I’ll take an 80 point win in our last game any day,given against the hapless Demons.
In a game that never reached great heights Richmond were able to have an easy
win and for one of the few times this year allow us to watch the game and relax,
without worrying if we were going to win.
Never in doubt from the second quarter and you could say Richmond did
what they had to do,but there is lots to build on.
As for Melbourne they have got a lot of work to do.

So we finish 9th again but I don’t won’t to sound like a broken record
but we have developed a list good enough to play finals.
Will be interesting to see who is let go and what sort of players we recruit in the
draft,with Richo playing around the ground a key forward could be handy,hopefully
Cleve Hughes can step up next year.
I think it goes without saying we need another Ruckman,wouldn’t touch Jeff White,
so perhaps Robert Warnock is an option but is highly sought after.

Coburg had a big win against Bendigo and will play finals in the VFL,and with
Daniel Jackson and Greg Tivendale to drop back will be a big chance to win it.
Mark Coughlan amongst the best,and a fit Mark Coughlan would be a massive
addition to a midfield next year that now has some depth.

So no more games for Tigers,but I think you would agree it has been a pretty
good season, we are all sick of running 9th,but again we all live in hope
for finals next year.
Other than Geelong we were the most successful team for the last half of the
season winning 8 of the last 11,we did have a fair bit of luck with injuries
this year though it must be said.

Thanks everyone for your support,especially to those who have turned up
to Camelia Grove Hotel to watch the games,the numbers like today are
not always great but the company is always good.
If we are up and about next year would love to see some new faces
at our home base.

MATCH REPORT

A SEASON of hope ended in style for a Richmond side on the move when it downed wooden-spooner Melbourne by 80 points in front of 37,046 fans at the MCG.

In a game that never reached any great heights – no surprise given there was nothing other than pride on the line – the Tigers set up the victory with an six-goals to one second term before cruising away to win 18.13 (121) to 6.5 (41).

Joel Bowden, Shane Tuck, Chris Newman, Brett Deledio and a rock solid back six were superb all day for the Tigers, while Greg Tivendale, in his last game for the club, provided the day’s highlight when he drilled a 65-metre running goal midway through the second term that sent the otherwise sedate Tiger fans into raptures.

It was one of six for the quarter that effectively put the game’s result beyond doubt despite the fact there was still a half to play.

Tivendale, 29, hopes to continue his career elsewhere in 2009 and did his chances no harm with a steady 24-possession effort.

In every department the Tigers had the Demons covered.

They won the inside 50 count 67-34, had 76 more possessions, laid 17 more tackles and importantly converted possessions into scoring opportunities to register 20 more scoring shots.

The dominance was reflected on the scoreboard where the Tigers increased their lead at every change as the likes of Tuck, Nathan Foley, Kane Johnson and Bowden did as they pleased all over the ground.

In essence, it was as complete a victory as Richmond has enjoyed all season.

While the Demons fumbled and stumbled their way through the afternoon, the Tigers’ superior skill and decision making made the game all one-way traffic.

The fact Melbourne could only produce 11 scoring shots against a defence ranked 13th in the league told the story of a miserable day for the Demons.

While Melbourne failed to make the contest an interesting one, it did have reason to celebrate given it was the last appearance in red and blue for Jeff White, Adem Yze and Ben Holland.

White played his usual serviceable game in the ruck to gather 17 touches and kick two goals, Yze was handy around the ground in gathering 25 while Holland managed a farewell goal late in the third term to give himself and fans something to smile about.

Both White and Yze are looking to play on in 2009, with Carlton rumoured to be interested in acquiring White for next season.

While some careers ended others were just beginning for Melbourne in the form of Jack Grimes. While the youngster struggled in his first game, it was invaluable experience.

As it was for the likes of Colin Garland, Addam Maric, Matthew Warnock, Simon Buckley, Clint Bartram, Ricky Petterd and Cale Morton who represent a bright future for the Melbourne Football Club.

What’s needed now is patience.

Not so for Richmond, who after ending the season with 11 wins and in ninth position, can look to 2009 optimistically from a finals perspective.

