A Remarkable Comeback for the Tigers
Richmond coach Adem Yze has commended the resilience of his young team after they managed to pull off a surprising 11-point victory over West Coast in Perth. The match, held at Optus Stadium, was a testament to the determination and spirit of the Tigers, who faced significant challenges throughout the game.
The Tigers entered the match with only 27 fit players due to a severe injury list that included 17 players. This already daunting situation worsened when veteran Dion Prestia suffered a calf injury in the opening minutes of the game. Despite these setbacks, the team managed to maintain their composure and ultimately secured their first win of the season.
The game was marked by 14 lead changes, showcasing the intense back-and-forth nature of the match. With just five minutes remaining, the Eagles were leading by two points. However, a crucial moment came when Harley Reid gave away a high-tackle free kick. Both Reid and Elliot Yeo began running back towards their defensive 50m, but Yeo failed to realize he had been ordered to stand the mark by the umpire. This led to a 50m penalty, allowing Steely Green to score a close-range set shot.
West Coast’s No.1 draft pick, Willem Duursma, made things exciting with a stunning goal on the run with 88 seconds left on the clock. However, Seth Campbell sealed the victory for Richmond with a clutch long-range strike. Although the Tigers remain at the bottom of the ladder, this win marked the end of a 12-match losing streak and was their first win since defeating the Eagles in round 19 last year.
“I’m really proud of the group – we’re dealing with a fair bit off the field with availability and things like that,” Yze said. “I mentioned post-game, this would be easily one of the best wins I’ve been involved in because of that. We’re dealing with a lot with availability, but you wouldn’t know it with our spirit and our energy.”
West Coast fell to 2-6, but the result was an improvement from their previous loss to St Kilda, where they conceded 101 points. Eagles coach Andrew McQualter expressed disappointment over the 50m penalty paid against Yeo. “It was a 50m by the rule,” McQualter said. “That’s what the rule was there for, and our players need to know that if a free kick is paid, you can’t run out of the area. It is what it is.”
Key Performances and Highlights
Noah Balta delivered a standout performance for the Tigers, finishing with 19 disposals, 20 hit-outs, four contested marks, five clearances, and three goals. Jonty Faull and Seth Campbell also contributed significantly, each kicking three goals. Jack Ross (29 disposals, 11 clearances) and Kane McAuliffe (28 disposals) were also influential in the Tigers’ victory.
On the other side, Tim Kelly led the Eagles with 30 disposals, seven clearances, and a goal. Harley Reid had a strong first half, finishing with 26 possessions, 10 clearances, and two goals. The Eagles took the opportunity to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of their 2006 flag, with members of that team forming a guard of honour as the Eagles ran through the banner.
The first half was filled with nine lead changes and several mistakes. One notable error came from Richmond’s second-gamer, Sam Cumming, who accidentally kicked the ball 50m in the wrong direction. West Coast started strongly in the second quarter, kicking the first three goals, including a two-bounce special from Reid, to take a 12-point lead.
However, strong marking in attack from Faull and two goals from Balta in the final minute of the half helped the Tigers go into the long break with a 10-point lead. West Coast entered the halftime break having lost 19 consecutive quarters, a record low for the club, but the late fadeout in the final quarter proved to be the most painful part of the loss.
