Richmond beat Eagles to continue AFL top-eight charge

Richmond beat Eagles to continue AFL top-eight charge

Richmond at the moment are simply half a win adrift of the highest eight after posting an error-riddled 38-point AFL victory over West Coast at Optus Stadium.

The Tigers arrange the 14.14 (98) to eight.12 (60) win on Sunday with a six-goal blitz unfold both aspect of half-time.

Although Eleventh-placed Richmond (8-1-8) failed to provide their share an enormous increase, they’re now simply half a win adrift of the sixth-placed St Kilda, seventh-placed Western Bulldogs, and eighth-placed Essendon.

Richmond are 5-2 underneath interim coach Andrew McQualter, together with 5 wins from their previous six matches.

The Tigers would possibly leap into the highest eight if they’ll beat lowly Hawthorn subsequent Saturday on the MCG, and so they spherical out their season with video games towards Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide.

Tigers speedster Shai Bolton completed with 2.4 from 23 disposals towards West Coast, whereas veteran Dustin Martin tallied 23 possessions, 4 clearances and a pair of.2 in a vigorous show.

Martin might be in bother for an off-the-ball elbow to the midriff of Eagles defender Alex Witherden, however the incident is extra prone to appeal to a positive reasonably than suspension.

West Coast veteran Andrew Gaff got here on because the sub within the first quarter when Reuben Ginbey succumbed to a hamstring damage.

AFL Match Centre

Gaff, who tallied simply six disposals towards Brisbane final week, completed with 24 possessions in a a lot better show.

Forward Oscar Allen kicked three targets after overcoming a wrist damage scare within the second quarter.

West Coast have been significantly ravaged by damage considerations through the opening time period, however most of their stricken gamers have been capable of return to the sphere.

Star defender Jeremy McGovern went off throughout the first two minutes after an unintentional boot to the face from teammate Liam Duggan.

Tom Barrass was left worse for put on after falling head first into the turf in a spoiling try on Jack Riewoldt, and Ginbey was subbed off halfway via the quarter with a hamstring damage.

McGovern returned simply earlier than quarter time after a concussion check, and Barrass was additionally cleared to return.

Richmond dominated the within 50m battle 18-6 within the opening quarter, however their lead was a meagre 11 factors on the first change.

The sport was nonetheless within the steadiness till the Tigers struck a sequence of speedy blows both aspect of half-time.

Liam Baker and Ivan Soldo posted targets simply earlier than half-time, and Richmond unleashed a four-goal burst in 4 minutes to begin the third quarter to increase the result in 47 factors.

Eagles ahead Jack Darling kicked his five hundredth profession purpose late within the third time period when he marked within the pocket and snapped really, sparking an enormous cheer among the many 40,501 followers in attendance.

And when Oscar Allen adopted it with one other purpose moments later, the margin was again to 29 factors on the ultimate change.

But there could be no fairytale fightback, with Richmond holding West Coast at arm’s size earlier than kicking the ultimate two targets.

Source: www.perthnow.com.au