Richmond Tigers 12.12 (84) defeat Geelong Cats 9.9 (63)
16 wins in a row now for the Tigers at the ‘G, and today they faced some serious opposition. Selwood, Ablett and Dangerfield all did their best to haul their side over the line but it wasn’t to be in the end. Hawkins has a kick on the siren but can only manage a consolation point.
Richmond were seriously impressive as a team – Rioli’s return was wonderful, Vlaustin had almost a career-best game, Rance was critical in defence, and Lambert, Edwards and Conca all played key roles. Martin had a slow start but came to life when it mattered in the third. Their pace, fitness and endeavour on the ball was the difference in the end, and Richmond have sent a message to their rivals today – they’re one of the ones to beat and now have a bye to recover and rest for the back half of the season.
Dustin Martin says he’ll probably head back to NZ to see his Dad. Also says he was feeling a lot better this week after the break. That’s a scary proposition.
Thanks for joining me for another week – hopefully I’ll see you back again next weekend.
Q4 02:13 Geelong 9.9 (63) v Richmond 12.11 (83)
21 tackles to eight for the Tigers in this quarter. That tells the story of their superior attack on the ball, as well as pace and energy. Danger looks to create a late goal with a beautiful smother on Broad, but the ball comes off Hawkins’ foot and is out of bounds on the full. Geelong looking frustrated. Great game but they won’t win this one.
Q4 04:35 Geelong 9.8 (62) v Richmond 12.11 (83)
Oof, harsh call on Duncan who is caught holding the ball against Rioli. Tigers just have too much pace at this late stage of the game. That’s been the difference – and possibly fitness – in this last quarter. Can’t fault the Cats’ endeavour. Rioli sneaks the goal home and that’ll be the sealer.
Q4 06:00 Geelong 9.8 (62) v Richmond 11.11 (77)
Geelong go to Menegola when they had Dangerfield in a one-on-one with Rance deep. Not sure about that. Missed opportunity for the Cats.
Down the other end the Tigers kick a brilliant goal after Shane Edwards bursts out of the stoppage and bombs it long for Casatgna to run onto. He and Tuohy go at full pace but Castagna wins the ball despite the contact, and soccers the goal. Is that the game?
Q4 07:30 Geelong 9.8 (62) v Richmond 10.11 (71)
Dangerfield is at full-forward, potentially because Alex Rance is having too much impact without a tall to line up on. Selwood wins a characteristic high free 45m out and kicks yet another captain’s goal. Might be Geelong’s last hope. Always looked confident and never looked to give that off.
Q4 08:25 Geelong 8.8 (56) v Richmond 10.11 (71)
Geelong look fatigued. Umpire looks to pay a harsh holding the ball against the Cats and Graham steps up to seal it but misses to the right. Not sure Geelong have three goals in it. Tuohy goes with the bomb down the middle and it almost comes off, but Ablett’s long shot at goal is marked by Rance on the goal-line.
Q4 12:00 Geelong 8.8 (56) v Richmond 10.9 (69)
A huge 12 tackles from Jack Graham today and seven for Rioli. Great depth for the Tigers. They look so much fitter in this last quarter, perhaps with the exception of Gary Ablett (and maybe Dangerfield) who are doing their best to haul their team over the line.
Speaking of Gazza, he takes a long range shot on goal but it’s off the inside of the boot and out of bounds on the full.
Q4 14:48 Geelong 8.8 (56) v Richmond 10.9 (69)
Disaster for the Cats - Kolodjashnij with the terrible turnover. It ends up with Dusty, who finds Jack Riewoldt, who drops the mark. Butler picks up the crumb and then goes with a reverse banana to Riewoldt just a few metres to his right. They get away with it and Riewoldt in turn snaps the goal. Cats look like they’ve got the running.
McCarthy with his hamstring iced on the bench.
It gets worse for the Cats as two defenders spoil each other and Martin snaps a big, crowd-lifting goal. Danger signs.
