Manuka Oval, Canberra Australia
It’s interesting observing certain things during a game. On Saturday at Manuka Oval, I spied Richmond Chief Executive, Brendon Gale sitting in the stands putting his hands to his face in utter exasperation as to what was unfolding on-field with the Tigers. Muffed kicks, easy turnovers and a paltry goal to half-time and Gale’s response was totally understandable.It was almost Tony Jewell-esque (Who could forget the infamous footage of the former Tigers coach putting his hands to his face in sheer frustration)
The Tigers of old were definitely not on display on the weekend as the Greater Western Sydney Giants did what good teams do, they defeated their opposition on nearly all formats of the game and crushed them on the scoreboard to the tune of 88 points.
It was Richmond’s lowest score in 55 years and the season cannot end soon enough for the long suffering Richmond faithful who have only witnessed one finals win in over 15 seasons of football.
An awful day. Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin. His face sums up the mood of the Tigers. Photo: Jodie Newell
The Twitterverse was full of memes and calls for the sacking of Damien Hardwick during and after the game. Yet Brendon Gale categorically stated the following day that Hardwick would remain to coach in 2017.
Obviously the powers that be at Punt Road will be looking to next year. We questioned coach Hardwick post-game about the club’s recruiting strategy for 2017 and he was of the belief that he had a core group of suitable players but would be seeking to bolster the list “We’ve got some players that will take us forward.We’ve got some who are inexperienced, some who are injured. We’ve got a full playing deck available, we’re probably still off there’s no doubt about that, so we’ll be openly recruiting, so will seventeen other sides, so we’re in the market. We’ve just got to work with what we’ve got at the moment and continue to develop these players to be as good as they can be”.
Up there Himmelberg! Harrison Himmelberg takes one of his seven marks against Richmond. Photo: Jodie Newell
It’s clear Richmond need some help at the back with the loss of Troy Chaplin. It’s amazing how quickly things change in the AFL. Only a couple of seasons ago, Chaplin was holding out a Sydney Swans offense and during an away fixture. The Tigers defensive structure on that day was first class and kept out a very talented Swans forward line. Yet in 2016 they are nowhere near the side they were. The ruck department also needs a make-over. What happened to the passion and sheer determination that Ivan Maric brought to the table? it’s all but evaporated. Sure, Shaun Hampson won the hit-out count (37-28) against the red-hot, in form GWS ruckman in Shane Mumford, but he wasn’t as nearly effective around the ground as the big “Mummy” was. When Maric was in-form he was just as potent.
Shane Mumford was everywhere against Richmond. His physicality was solid in the contest. Photo: Jodie Newell
The Greater Western Sydney Giants however, cannot be faulted either. They were outstanding and were simply too good. Whilst the Richmond failure narrative is powerful, it does not define the result over the weekend. With a crucial double chance on offer the Giants made sure they were not going to lose an opportunity remain in the top four. Pre-match talk was full of references to the shock loss against Collingwood and some were expecting the Tigers to be just as competitive.
Those fears were emphatically put to rest as the GWS Giants slammed on a record breaking 8 goals to Richmond’s solitary behind. It was a brutal savaging and breathtaking to observe. The Giants not only snuffed out any possibility of a Richmond win, but sent a strong and clear message to the competition that come September, they will not be hanging around the finals “just for the experience” as some pundits have stated, but they will be a very serious contender for the flag.
Gun midfielder Dylan Shiel about to launch the GWS Giants into another attack. Photo: Jodie Newell
Steven Johnson surely is the recruit of the year. Stevie J dobbed 2 goals in the first quarter and kicked 3 for the match taking his season tally to 33 goals (more than last’s years total of 30) and thusfar it is his 6th best goal-kicking result in 15 seasons of football. He is in superb form.
The GWS midfield again showed just how powerful they are with Stephen Coniglio, Tom Scully, Dylan Shiel and Callan Ward racking up a combined 106 disposals out of a possible 393. The way the Giants move the ball is a showcase of modern, power running football. It is absolutely thrilling to watch as players such as Dylan Shiel and Tom Scully link up like rugby league players off-loading a slick pass and running with tremendous pace towards goal. It is unstoppable and the term “Orange Tsunami” is the perfect description of their attacking ways.
Cal Ward about to break away. Photo: Jodie Newell
The other great story from the game was the superb defensive game the Giants played. They restricted the Richmond forward line to it’s lowest score in 55 years and were miserly in giving any ball to their opposition. In the half-back / wing area, Zac Williams was such an exciting player. His pace and agility was something to behold as he out ran and out finessed his Tiger opponents. He combined well with Heath Shaw. Shaw was simply brilliant. He had 29 disposals and led many a Giants attack from the backline. Joel Patfull continues to provide a calm, experienced head in the defensive zone as well.
Heath Shaw was superb with 29 disposals. The GWS D kept the Tigers to only 3 goals Photo: Jodie Newell
Sam Reid, the “Lazurus Man” as we like to call him, continues to excel at the top level. Reid’s career has seen him go back and forth with the NEAFL side, his career looking like it was finished and then given an opportunity with the senior GWS side. Reid has grasped his opportunity big league and kicked 3 superb goals. His experience is clearly evident and he’s also tough. He took a knock in the first quarter, but was able to play through and be an effective contributor. Reid, if he remains in the side will definately be a player to watch in the finals series.
Coach Leon Cameron was delighted at the win, considering it was his against his former side. He clearly stated that he thought his defense were superb and praised all of his backmen.We asked him whether he was astounded at Sam Reid’s efforts and Cameron bluntly replied he wasn’t. Leon noted Reid’s story of perseverance which has paid dividends in terms of goals and experience.
Key forward and solid mark Rory Lobb copped an ankle injury and could be seen wearing a moon-boot after the game. Lobb didn’t seem too perturbed as he happily chatted with friends and family after the game, hardly the actions of a man seriously injured.
The Greater Western Sydney Giants (13-5) are now 2nd on the AFL ladder and play the Gold Coast Suns (6-12) who are 14th on the table, next Saturday afternoon at Metricon Stadium. Richmond (7-11) are 13th. At the MCG this Friday night, they face arch rivals Collingwood (8-10) who are currently 12th on the ladder.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 8.3 11.5 13.7 17.9 (111)
RICHMOND 0.1 1.2 3.4 3.5 (23)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Johnson 3, Reid 3, Greene 3, Scully 2, Cameron 2, Ward, Shiel, Kennedy, Smith
Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Lloyd
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Coniglio, Mumford, Reid
Richmond: Rance, Martin, Riewoldt
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Lobb (ankle)
Richmond: –
Reports: –
Umpires: David Harris, Craig Fleer, Scott Jeffery
VERDICT: The folks in lime had a reasonably good game. The Tigers benefited from some “sympathy” free kicks in the second half, but as in all good sports adjudicators, they remained mostly unnoticeable throughout the match. Job well done!
Official crowd: 14,974 at Manuka Oval
