Richmond have stormed residence from 36 factors down late within the third quarter to steal a miracle one-point AFL win over Hawthorn after a Liam Baker objective within the dying levels.
The Tigers booted the ultimate six objectives of Saturday’s recreation on the MCG, conserving the Hawks goal-less within the fourth time period in a significant outcome for his or her flickering finals probabilities.
Richmond led early within the second quarter however did not hit the entrance once more till a minute remaining when Baker snapped his second objective to the massive roar of the Tigers trustworthy.
Hawthorn pushed ahead from the following centre clearance however Richmond have been in a position to thwart the Hawks’ assault to prevail 14.12 (96) to fifteen.5 (95).
Caretaker Richmond coach Andrew McQualter hailed the Tigers’ skilled gamers, like Dion Prestia, for focusing in on easy methods to win tight video games.
Richmond misplaced quite a few shut contests on the finish of Damien Hardwick’s tenure, together with final yr’s elimination closing in opposition to the Brisbane Lions.
“Last week he got the group together and he took the whole group through scenarios,” McQualter stated.
“We’ve spoken about it before late in games, it’s about moments and people getting things done in the critical moments.
“The management he is proven, amongst another leaders, we have been in a position to get the outcome due to it.”
After being poor for much of the afternoon, Richmond’s stars stepped up as Dustin Martin (two goals, 24 disposals) and Tim Taranto (three goals, 23 disposals) all played crucial roles in the final-quarter charge.
The Tigers were staring down the barrel of finishing the round as low as 14th had they lost, but the comeback means they have jumped back into seventh on the ladder.
Richmond will likely need to win only three of their remaining five matches to be guaranteed of playing finals, with tricky games against the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Port Adelaide following next week’s clash with Melbourne.
The Hawks shocked the Tigers with a brave and bold style of play, blowing the match open with six straight goals in the second quarter.
In an added blow for Hawthorn after the heartbreaking defeat, they will potentially be without Ned Reeves for next week’s match against the Saints after he was reported for a dangerous tackle (rough conduct) on opposing big man Ivan Soldo.
The incident appeared to be even more severe than some of the tackles that have led to players being suspended this year under the AFL’s crackdown
Another concern for the Hawks was former No.6 draft pick Denver Grainger-Barras failing to pick up a possession in two-and-a-half quarters before he was tactically substituted out in the third term.
Grainger-Barras spent 11 weeks out of the team but was recalled two weeks ago for the clash with GWS.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was left shattered by the result and found it difficult to pinpoint what went wrong.
“I’m certain there’s positives out of that recreation however I am unable to discover any but,” he stated.
“Enormously upset to surrender a lead, and to play so properly for therefore lengthy, and to not be capable to retain it’s a part of our studying.
“We’re all looking in the mirror and wondering what we could have done differently.
“We have not achieved a variety of state of affairs coaching; two objectives up, two objectives down … as a result of being in video games has been a problem for us throughout the yr.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