DETAILS

Melbourne 2.1 3.1 4.4 6.5 (41)
Richmond 2.5 8.9 12.10 18.13 (121)

GOALS
Melbourne: White 2, Green, Holland, Sylvia, Whelan
Richmond: Deledio 4, Bowden 3, Jackson 2, Riewoldt 2, Connors, Foley, McMahon, Morton, Tivendale, Tuck, White

BEST
Melbourne: Yze, Whelan, Bruce, Warnock, Garland
Richmond: Bowden, Tuck, Newman, Deledio, Foley, McGuane, Johnson, McMahon

INJURIES
Richmond: Connors replaced Pattison in selected side
Melbourne: Petterd (hamstring)

REPORTS
Melbourne: Miller for wrestling Morton (Rich) in the second quarter by umpire Wenn.
Richmond: Morton for wrestling Miller (Melb) in the second quarter by umpire Wenn

Umpires: Margetts, Ryan, Ellis

Official crowd: 37,046 at MCG
for richmondfc.com.au
RSSFont downFont largerPrintSend to a friendJSPanel

Just a reminder that Grand Final day will be shown at the Camelia Grove
Hotel from 12 Noon on Saturday 27th of September and hope to see as many of you as possible and bring
along your friends who support other AFL teams.

Take Care all and Go the Tigers

MARK MAUNDER PRESIDENT RICHMOND TIGERS SYDNEY SUPPORTER GROUP
0437677811

Well Folks,Sadly last game of the year for the Tigers.

All in all a fairly good season,I know we are always hopeful of
a top eight finish,not to be,win this week and we will finish
9th.

Greg Tivendale has received a tap on the shoulder and has been given
a last game for the Tigers.

No suprise to see him go,a good gesture by the club to give him
a fairwell game.

Certainly one of the less controversial decisions the club has made this year.

Greg Tivendale in recent years has been a maligned player,but has given
good service to the club and by all accounts has had a really good attitude at
Coburg where he has been playing good footy.

Unfortunately he has not been able to handle the step up to AFL
footy,never more evidenced than his game against Adelaide a few weeks ago.

So we wish him well,by all accounts he wants to go on next year if he can get picked
up but not sure of his chances.

Let’s hope he finishes his Richmond career with a big win and the Tigers finish
the season on a positive note.

The game is on Sunday 2-10PM and will be shown Live at Camelia Grove Hotel.

Get along it’s always a good aftrenoon.

Many thanks to those who have turned up this year to watch games.

Greg Tivendale plays his final match for the Tigers against the Demons on Sunday, while Dean Polo, Adam Pattison and Alex Rance have been included in the extended squad.

B: Newman, Thursfield, Moore
HB: Schulz, McGuane, McMahon
C: Richardson, Tuck, Deledio
HF: White, Bowden, Tambling
F: Edwards, Riewoldt, Cotchin
Foll: Simmonds, Johnson, Foley

I/C (from): Tivendale, Morton, Polo, Pattison, Rance, Jackson, Connors

In: Tivendale, Polo, Pattison, Rance
Out: Cartledge

MARK MAUNDER
0437677811

Another win for the Tigers on Saturday against Fremantle,we were a bit
scratchy but still got the 4 points.
Should finish the season with a win against Melbourne.
Sadly looks like we will finish 9th yet again.

But generally with the exception of a couple of games we should
be satisfied with the team’s efforts this year.

A young developing team but next year it is finals or nothing,
we have the list to challenge for top eight next year,so there is no
excuses.

I think we take a lot of positives from this year.
Trent Cotchin will be a gun midfielder,Brett Deledio is class and a matchwinner.
Richard Tambling has been more consisent,Shane Tuck has had a great year.
Mitch Morton has been a good buy,Matt White has had a good season,getting
more confidence.
Nathan Foley has had a good year,can be an elete midfielder,needs to learn how to
break a tag.
Backline will continue to improve,Kelvin Moore much improved and Will Thursfield
and Luke McGuane have been good.
Troy Simmonds and our skipper Kane Johnson have been solid.
Our old stagers Joel Bowden and Matthew Richardson continue to play good
footy,well Richo we love him.
Browny still has a few good years ahead of him.
Daniel Connors looks like he is ready to play AFL week in week out.
We need a bit more from Edwards,Polo,McMahon,Schulz(will he be there).
In trouble-Pettifer,Tivendale,Casserly,Danny Meyer,Oakley-Nicholls.

