Richmond are set to lose co-captain Toby Nankervis to suspension after boosting their AFL finals hopes with a nail-biting 13-point win over Sydney.
Jack Graham kicked two essential final-quarter objectives because the Tigers posted a 12.16 (88) to 11.9 (75) victory on the MCG on Thursday night time to maneuver inside touching distance of the highest eight.
But debutant Jacob Bauer limped off with a hamstring harm within the opening minutes and there was one other bitter observe when Nankervis caught Swans defender Jake Lloyd with a excessive bump.
Lloyd was substituted out with concussion throughout the second quarter after an incident that may entice scrutiny from the league’s match evaluate officer.
Replays confirmed Nankervis’ shoulder making contact with Lloyd’s head.
Richmond stars Dustin Martin (29 disposals, six clearances) and Dion Prestia (22, six) had been excellent on return, main their aspect to victory, whereas Shai Bolton (31, 9) and Tim Taranto (29, 9) additionally shone.
Graham and substitute Jack Ross kicked two objectives apiece.
Richmond trailed by as a lot as 26 factors throughout the second quarter however dominated the second half and kicked 4 of the final 5 objectives to overrun their opponents.
The consequence hung within the stability till Graham and Martin popped up with objectives deep in time-on of the final quarter.
It means the Tigers may finish the spherical simply two factors outdoors the highest eight.
And additionally it is a lift to caretaker coach Andrew McQualter’s probabilities of successful the full-time job, bettering his document on the helm to 4-2 since taking on from Damien Hardwick.
Sydney veteran Lance Franklin kicked two objectives on return from harm in what is probably going his last look on the MCG.
But the 36-year-old champion squandered the prospect to place his aspect again in entrance with a missed set shot throughout the last time period.
Isaac Heeney (three), Justin McInerney and Will Hayward (two every) additionally kicked a number of objectives for Sydney.
Errol Gulden (31 disposals), Oliver Florent (30) and Luke Parker (28) had been busy for the Swans, who had been left to rue a second-half fade-out in a loss that leaves them battling to remain in finals rivalry.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
