Tigers too good for the Dockers
13 April 2003 AFL
AAP
RICHMOND beat Fremantle by 48 points in a waterlogged match at the MCG.
The Tigers handled the shocking conditions much better than the Dockers, celebrating captain Wayne Campbell's 250th match with a 14.10 (94) to 6.10 (46).
The rain started midway through the second term and became monsoonal just before half time, with players barely recognisable when they were on the other side of the ground.
Even the MCG's normally-effective drainage system could not cope with the downpour, which left puddles on the ground during the third quarter.
It meant a return to the waterlogged contests that used to mark suburban football before ground rationalisation and players such as Richmond's Mark Coughlan, obviously a mudlark, loved it, kicking two goals.
Team-mate David Rodan also revelled in the wet weather, kicking three goals.
The rain finally stopped in the last term, by which time the only factor in dispute was the margin.
The result continued Fremantle's shocking record in Melbourne, with the Dockers now 1-14 at the MCG.
Fremantle was already in trouble when the rain arrived and failed to kick a goal from midway through the second term until late in the third.
Richmond kicked five goals in between to kill off the match.
Tim Fleming, the late replacement for Matthew Richardson, had a memorable AFL debut.
His snap in the goalsquare just went through for a major four minutes into the third term.
Rodan also kicked an outstanding running goal a few minutes later and those two scores broke Fremantle's back.
Troy Simmonds, Peter Bell and Roger Hayden were the better players in an ugly day for Fremantle.
13 April 2003 AFL
AAP
RICHMOND beat Fremantle by 48 points in a waterlogged match at the MCG.
The Tigers handled the shocking conditions much better than the Dockers, celebrating captain Wayne Campbell's 250th match with a 14.10 (94) to 6.10 (46).
The rain started midway through the second term and became monsoonal just before half time, with players barely recognisable when they were on the other side of the ground.
Even the MCG's normally-effective drainage system could not cope with the downpour, which left puddles on the ground during the third quarter.
It meant a return to the waterlogged contests that used to mark suburban football before ground rationalisation and players such as Richmond's Mark Coughlan, obviously a mudlark, loved it, kicking two goals.
Team-mate David Rodan also revelled in the wet weather, kicking three goals.
The rain finally stopped in the last term, by which time the only factor in dispute was the margin.
The result continued Fremantle's shocking record in Melbourne, with the Dockers now 1-14 at the MCG.
Fremantle was already in trouble when the rain arrived and failed to kick a goal from midway through the second term until late in the third.
Richmond kicked five goals in between to kill off the match.
Tim Fleming, the late replacement for Matthew Richardson, had a memorable AFL debut.
His snap in the goalsquare just went through for a major four minutes into the third term.
Rodan also kicked an outstanding running goal a few minutes later and those two scores broke Fremantle's back.
Troy Simmonds, Peter Bell and Roger Hayden were the better players in an ugly day for Fremantle.