Updated
Q4 15:46 Geelong 8.8 (56) v Richmond 8.9 (57)
Just the solitary point so far this quarter to Rioli, who couldn’t convert the set shot. Cats still struggling with their forward entries, this time Duncan takes it on himself but a long, bouncing kick finishes just right of the post. McCarthy looks done for the day in some bad news for Cats fans.
Updated
Three-quarter-time Geelong 8.7 (55) v Richmond 8.8 (56)
The game has gone up another notch – and in a critical contest, Martin gives away a free kick to Dangerfield for two hands into the back. The Tigers were out, too. The ball ricochets back down the ground to Hawkins, who is finally off the bench. He nails the goal for a one-point margin. We’re all set up for a huge last quarter!
Q3 05:29 Geelong 7.7 (49) v Richmond 8.8 (56)
Geelong look to have gone small in the forward line now, Hawkins just hasn’t come off the bench. It pays off this time with a free kick to Fogarty against the Richmond debutant, but it’s a bad kick to the right. Still, Cats are suddenly looking better despite Martin up to 29 disposals.
Q3 06:35 Geelong 7.6 (48) v Richmond 8.8 (56)
Cats really struggling in their forward 50 - they keep bombing it long but with no Hawkins they’ve not got a target to take a contested grab. This time however it’s a chaos ball that generates the goal – Parsons gets on the end of a mother and snaps one from the goal square. Good get against the flow for Geelong.
Martin is a worry for the Cats - he’s upped his workrate significantly and has eight disposals for the quarter.
Q3 08:28 Geelong 6.6 (42) v Richmond 8.8 (56)
Great team goal from the Tigers - a really clever tap by Josh Caddy over the top finds Martin, who gets the one, two, and then passes it lace out to Castagna. He should really have taken the mark, but was able to tap it to his advantage and then pass on to Butler who kicks it from the goal square. How much would Geelong like Caddy back?
Updated
Q3 13:03 Geelong 6.6 (42) v Richmond 7.7 (49)
Nick Vlaustin is having a seriously impressive game - 15 disposals, 10 marks, two tackles and four rebound 50s. Great stuff to repel plenty of Geelong’s attacking forays. He’s just whacked Selwood high, however. Looked a mistake, and he acknowledged Selwood after, but he gives away 50 anyway. Selwood has a shot from 55 out and kicks a much-needed captain’s goal (his 150th no less).
Can that spark the Cats? Meanwhile, Rudi claims Gary Jnr is the best to ever play the game. Thoughts?
Gary Ablett Jr is the best to ever play the game. Do not @ me. #AFLCatsTigers
— Rudi (@RudiEdsall) June 17, 2018
Q3 16:20 Geelong 5.5 (35) v Richmond 7.7 (49)
Two in two minutes for the Tigers - it’s another snap goal, this one to Shaun Grigg, and Selwood on the mark looked out of gas. Dangerfield has pushed into the middle and looked to have set up a reply for the Cats, but Hawkins couldn’t take the contested grab. He’s only had the one possession since quarter time. We’ve had pretty much a five goal turnaround since quarter time.
Q3 18:11 Geelong 5.5 (35) v Richmond 6.7 (43)
Butler with the crumb and it’s an over-the-shoulder goal. Nankervis got the inside 50, and the Tigers’ small forwards did their job. It has been a while since Geelong dominated the first term - it’s five goals to one since then for Richmond.
Updated
Half-time Geelong 5.5 (35) v Richmond 5.7 (37)
Gaz has a set shot on goal and likes it but it hits the post – just the one point in it now which is probably an accurate reflection on the contest, despite the Tigers dominating the term. This time Rioli has a snap out of the pack, but he too misses. Heat has turned up and we’re set for a good contest.
It looked like Richmond were out of time for a score, but Cotchin has found Jack Higgins 45m out, little or no angle, with the chance to capitalise on some momentum. It’s a horrible kick, right off the side of the boot and nowhere near the goals.
Updated
Q2 03:00 Geelong 5.4 (34) v Richmond 5.6 (36)
Against the grain, the Cats peg back one. This time it’s a 50m penalty against Richmond for Alex Rance abusing the umpire (I think?) - it’s either that or a protected zone infringement. He wanted a block against Dangerfield who seemed to take him out of the marking contest against Parfitt.