Who will be the second ruckman,not sure about Patto tries hard.
Tristan Cartledge has been okay,Angus Graham still a work in progress,
Dean Putt 202cm but still only young.

General feeling among those in the know in Melbourne that we need another
ruckman.

Lots of talent coming through Coburg who had a one point win against
Casey on Saturday who were above them on the ladder.
And if Mark Coughlan can get himself right he will be like a new recruit.
Rainesy will be back next year hopefully can give us something.

So we live in hope that our Tigers will return to the top again.

Keep the faith and see you on Sunday for the last game against
Melbourne at 2-10pm,to be shown on Channel 7.

MARK MAUNDER
0437677811

What a difference a week makes.
After being terrible against Adelaide a week ago,Richmond have defeated the High Flying Hawks
by 29 points.
Our best win of the season by far,beating a team inside the top 8 for the first time and showing
lots of guts and determination.
It was a real inspiring victory as Richmond were hard at the footy all day and put Hawthorn
under a lot of pressure.
The sort of game that is needed in big games so it was a real positive to see with this
predominantly young list.
So after feeling flat last week it is great to have a good win against quality opposition and really gives us hope for the future.
This young players are only going to get better as they grow and develop so hopefully good times ahead.
I also believe that Richmond carried out a well constructed game plan and full marks to Terry
Wallace and the coaching staff,hopefully now Terry Wallace can concentrate on coaching the team and not worry about next year and beyond.

RICHMOND has shot back into finals’ contention after recording a stunning upset win over Hawthorn by 29 points at the MCG on Sunday.

A week after seemingly blowing their chances with their worst performance of the season, Terry Wallace’s men redeemed themselves with a superb victory over the Hawks, 16.9 (105) to 10.16 (76).

The win means that Richmond, with matches against Fremantle and Melbourne remaining, is right back in the finals’ hunt.

Hawthorn, meanwhile, has plenty of work to do in the final fortnight of the home and away season before it tries to mount a challenge for an AFL premiership.

But judging on Sunday’s effort, there is still plenty of work to do for Alastair Clarkson, as his side was outrun, out-enthused and simply outpointed by a more desperate opposition.

Making Richmond’s win all the more impressive was the fact it was achieved without vice-captain and clearance king Nathan Foley, a late withdrawal before the first bounce.

But it didn’t bother the underdog Tigers, who surged clear early and were never headed despite Hawthorn occasionally threatening.

Matthew Richardson was inspirational and typified his team’s never-say-die attitude, Joel Bowden (38 possessions) and Shane Tuck (36) won huge amounts of the footy while Mitch Morton was lively up forward.

Hawks skipper Sam Mitchell worked his way into the game while Luke Hodge, Lance Franklin and Xavier Ellis were all prominent for the losers.

It wasn’t all good news for Richmond, however, with big man Troy Simmonds reported in the first quarter for making high contact.

The Tigers went into the final term leading by 27 points after Mitch Morton soccered one off the goal line right on the three-quarter time siren to extend their advantage.

That goal came like a bolt from the blue after Hawthorn had dominated much of the third term and pressed hard to reduce the margin with little result.

The question was would the Tigers’ advantage be enough to see off a Hawthorn side that looked set to charge – and one with the most lethal forward in the game at one end.

Franklin entered the match on 91 goals and two majors in the first term made it seem as though it might be a landmark day for the young Hawk superstar as he pressed for the magical three figures.

However while clearly the most dangerous forward on the ground, his kicking boots again deserted him and he finished the day with 3.6 from 10 shots on goal.

With Franklin looming large, the Hawks came hard in the final term with Campbell Brown booting two goals inside the first four minutes to cut the margin to just 15 points.

However Richmond responded firstly through Brett Deledio with a long bomb and then – after Mark Williams had got it back to within three goals – through Jordan McMahon’s piercing left foot.

