Fremantle have been robbed of a vital late objective as a Shai Bolton masterclass impressed Richmond to an upset 15-point AFL victory at a moist and slippery Optus Stadium in Perth.
The Tigers led by 36 factors halfway by means of the third quarter earlier than Fremantle booted six of the following seven targets to scale back the margin to seven factors early within the closing time period.
With slightly below 5 minutes remaining, Fremantle defender Ethan Hughes thought he had closed the margin to 4 factors with a spectacular solo effort, however the objective umpire indicated Nathan Broad could have touched it on the road.
Replays confirmed the ball seemingly going by means of Broad’s arms untouched however the proof wasn’t ample sufficient for the objective evaluation system to overturn the choice.
Richmond held agency within the dying minutes to safe the 12.13 (85) to 10.10 (70) win, maintaining their faint finals hopes flickering.
Bolton was the star of the present, with the 24-year-old ending with 33 disposals, six clearances, 11 inside 50s and 920m gained.
He additionally booted the ultimate objective of the match within the dying seconds.
Tim Taranto (35 disposals, seven clearances, two targets) was additionally very good, whereas Jayden Short booted three targets from outdoors 50m to set the tone.
For Fremantle, Caleb Serong (31 disposals, 9 clearances) and ahead Jye Amiss (4 targets) have been influential, whereas Nat Fyfe (17 disposals, 4 clearances, one objective) and Michael Walters (two targets) performed key roles within the fightback.
Richmond ahead Rhyan Mansell might be in strife for an enormous bump on James Aish that rattled the Fremantle winger and even knocked his headband off.
Jack Graham will even be sweating for his dump deal with on younger Docker Matthew Johnson.
Fremantle didn’t capitalise on their early dominance, they usually have been made to pay dearly because the Tigers booted the final 4 targets of the opening time period.
The Tigers’ lead was nonetheless 18 factors when a downpour hit the stadium early within the second time period.
Amiss defied the circumstances to pluck a contested mark and kick his third objective of the match.
Fremantle’s possibilities appeared useless and buried when Richmond shot out to a 36-point lead halfway by means of the third quarter.
But in a frenetic end to the time period, Fremantle booted 4 of the following 5 targets to trim the margin to a manageable 19 factors on the closing change.
Fyfe offered the spotlight of the fightback when he nailed a objective from the pocket after gathering a bouncing ball from the ruck faucet.
Goals to Walters and Amiss early within the closing quarter set Fremantle up for what would have been a well-known victory however Richmond held agency in necessary moments to seal the win.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