Tiger Army are raging – but Richmond get the immediate response after Dustin Martin sharks a Duncan handball and Lambert crumbs a goal after Riewoldt drops one on Stewart. Game firing up.
Q2 05:16 Geelong 4.4 (28) v Richmond 4.6 (30)
Alex Rance misses a rare contested mark - on the replay it looks as if he had his arms chopped but it was missed by the umpire. It results in a difficult set shot for James Parsons - 50m out on a tight angle - but he can only manage the behind.
Tigers leading the tackle count by eight this quarter - Cotchin and Graham have three each. Their endeavour does look better right now. Not helped by Dangerfield stuck on the bench.
Q2 07:51 Geelong 4.3 (27) v Richmond 4.6 (30)
Castagna has taken something of a miracle pack mark – the ball flew over about six Richmond and Geelong players who all misjudged the ball’s trajectory, and he took a chest mark on the ground. He’s just 15m out and kicks straight. Richmond have one extra back and at the moment it’s working well in their favour.
Q2 09:13 Geelong 4.3 (27) v Richmond 3.6 (24)
Dustin Martin has hardly seen the ball all day, but this time finds a rare inside 50 that almost sits up for Jack Higgins to snap at goal. The bounce is cruel, however, and Riewoldt snaps an out of bounds on the full. Martin has just the six disposals, but has had a few in the last few minutes.
Updated
Q2 11:30 Geelong 4.3 (27) v Richmond 3.5 (23)
Cats look certain to score as Tim Kelly finds Lincoln McCarthy in the goalsquare with a clever handball, but McCarthy is thrown to the ground in a group Tiger tackle, and can only manage a point. Blicavs is playing as a key forward at the moment and the Cats seem to be much less dangerous going forward this quarter. Tom Hawkins still stuck on the bench, as he has been for a while now.
Q2 15:47 Geelong 4.2 (26) v Richmond 3.5 (23)
Stewart not having the best game – it was his rushed kick out of the 50 that fell into the hands of Ellis, and now he’s given away a 50m penalty to Josh Caddy, who will line up just 35m out. He’s kicked it – and the Tigers are now looking good. At least Stewart is back on the field - he looked in trouble with an ankle injury but it’s strapped up now.
Q2 17:27 Geelong 4.2 (26) v Richmond 2.5 (17)
We’re back on, and the first real chance at a score goes to Brandon Ellis. He’s wearing a black armband today for Eurydice Dixon, who grew up in the same housing commission as him. Great gesture.
His long bomb falls off hands at the pack, and Toby Nankervis shows some agility to snap a goal.
Quarter-time Geelong 4.2 (26) v Richmond 1.5 (11)
Alright, starting to think I was onto something by picking Geelong. They’re hot at the moment. This time it’s Tom Hawkins who gets on the end of a bouncing ball over the heads of the Richmond defenders, and Hawkins soccers a goal against the debutant. Hardwick hasn’t made the move to change his opponent yet, however.
Q1 02:27 Geelong 3.1 (19) v Richmond 1.5 (11)
Ablett is finding plenty of space – and kicks a huuuge goal from about 55m out on the run. Didn’t even look like he’d hit it that hard. Wow. His hot form continues. Think his direct opponent is Dustin Martin, who was nowhere near Ablett. Martin has only had two disposals..
Updated
Q1 03:02 Geelong 2.1 (13) v Richmond 1.5 (11)
Bad injury scare for the Cats - Tom Stewart is going downstairs into the rooms, looks like some kind of leg injury. Hawkins, however, has a set shot on goal – and he’s notoriously accurate. This one’s no different, and the Cats continue to lead due to superior efficiency up forward.
Q1 06:10 Geelong 1.1 (7) v Richmond 1.5 (11)
Wonderful tackle by Dangerfield in the middle – he’s pushed back up into the middle, and stops a threatening run by the Tigers. The Cats play on and find Parfitt on the lead. He then gives off to Menegola who misses on the run. Not sure why he passed it on – he was only probably 35m out.