But perhaps it was a few of Richardson’s Herculean efforts that took the cake in the Tigers’ win.

The veteran, who took a staggering 21 marks for the match, threw himself willingly at contests and fittingly kicked the sealer with a little more than five minutes remaining.

Richo was at his floating best, helping out down back, roaming across the wing and presenting in attack.

The Tigers set up their lead with an impressive opening half.

While usual suspects Richardson, Bowden and Tuck were prominent, youngsters such as Daniel Connors (three goals) were equally impressive.

Hawthorn’s big guns, meanwhile, struggled to get into the game, with Mitchell and Brad Sewell kept under close check.

The Tigers led by 15 points at the first break and had doubled that by the main break.

There would be no looking back for Wallace’s men, who can now look forward to rounds 21 with hope and optimism that this September they may now be participants, and not the spectators they have for so long been resigned to being.

Next week the Tigers host Fremantle at the MCG while Hawthorn travel to Subiaco to take on West Coast.

RICHMOND 5.2 10.5 13.6 16.9 (105)
HAWTHORN 2.5 4.10 7.15 10.16 (76)

GOALS
Richmond: Connors 3, Morton 3, Cotchin, Tuck, Bowden, Tambling, Edwards, White, Cartledge, Deledio, McMahon, Richardson
Hawthorn: Franklin 3, Brown 2, Lewis, Osborne, Rioli, Bateman, Williams

BEST
Richmond: Richardson, Bowden, Deledio, Newman, Tuck, McMahon, Cotchin
Hawthorn: Sewell, Franklin, Lewis, Hodge, Bateman, Mitchell, Ladson

INJURIES
Richmond: Foley out, replaced in selected side by Polo
Hawthorn: Nil

Reports: Simmonds (Richmond) reported for front on bump on Murphy (Hawthorn) in the first quarter by umpire Nicholls

Umpires: James, Nicholls, Mollison

Official crowd: 44,523 at the MCG

Well we will be looking for a much improved performance from Richmond
this week against Hawthorn.
The game is on Sunday 1-10PM at MCG and will be shown on Fox Live
at our home base the Camelia Gove Hotel,hope you can make it along to
watch the game.
Our good mate Marc Lawrence will be in town so a good reason to get along
and say g’day.
A very tough challenge against a hard running team who have no weaknesses
and obviously a very strong forward line.
Hopefully our talented young backline can nullify Buddy and his mates.
But we will need all 22 playing at their best to have any chance of defeating the
Hawks,starting out of the centre,where we will need to improve a great deal
on last week’s effort.
A few changes-Browny and Pattison out.
Good to see Tristan Cartledge get a chance,he has been the form ruckman of the
VFL,also Angus Graham has been selected.
It will be interesting to see how either of these guys performs,I think only one will
be selected.
I like Patto,he always gives 100 per cent but I really think going forward either Angus
Graham or Tristan Cartledge will become the second ruckman.
Also good to see Danny Meyer back,he has had a lot of injuries but has been playing well
in the VFL.
By all accounts all Richmond listed players performed well in the game for
Coburg against Norther Bullants last weekend.
Here is Jade Rawlings assessment.

Coburg Tigers coach, Jade Rawlings, provides his exclusive form assessment of the Richmond-listed players who appeared at senior VFL level with Coburg last Saturday against Northern Bullants.

Alex Rance

Was very good right throughout the match. Played on talented, young, Carlton-listed players in Adam Hartlett and Jake Edwards and accounted for them both. Attacks every contest with ferocity, but just needs to slow himself down when the ball is in his hands.

Danny Meyer

Was opposed to the experienced David Teague in the first half, and took the points in a good tussle. Unfortunately, he rolled his ankle late in the first half. Courageous effort to play through the second half, despite being clearly restricted.

Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls

Was a revelation playing up forward, leading impressively and marking strongly (10 marks). Has hit some really good form in the past three weeks.

Chris Hyde

Best on ground. Was asked to play a defensive forward role on a key opponent in Matthew Lappin. Totally restricted his influence, while gathering 27 possessions himself and having six shots at goal (finished with 3.3).

