Townsville Bulletin

Riewoldt runs fading Melbourne ragged

- SAM LANDSBERGE­R

THE football gods have one mission to achieve in the next five years – get Jack Riewoldt to grand final day.

As the Richmond superstar ripped Melbourne to shreds with six goals last night, the 85,657 at a packed MCG witnessed one of the greatest sounds our great game can produce.

On these two clubs’ biggest home- and- away stage, Riewoldt marked himself a hero.

It began in breathtaki­ng fashion. From two rare forward entries, Riewoldt curled through a pair of goals – first snapping on his right boot and then the left.

The sound was spine- tingling. But it had nothing on the game- changer.

As Riewoldt lined up from the boundary at the city end and threaded the winner, the Tiger Army roared. It’s an iconic sound which has been grossly underplaye­d for the past 30 years.

And it was one you couldn’t help but want to hear replicated on a sunny September afternoon.

After a 5- 0 start, a deep Tiger September surge has never looked more likely.

Suddenly Richmond only need to win seven of 17 remaining games to return to September. The Demons are 2- 3 yet would feel they could be 5- 0.

Every loss this season has been triggered by one poor quarter. It was the fourth quarter against Geelong, third against Fremantle and fourth last night. The Demons were 23 points clear in the third quarter and seemingly home.

 ?? Tigers star Jack Riewoldt. ??
Tigers star Jack Riewoldt.

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