RICHMOND 25.13 (163) def GWS GIANTS 6.6 (42)
A RICHMOND-supporting colleague in my office said to me on Monday that he gained no joy from watching the Tigers beat up on an inferior opponent.
When a Geelong supporter reminded him of the 157-point beating that the Cats handed to Richmond six years ago, he changed his tune.
At quarter time of the mismatch between Greater Western Sydney and Richmond on Sunday, the Tigers led by 10 points.
Half an hour later they were a massive 80 points ahead, having booted 11.5 to 0.1 in the second quarter.
Another two goals and it would have been Richmond’s highest-scoring quarter ever. As it was it set up a thumping 121-point win. And it has been a long time since the Tigers have been able to do that to teams.
North Melbourne reject Aaron Edwards has slotted in very well at Punt Road, and he booted five goals for the afternoon, ably supported by Reece Conca and Brandon Ellis, who had three each. Jack Riewoldt kicked only one. Dustin Martin had 33 touches.
Alex Rance was one of the Tigers’ best. He held Jeremy Cameron to two ineffective kicks. Cameron is now four goals behind competition leader Jarryd Roughead with one round to play.
Greater Western Sydney takes on Gold Coast this weekend, while Richmond will look for another win against Essendon to wrap up fifth spot.
It will be the final coaching game for the Giants’ Kevin Sheedy who has a good outlook at what he has been able to achieve at Greater Western Sydney.
“We started a club. That’s important and doesn’t often happen in a person’s lifetime, particularly in NSW.
“It’s the first club that was started in NSW. It’s not ex-Victorian. It’s a very important point that.
“It’s one of the best things I’ve done in my life, there’s no doubt about that.
“To have our best crowd today, we’re not a good footy team yet, we’ve got so much to learn … in the next three-to-five years you won’t get in the stadium.
“It’ll be sold out.”
Here are the highlights from the game:
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.0 3.1 6.4 6.6 (42)
RICHMOND 4.4 15.9 19.10 25.13 (163)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Jaksch, Greene, Sumner, Shiel, Scully, Adams
Richmond: A.Edwards 5, Conca 3, Ellis 3, Vickery 2, Houli 2, Grigg 2, Maric 2, Petterd 2, Morris, Riewoldt, S.Edwards, King
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Adams, Scully, Shiel, Tomlinson
Richmond: Martin, Conca, Grigg, Houli, Maric, Edwards, Rance, Chaplin, Vickery
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Liam Sumner (Achilles)
Richmond: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Greater Western Sydney: Liam Sumner (Achilles) substituted off for Dom Tyson at half-time
Richmond: Trent Cotchin substituted out for Nathan Foley during the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Burgess, Wenn, Ryan
Official crowd: 12,314 at Skoda Stadium