and kick his 600th career goal? Could three votes to Dustin Martin help him win a second Brownlow Medal?
What’s the best way to stay injury free without looking like you weren’t going as hard as you possibly could?
Five goals to Riewoldt ensured he answered the first question, and the Tiger spearhead finished his home and away season with a seven-goal break on North Melbourne’s Ben Brown, who plays today.
Riewoldt also moved his career tally to 602, aided in part by Martin who, in the second half especially looked for his full forward at every chance.
The Champion Data Brownlow predictor put Martin just a shade behind raging favourite Tom Mitchell during the week. Martin, a class above on so many occasions against the Dogs, probably got three votes too, but whether that’s enough remains a question for Grand Final week.
He and his teammates will hope to be thinking about other things then however, and worked through their final match like finals was all they had on their mind.
Pressure is the Richmond hallmark, but it was fairly absent in an 11-goal first quarter.
The Bulldogs enjoyed the rare freedom and Jack McCrae, who finished with 43 touches, particularly enjoyed himself.
Free-flowing footy contin- ued in to the second quarter and the umpires were called on four times to give free kicks.
Richmond only laid eight tackles in the opening term.
There were only four contested marks to halftime. That says a fair bit.