Daniel Connors

Was serviceable in his role up forward early, before being shifted to half-back in the second term. Helped change the course of the game from that point on. Had 27 disposals, took 11 marks, and kicked a vital goal in the last quarter when returned to the forward line.

Andrew Collins

Played on the ball and also half-forward. An overall solid performance, gathering 17 possessions and helping set up of a couple of goals.

Cam Howat

A fantastic four-quarter contributor. Ran as hard as anyone on the ground (27 possessions) and played a fine team game, always looking to bring others into the game.

Angus Graham

His improvement over the past month has been profound. Is rucking well and also having an impact when going forward. Took nine marks for the match and kicked a couple of goals. In his best form of the season . . .

Tristan Cartledge

Rucked particularly well and also took a couple of strong, contested marks. Was pivotal in the last quarter when the game was on the line.

Clayton Collard

Came back into the side and was a genuine acquisition for us up forward. Had 16 disposals and kicked three goals. Is very talented, but needs to work harder on the defensive side of his game.

Dean Polo

Sensational performance from him . . . Lined up on the wing on Ryan Houlihan, and cut him right out of the game. Was then asked to play in the backline, where he was able to intercept a lot of Bullant forward entries. Had 25 possessions and took nine marks.

Mark Coughlan

Was really good in the clinches and extremely courageous in marking situations. His kicking just let him down a bit at times. Has fitted in well with his Coburg teammates.

Greg Tivendale

Another standout performance from ‘Tiv’. Was tagged in the second half, but that did not restrict him at all. Hurt his ankle in a courageous marking attempt, but came back on and was unaffected, finishing the match with 33 possessions.

Jarrod Silvester

Damaged his hand early on and was sidelined for the rest of the match.

Match details

Coburg 3.2 6.8 7.13 11.20 (86)

N. Bullants 2.4 6.6 10.9 11.9 (75)

Goals – Coburg: Hyde 3, Collard 3, Graham 2, Tivendale, N. Caruso, Connors.

Best – Coburg: Hyde, Howat, Polo, Oakley-Nicholls, Horne, Connors.

Richmond v Hawthorn
MCG @ 1.10pm

RICHMOND
B: Richard Tambling, Will Thursfield, Chris Newman
HB: Jordan McMahon, Luke McGuane, Kelvin Moore
C: Matthew Richardson, Shane Tuck, Brett Deledio
HF: Trent Cotchin, Jay Schulz, Joel Bowden
F: Matthew White, Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Kane Johnson, Nathan Foley
Int (from): Dean Polo, Daniel Connors, Tristan Cartledge, Danny Meyer, Angus Graham, Mitch Morton, Daniel Jackson

In: Schulz, Cartledge, Connors, Polo, Meyer, Graham
Out: Adam Pattison (back), Nathan Brown (hip), Jake King

New: Tristan Cartledge (rookie list)

HAWTHORN
B: Campbell Brown, Stephen Gilham, Brent Guerra
HB: Rick Ladson, Trent Croad, Grant Birchall
C: Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Xavier Ellis
HF: Shane Crawford, Lance Franklin, Chance Bateman
F: Mark Williams, Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli
Foll: Robert Campbell, Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell
Int (from): Stuart Dew, Tom Murphy, Simon Taylor, Michael Osborne, Cam Stokes, Travis Tuck, Clinton Young

