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SportAFLAFL 2023

This was published 2 years ago

As it happened: Tigers down Freo in Perth, Hawks stun Lions, Walker kicks 10 as Crows crush Eagles

Ronny Lerner
Updated ,first published
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Key Posts

Mansell in MRO trouble
Here come the Dockers
Walters subbed in
Walker bag helps Crows destroy Eagles
Walker kicks 10th goal
Walker kicks goal No.9
Crows breach 100-point barrier
Crows on track for 100-point win
Walker reaches career-high eight goals
Seven goals for Tex before half-time

Good night

By Ronny Lerner

We headed into the day not expecting too much, but finished up witnessing two of the best games of the year.

Firstly, Hawthorn produced one of the biggest upsets of 2023 when they defeated premiership contenders Brisbane by 25 points at the MCG, then tonight Richmond ground out a gutsy 15-point victory on the road against Fremantle.

The Lions’ loss to the Hawks could be costly and it certainly loosens their grip on their top-four spot in the short-term.

Meanwhile, the Hawks have emphatically dispelled any suggestions that they are tanking, having now won three of their last four games, including the scalps of finals aspirants St Kilda and Brisbane.

And the Tigers are now just six points outside the top eight as Fremantle missed a huge chance to re-enter the top eight.

Tigers sing the song

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The Richmond belt it out loud and proud after their gutsy win over Freo in Perth.

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‘The boys stood up’: Vlastuin

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Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin spoke to Channel Seven after the game...

Q: Nick, there was quite a lot going on in that final term. Freo were coming really hard at you and you managed to hold up.
A: It was. Nat Fyfe got in the middle and started doing his thing. We were under a pump a little down the back but it was good.

Q: You in particular, when the ball got really wet you seemed to have really sure hands in the wet. What is your secret? Is it these things around the wrist (tape)?
A: That’s to keep the sweat off. I got lucky. Backs, didn’t get much contact when I was going for them. Few went my way.

Q: Did you think the momentum was clearly with Freo at the end of that third term. What did the coach change?
A: In the third quarter I think we out-scored them. He said, ‘Stand up, Richmond game’. We had Liam Baker and Daniel Rioli in. Their milestone games. We wanted to get it done for them. We knew they would roll the dice but the boys stood up.

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‘I’m so proud’: Nankervis

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Richmond captain Toby Nankervis spoke to Channel Seven after the game...

Q: That was a pretty intense final term. How did you see it?
A: Unbelievable. They are a quality team. They have been playing such good football. Yes, so good to come away as a group. Really set ourselves up for this game. I’m so proud of the team effort. Like, the momentum in the game, so proud.

Q: Three games now under Andrew McQualter. A couple of wins. It is a good vibe around the place.
A: Yes, he has been awesome for us. He has brought the edge we know he would. He has been around for a long time. He has great belief in our system.

Q: And Shai Bolton, obviously a Perth boy. He is a bit shy, didn’t want to talk. Brilliant performance particularly in the second half when you are under the pump.
A: Superstar. What he does with the football is unbelievable. Just as impressive what he does with the football for the team structure. I love playing with him.

Q: You got stuck on the bench a little bit. Are you all good?
A: Copped a knock. Ice it up tonight. Will be ready to go next week.

Tigers withstand purple surge to secure gutsy win

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Fremantle 1.3, 4.4, 8.9, 10.10 (70)
Richmond 4.3, 6.7, 11.10, 12.13 (85)

GOALS
Fremantle: Amiss 4, Walters 2, Sturt, Treacy, Brayshaw, Fyfe
Richmond: Short 3, Riewoldt 2, Taranto 2, Ross, Clarke, Mansell, Nankervis, Bolton

DISPOSALS
Fremantle: Serong 31, Brayshaw 29, Aish 26
Richmond: Taranto 35, Bolton 33, Cotchin 28, Prestia 27, Martin 27, Vlastuin 26

The Dockers looked like they were going to run over the top of Richmond in the final quarter.

After slipping 36 points down, Freo kicked six of the next seven goals to get back within seven points.

Bolton seals the deal

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Cox slews it off the side of the boot attempting to exit defensive 50 and it goes straight to Daniel Rioli.

With 20 seconds to go Rioli loads up from outside 50, it falls short but Bolton takes the huge pack mark on the behind line.

What a superstar Bolton is. With five seconds to go, Bolton converts the snap set shot from the sharp angle and that is game over.

Richmond lead by 15 points, 12.13.85 to 10.10.70, and that is a very good win on the road.

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Richmond backline heroic

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Richmond’s backline has been tremendous. They have repelled so many Fremantle forward thrusts, especially in the final quarter.

With 1:15 to go, Richmond still lead by nine points.

Bolton in the way again

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Bolton picks Fyfe’s pocket, and slaps the ball back into Richmond’s forward 50 for another throw-in.

With 2:36 to go, it’s the Tigers by nine points again.

Bolton has been huge with 13 of his 32 touches coming in the final quarter.

Thrilling finish in store

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Daniel Rioli strips Clark of the ball and there’ll be a throw-in on the Tigers’ half-forward flank with 3:20 to go. It’s Richmond by nine points still.

It’s been 21 minutes since the last goal.

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Frederick way off the mark

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Frederick runs along the boundary line but from 40m out under pressure his shot on goal goes out of bounds on the full.

With 3:57 to go, Richmond still lead by nine points.

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