Re: The 2013 PREmier Fighting Tiger Award - Round 14 vs St Kilda - VOTE HERE
Well before today we had won 3 in a row and with the club thinking in blocks of 4 games wouldn’t it be great to come out with the quadrella! We want it, we need it and we expect it.
I was at a pre-match function and it was fantastic to hear from Ben Darou and Ivan Maric. Ivan said that the focus was on winning the midfield battle today. He mentioned that we were lucky to get away with the win last week as we got smashed in the midfield. He also mentioned that the club has put a lot of focus into not coughing the ball up when in possession as we did against Collingwood. I asked him afterwards how he was going with lifting some standards around the place as he mentioned he wanted to do when first arriving to the club. He told me that the standards at Adelaide were extremely high and the Tiges take their standards very seriously these days, not just in the gym but across all levels. He also mentioned that he will likely be out for a couple of weeks getting his groin right. Ben Darou said to look out for Matt Arnott’s hard tackling and good spread. His ferocity generally manages to annoy all opposition players. Ben and Matt are very good mates and Ben was wrapped that biscuits got a gig today. Unfortunately we won’t be seeing Ben for a while as he is eating liquid for two months with a broken jaw. Nice fella and at 6’3” I hope he gets a gig this year or next.
First Quarter:
Saints get off to a fast start while the Tiges squander early opportunities and drop a couple of inside 50 marks (Jack and Jake). Jack seems off a bit today with his kicking but still manages 2 goals. Azza’s kicks around the ground are elite but didn’t take his set shot opportunity electing to hand it off to Dusty who missed from a more difficult angle. Arnott got some good touches and showed signs of being a tough in and under player. The boys got composed and finished off the quarter 4.4.28 to 3.2.20.
Players who showed good signs – Stephenson, Arnott, Cotchin, Azza, Chappy
Second Quarter:
Saints start the second quarter like the first getting the first goal. They squandered their opportunities after that though and the Tiges kicked 6 unanswered goals. As the quarter rolled on the Saints really became a rabble with ominous signs showing this game will blowout. The Tiges started hitting up targets closer to the goal square unlike the first quarter where they were marking on the flanks. The Tiger press was also a strong positive.
Score – Tigers 10.9.69 to 4.4.28 with Chimp on 18 disposals, Azza on 16 and Foley on 14 disposals.
Great second quarter moments:
Jacko hits up Ty with the left boot under pressure.
Axel kicks a beauty goal along the ground through the legs of the Saints players.
Azza doing pretty much everything right.
Third Quarter:
Once again the Saints open up the quarter with the first goal but soon after Conca gets a soft free to square the ledger. Jackson scores from a standing start shot from 55m. DJ goes on to set up a goal and kick a 3rd himself. With 5 minutes to go the super sub Whitey comes on. It was a wet quarter so the skills weren’t great but the Tiges once again dominate the quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
Tiger pressure and intensity remains prominent throughout the whole quarter and Conca got himself crunched backing into a pack. Jack misses 2 easy set shots while his cousin kicks a gem from the boundary line. A tustle and bustle quarter and it is pleasing to see all the boys digging in right to the end.
Final score – Richmond 17.17.119 to St Kilda – 8.7.55
Best – Jackson, A Edwards, Stephenson, Cotchin, Foley, Rance, Conca. Honourable mention to Matty Arnott for an impressive debut.