Q1 07:42 Geelong 1.0 (6) v Richmond 1.5 (11)
Castagna has the chance to put the Tigers back into the lead but he too misses to the left. Not sure if you can blame the wet ball. Still, they’re winning plenty of it and will surely start to convert soon. Speaking of - Jack Riewoldt takes a flying mark, almost uncontested, and should finally convert. He does - from about 25m out.
Updated
Q1 09:50 Geelong 1.0 (6) v Richmond 0.4 (4)
First real foray forward for Geelong and Dangerfield drops the mark on the lead. He’s good enough to get up and evade a few defenders, however, and finds Rhys Stanley on the lead. Should kick this. He does - and Geelong make Richmond pay for their inaccuracy.
Q1 10:58 Geelong 0.0 (0) v Richmond 0.4 (4)
Richmond really wasting their opportunities early – this time it’s Dan Butler who misses the set shot. Rioli looks as if he hasn’t missed a game – he’s covering the length of the ground and racking up possessions (four so far).
Here’s that vision of one of today’s key casualties: the Richmond banner!
The weather has ruined @Richmond_FC 's banner 😱#AFLCatsTigers pic.twitter.com/GGFcOsit3F
— AFL (@AFL) June 17, 2018
Updated
Q1 14:00 Geelong 0.0 (0) v Richmond 0.3 (3)
Ablett with a horrible turnover to Shane Edwards just on the 50m line. It’s not a great kick - through for a behind.
The sun is creeping through now at the MCG – hopefully things dry up a little. Edwards finds the ball again – this time 40m out in play, takes a snap but misses to the left again.
Q1 16:40 Geelong 0.0 (0) v Richmond 0.1 (1)
Fogarty with a nice kick inside 50 and Garthwaite has his first contest against Hawkins - which he wins! He plays in front, and Hawkins gives away the free.
Rioli straight into the action, out-running everyone and fisting the ball over to Riewoldt who soccers through just a minor score. Castagna looks to be injured after taking a lovely flying mark and landing awkwardly.
Updated
Q1 18:24 Geelong 0.0 (0) v Richmond 0.0 (0)
Dangerfield has indeed started forward, and the first kick of the game goes to Gary Ablett for a free kick in the middle. The debutant Ryan Garthwaite has gone to Tom Hawkins - no pressure. Looks like Rance is the man to match up on Danger.
Pretty scrappy game so far as you’d expect.
The weather is seriously wild here today
I was going to embed some vision of what happened to the Richmond banner but it has disappeared (it was completely obliterated, the players basically walked over its remains and picked some of it up).
Here’s an indication:
Have you pulled the pin on #AFLCatsTigers because of the weather? pic.twitter.com/qhj1wtngI6
— K rock Football (@KrockFootball) June 17, 2018
Richmond have a debutant today in Ryan Garthwaite (replacing David Astbury), and by the looks of it, he’s a popular teammate.
Get around him! #AFLCatsTigers #gotiges pic.twitter.com/3fPMmkpm8S
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) June 17, 2018
Another name returns for Richmond
This man hasn’t been in the side since the grand final, and should bring plenty of spark.
Welcome back, Daniel 😁👏#AFLCatsTigers #gotiges pic.twitter.com/EzMpmUMtq4
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) June 17, 2018
Plenty of discussion around where Danger will line up today. I’d guess mostly up forward as seems to be the default lately.
Welcome
Hello and thanks for joining me for this big clash between the Cats and Tigers. You’d think Geelong start favourites if this was at “home” but this is a home game at the MCG – which surely tips the balance in favour of Richmond when you consider Dustin Martin has returned too. That said, I’ve somehow tipped Geelong (is it too late to change?)
The Cats have made a late change considering the torrential rain currently falling in Melbourne – they’ve withdrawn Wylie Buzza in favour of smaller forward James Parsons (wise, I think!)
(That’s 12 late changes for Geelong this season, btw!)
Updated
Kate will be here shortly.
In the meantime, have a read of Sean Gorman’s piece on why Optus Stadium is the right location for a Nicky Winmar statue.