In: Osborne, Tuck, Young
Out: -

MARK MAUNDER
0437677811

This is the quote from Terry Wallace and who could disagree.For the second time in two weeks Richmond have been defeated by 63 points.Last week against Geelong they were competitive. Yesterday against Adelaide Richmond were lamentable,the performance lacked effort,competitiveness,desire and a complete lack of skill.(I am usually sympathetic but enough is enough)One would have expected better in a game that we would keep us in touch with the top eight.It shows we are still a long way off,not many good performers,Shane Tuck tried hard,Will Thursfieldwas very good(Actually the backline performed okay).Midfield totally smashed and forward line did not fire a shot. Yes Adelaide are a seasoned hard bodied side,but that is no excuse,as we didn’t chase hard enough or infact man up enough.Thanks to those hardy soles who attended the Camelia Grove and sat through the game.Feel sorry for my mate Marc Lawrence who was at the game. It doesn’t get any easier,Hawthorn this Sunday at 1-10PM at the MCG.We will expect a much better effort. Despite my obvious disappointment,never give up on the Tigers.See you at Camelia Grove Hotel on Sunday. RICHMOND coach Terry Wallace last night described the first-half capitulation against Adelaide as “ridiculously disappointing”.The Tigers trailed 10 goals to one at halftime at AAMI Stadium, butchering a mini-final and tarnishing Joel Bowden’s 250th-game milestone. Only wasteful kicking by the Crows in the final term saved the winning margin from blowing out beyond 63 points. “I think we’ve played some good footy in the latter part of the season . . . this was a shocker,” Wallace said. Given the stakes were so high, Wallace said he and the players felt for supporters who were so desperate to see finals action again. “The players are so disappointed . . . they know the supporters are back home and you’ve got some that have travelled across hoping for their season to be alive,” Wallace said.\ Richmond must now win its final three games against Hawthorn, Melbourne and Fremantle at the MCG to have any hope of playing finals. “We now have to worry about others. Until today, we thought it was in our hands,” Wallace said. “I think even by winning your last three, you probably need other results going your way.” Bowden said the Tigers made too many “fundamental errors” and would more than likely pay a heavy price. “It’s just a shame to not be competitive,” he said. “It doesn’t look like we’ll play finals now. We just need to finish the year off well. “The carrot was there, no doubt, and I was excited, hoping we could set ourself up.” Matthew Richardson addressed the players on Bowden the night before the game. Bowden’s father, Michael, travelled from Darwin for the match, joining former teammates including Brendon Gale and Paul Bulluss at the ground to lend support. The Tigers are set to pay tribute to Bowden at the MCG against Hawthorn on Sunday. Bowden said he still had one or two years left in his body and was looking forward to the team maturing into a unit, and thriving in testing situations such as yesterday. “I reckon I’ve got a lot of footy left in me,” Bowden said. “I love the Richmond footy club.” Wallace said his young team did not stick to the basics in the wet weather and didn’t pay enough attention to Adelaide’s 300-game hero Andrew McLeod. “I thought they were extremely generous (to McLeod),” Wallace said. Wallace said that one player left McLeod standing 20m on his own. “I asked the question why you would actually allow an Andrew McLeod to stand on a half-back flank by himself at that particular point in time,” Wallace said. “That’s what happens when you start worrying about what the scoreboard says. “We didn’t get results early in the match . . . people start worrying about getting a kick and other things. “Sometimes that switches the brain off, which is not great in any standard of footy.” He said his players did not adjust to the heavy conditions and the Tigers lost much of their run and carry. “Running on top of the ground at Telstra Dome we look a different side to what we looked (yesterday),” he said.ADELAIDE 3.2 10.4 15.6 16.12 (108)RICHMOND 1.3 1.4 4.6 6.9 (45) BESTAdelaide: van Berlo, McLeod, Edwards, Doughty, Bock, Massie.Richmond: Tuck, Johnson, Simmonds, Tambling, Bowden, McMahon. GOALSAdelaide: Stevens 2, Gill 2, Goodwin 2, Thompson 2, Edwards, McLeod, Massie, Mackay, Douglas, van Berlo, Vince, B. Moran.Richmond: Bowden, Deledio, Pattison, Simmonds, Riewoldt, McMahon. INJURIESAdelaide: Vince (hamstring).Richmond: Schulz (replaced in selected side by Morton). REPORTSNil. UMPIRESFarmer, James, Head. CROWD37,562, at AAMI Stadium

Richmond tried hard against Geelong on Saturday night,but were simply
beaten by a very good team.
The end scoreline was disappointing as they had showed some fight in the last quarter
until Geelong kicked away.
It showed there is still a long way to go for this group,turnovers are still
are problem with Geelong kicking 13 goals to 6 from turnovers.
So the learning curve continues.
Off to Adelaide next Sunday to play the Crows,match is at 3-10.
Again a very healthy turnout of loyal supporters and I thank those
for your attendance.
The game against the Crows will be shown on Channel 7 from 3-00
on Sunday August 10.
Many of you will be tempted to watch the game in the comfort of
your lounge room but I hope to see as many of you as possible
at the Camelia Grove Hotel.

