In a Tweet

The Rundown

Playing in front of a record crowd of 70,701 for a clash between the two sides, Richmond took the early lead after a five-goal first term, with the margin sitting at 17-points at the first break.

The combination of McEvoy and Mitchell through the middle of the ground was proving as damaging as ever asb the Hawks led clearances 25-10 at halftime, but failed to capitalise as both sides managed three goals for the term.

The Hawks pegged back the margin with two of the first three goals of the third quarter through Roughead and Rioli, but the Tigers then piled on the next three to put themselves well and trulyin the box seat heading into the final term.

A Jason Castagna goal to start the quarter looked to have put the contest to bed as the Tigers led by 39 points, but the Hawks weren’t going away just yet.

Jarryd Roughead and Tom Mitchell combined to give the Hawks three of the next four goals, while when Paul Puopolo goaled midway through the term first term, the margin was suddenly back to 20 points.

Tigers spearhead Jack Riewoldt marked strongly deep in the forward fifty and steadied the Tigers with a much-needed goal, but the Hawks continued to press, with Luke Breust bringing the side back to within 20 points.

With just  over two minutes remaining on the clock, Isaac Smith spotted Breust again close to goal, who managed to mark with Tigers defender Alex Rance collecting him heavily late and leaving him unable to take the kick.

While Jaeger O’Meara took the shot, slotting the goal, time would ultimately run out for the Hawks who went down by 13 points.

The Star

Prolific as always, Tom Mitchell again broke the 40-disposal barrier, picking up 42 as he ran rampant against the Tigers.

The midfielder also had eight tackles, 11 clearances and six inside fifties to go with his crucial last quarter goal.

The Moment

With Hawthorn threatening to pull off an almighty comeback in the final term the Tigers sent a long ball inside 50.

Amongst a pack of players, Jack Riewoldt read the flight of the ball better than anyone to mark strongly.

The key forward went back and kicked the goal, giving the Tigers some handy breathing space and ultimately pushing the margin just beyond the Hawks’ reach.

 

The Coach

"We fell a bit short, particularly early, but we're really pleased that we ran the game out. That should give us a bit of hope."

  • Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson

 

RICHMOND     5.3    8.7    12.11    15.12 (102)
HAWTHORN    2.4    5.6      7.8      13.11 (89) 

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Castagna 3, Higgins 2, Grigg, Edwards, Nankervis, Lloyd, McIntosh, Butler
Hawthorn: Roughead 4, Puopolo 3, Breust 3, Rioli, Mitchell, O'Meara 

BEST 
Richmond: Cotchin, Conca, Houli, Vlastuin, Rance, Martin
Hawthorn: Mitchell, McEvoy, Smith, Roughead, Gunston 

INJURIES 
Richmond: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil 

Reports: Nil 

Umpires: Fisher, Rosebury, Hosking 

Official crowd: 70,701 at the MCG