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RICHMOND 16.7 (103) def WEST COAST 8.14 (62)
FOR long-suffering Richmond fans maybe 2013 is indeed a new era after the Tigers cruised to a comfortable 41-point victory as they manhandled the home team West Coast Eagles on Monday night.
In front of a partisan Pattersons Stadium crowd of almost 38,000 footy fans, Richmond took control of the game in the second quarter as they added six goals to the Eagles’ zero.
“I don’t think there’s a better feeling as a footy club to come away and win at a ground that is very, very hard to play at,” said Richmond coach Damien Hardwick who now has his squad at six wins on the year and at 7th on the ladder.
“It’s probably the one time you do enjoy a three-and-a-half, four-hour plane trip on the way home.”
Richmond’s dominance of the game resumed after the main break with the Tigers adding the first three goals of the third quarter making it nine straight unanswered goals that effectively put the game out of reach for the Eagles.
The Tigers got big contributions on the night from Brett Deledio (25 possessions and six tackles), Dustin Martin (25 possessions) and Bachar Houli (also with 25 possessions) as well as a three goal haul from first player Nick Vlastuin.
Vlastuin, the 9th pick of the 2012 National Draft, has come on strong since making his debut in Round 5 and has Tigers fans excited with his potential.
“He’s a very good player,” said Hardwick about his newest weapon.
“He only had 16 touches, but everything he does, he does to a very high level. It’s hard to believe he’s only played six AFL games.
“He’s got some areas of his game we’d like him to improve, but we think he’s going to be a very good player for us going forward.”
For the Eagles however there were very few positives to come out of the game which, on paper at least, was stacked in their favour.
Statistically they dominated in the ruck and they were able to match Richmond with their inside 50 possessions. But for all that the results were not there on the scoreboard.
“They used the ball really well and kicked well,” said West Coast coach John Worsfold.
“Obviously we weren’t sharp enough to shut down their open players and that’s what was pretty disappointing for us.”
While Richmond will have a bye next week, West Coast will have its shot at redemption next Sunday afternoon at Etihad Stadium when they take on St Kilda.
WEST COAST 3.3 3.6 5.9 8.14 (62)
RICHMOND 2.3 8.4 14.5 16.7 (103)
GOALS
West Coast: Kennedy 3, Hill 2, Darling, Kerr, S Selwood
Richmond: Vlastuin 3, S Edwards 2, Newman 2, Vickery 2, Riewoldt 2, Jackson, King, Martin, White, A Edwards
BEST
West Coast: S Selwood, Naitanui, Kennedy, Shuey, Masten, Priddis
Richmond: Deledio, Jackson, Cotchin, White, Foley, Vlastuin, Martin
INJURIES
West Coast: Brown (eye)
Richmond: S Edwards (eye)
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Andrew Embley replaced Mitch Brown during the third quarter
Richmond: Sam Lonergan replaced Shane Edwards during the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Bannister, Margetts, Stevic