AFTER winning five of its past six matches, Richmond has been given a reality check by reigning premiers Geelong, falling to a 63-point defeat at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

The Tigers 10.11 (71) went down to the Cats 20.14 (134) to put a dent in their finals hopes, although they remain just two points outside of the top eight.

Richmond now has matches against Adelaide (AAMI Stadium), Hawthorn (MCG), Fremantle (MCG) and Melbourne (MCG) respectively, with a maximum of 12 wins its best possible result.

Although Richmond entered the round as one of the league’s in-form teams, the top-of-the-table Geelong showed it was still the league’s benchmark.

Early on, Richmond looked right in the contest, having led throughout the first term until Geelong claimed the quarter time lead on the siren. From that point, the Cats never surrendered their advantage.

And after Geelong booted 13 goals to four in the second and third terms the Tigers were never in the hunt.

Richmond entered the match without in-form forward Nathan Brown, who was replaced by Jake King, and knocks and niggles to Matthew Richardson, Shane Edwards, Adam Pattison and Chris Newman didn’t help the Tigers’ cause.

Shane Tuck worked tirelessly, winning a team-high 31 disposals, with Tiger vice-captain Newman another who battled hard all night before he copped a knock late in the game.

Shane Edwards was a fine contributor early on, with 16 disposals in the first half, yet his game was limited from that point after he was on the receiving end of a heavy tackle from Darren Milburn, who crunched the youngster into the turf.

For Geelong, Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood and Joel Corey combined for 95 disposals, as Ryan Gamble and Tom Lonergan, with three goals each, headed up the Cats’ goalkickers. Skipper Tom Harley was outstanding down back.

Richmond started in fine style, booting the opening two goals of the match through Mitch Morton and Jack Riewoldt.

It took Geelong 21 minutes to register its first, courtesy of James Kelly, but when Lonergan kicked the Cats’ third on the quarter-time siren, the reigning premiers hit the front for the first time, gaining a four-point buffer.

Geelong broke away to a 24-point lead early in the second term, after kicking the first three of the quarter.

Adding to Richmond’s frustrations during this period was an injury scare to Richardson, who hobbled from the field favouring his right knee. Despite looking in trouble, the big man was back out in the thick of the action before half time.

Just as the Cats looked set to skip away, the Tigers hit back with two in two minutes through Matt White and Joel Bowden, closing the gap to 11 points.

But when Geelong answered with three in succession, including two in time-on from Bartel, who kicked his second after the half time siren, the Cats were out to a 26-point break.

White became Richmond’s first multiple goalkicker when he landed the first goal of the second half, cutting the margin to 20 points. But aside from a classical mark by Richardson over Geelong defender Darren Milburn just before time-on, there was little to cheer about for the yellow and black as Geelong dominated the third term.

A seven goals to two quarter blew the deficit out to 58 points at three-quarter time.

The Tigers showed some grit early in the final quarter and even threatened to outscore the Cats, but it didn’t eventuate. However another outstanding Richardson mark over Harry Taylor was a highlight.

The loss continued Richmond’s poor recent record over Geelong, with the Cats having lost just once from 12 contests since round nine of 2001.

Geelong 2.6 8.8 15.13 20.14 (134)
Richmond 2.2 4.6 6.9 10.11 (71)

GOALS
Geelong: Lonergan 3, Gamble 3, Bartel 2, Mackie 2, Mooney 2, Stokes 2, Johnson, Milburn, Selwood, Rooke, Ling, Kelly. Richmond: Richardson 3, White 2, Bowden 2, Morton, Schulz, Riewoldt.

BEST
Geelong: Bartel, Corey, Selwood, Milburn, Ling, Stokes, Harley. Richmond: Tuck, Deledio, Newman, Tambling, Bowden, Richardson

INJURIES
Geelong: None. Richmond: Edwards (head knock)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, Wenn

Official crowd: 42,238 at Telstra Dome

MARK MAUNDER
0437677811