Tigers beat Crows at their own game

Richmond 10. 9 (69) def. Adelaide   9.12 (66)

Richmond defeated Adelaide in a nailbiter in football’s version of ‘keepings off’ today at the Telstra Dome by three points.

After coming off a 118 point loss to Sydney last week, the Tigers followed coach, Terry Wallace’s game plan perfectly by keeping possession of the ball all day, and this resulted in defeating the premiership favourites despite Adelaide threatening to overrun Richmond.

The tight loss meant that the Crows will drop from top position should either Collingwood or West Coast win their games this round.

To make matters even worse for Adelaide, was veteran defender Ben Hart leaving the field in the first quarter with a fractured arm. Hart, 31, is expected to miss a month.

The Tigers half back line was instrumental in the victory, Joel Bowden, in his 200th match brought his own football to the match, as he collected 34 possessions and an astonishing 20 marks. His brother Patrick was also very good as he managed 15 marks of his own while Andrew Kellaway, Andrew Raines and Chris Newman all won their positions.

Troy Simmonds also played his best game for his third club, with 24 possessions, 13 marks and two goals.

Adelaide on the other hand had few winners for the day, Tyson Edwards was his ever consistent self, collecting 30 possessions. Andrew McLeod and Simon Goodwin both worked hard in the midfield.

Despite going into the match as $5.75 rank outsiders, Richmond started the game with renewed enthusiasm after last week’s debacle.

The Tigers booted the first three goals, thanks to Richard Tambling, Shane Tuck and Simmonds, and it was only two late goals to Martin Mattner and Edwards that saw the Crows within two points at quarter time.

The second half started well for the South Australians, hitting the lead four minutes in thanks to a Graham Johncock goal, however the home team kicked the three other goals of the quarter to take a lead of 15 points into the main break.

It seemed as if Adelaide had no way through Richmond’s half back line, and this remained intact in the third quarter, where Richmond shut the quarter down after Simmonds, and Trent Hentschel respectively kicked goals in the first few minutes of the quarter.

Recalled ruckman Trent Knobel had a chance on the three quarter time siren to extend the lead to 22 points but hit the post.

When Mark Coughlan goaled at the six minute mark, it seemed the Tigers were home as they had a 23-point lead, however the Crows did not give up. McLeod and Hentschel goaled back to back to take the lead back to nine points before rookie Tiger Adam Pattison restored the lead to 15 points.

Brett Burton and Andrew Krakouer both kicked goals and as the quarter went into time on, the margin was still 15 points, however Mark Ricciuto managed to break free and kick his first of the day at the 23 minute mark and Burton booted his second of the quarter at the 27 minute mark after Brett Deledio missed a simple chance at the other end.

With the margin three points to Richmond’s favour, and Ken McGregor streaming forward with the ball, the siren sounded, giving Richmond, and Joel Bowden a reason to smile after a demoralizing week for the club.

Richmond, now 4-4, face a tough test next week as they head down the highway to meet Geelong at Skilled Stadium while Adelaide will be looking to take some frustration out on lowly Carlton at AAMI Stadium.

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