4:48:43 PM Sun 6 April, 2003
Paul Gough
afl.com.au
The Western Bulldogs did not take long to find out just how tough life is going to be without Chris Grant after their inexperienced defence collapsed after half-time against Richmond at Telstra Dome on Sunday.
The Bulldogs looked on course for a second successive victory to start the season when they led by 14 points at half-time but even to that stage the Tigers had enjoyed 35 entries into their forward 50 as opposed to the Bulldogs' 25.
And when the Tigers, who came into this game under plenty of pressure following their dismal first round showing against Collingwood, lifted their intensity after half-time the Bulldogs defence simply could not cope.
The Tigers slammed on 12 goals to six after the break to win 16.15 (111) to 13.11 (89) - a victory that will considerably boost morale at Punt Road and lift the spirits of the club's huge but volatile army of supporters.
And it may translate into some valuable dollars for the Tigers after new football operations manager Greg Miller revealed before the game that some 9000 members from last year had not yet renewed their season tickets in 2003 following last year’s dismal slide from 3rd to 14th.
But on this performance there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about Richmond’s 2003 season with the second half onslaught being achieved despite champion forward Matthew Richardson not being a dominant factor.
Richardson, who kicked 1.6 amid much criticism in the first round against Collingwood, only managed one goal for the game and although he kicked two behinds neither was an easy shot.
But while the Tigers will be delighted to achieve a victory and a score above 100 points - which happened so infrequently in 2002 - without Richardson making a major contribution - that stat also says a lot about the Bulldogs' defensive problems in the wake of losing Grant.
In fact the Dogs were ultimately undone by a former favourite son and a player widely written off after he struggled in 2002.
Veteran Leon Cameron - more known as a defender throughout his 237 game career - booted four goals.
It was Cameron who gave the Tigers the all-important psychological edge and momentum going into the final quarter when he floated across in front of inexperienced Bulldogs' defender Brian Harris and goaled just before the last change to give the Tigers a two point lead.
Then after Brad Johnson had regained the lead for the Bulldogs’ early in the final quarter - it was the 30-year-old who kicked the next two goals to swing the game Richmond's way.
Cult figure David Rodan - a quiet player in the first half - then benefited from Cameron’s skill and persistence when he forced a turnover then handballed to Mark Chaffey, who then set the tiny rover up for a goal which extended the lead to 16 points.
And when Rodan goaled shortly after, the Tigers were 22 points in front and running away with the game.
But while the Tigers’ attack – with giant duo Greg Stafford and Ray Hall a handful for the undersized Dogs’ defence all day – ultimately prevailed, the Tigers defence also played a major role in the win.
Rugged defender Andrew Kellaway, despite conceding 9cm and 10kg, thrashed Bulldogs’ centre-half-forward Daniel Bandy and gave the Tigers’ constant drive.
And with Nathan Brown struggling to escape the close attention of Darren Gaspar – even though he did finish with four goals – the Bulldogs’ attack did not have enough potency.
And of course Bulldogs’ coach Peter Rohde did not have the luxury of throwing Grant up forward as his best key position player started his long road to recovery from last week’s season-ending knee injury.
RICHMOND: 3.4 4.9 10.10 16.15 (111)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 1.2 7.5 10.7 13.11 (89)
GOALS: Richmond: Cameron 4, Rodan 2, Stafford 2, Tivendale 2, Coughlan, Fiora, Hall, Hilton, Pettifer, Richardson.
Western Bulldogs: Brown 4, Giansiracusa 2, Garlick, Hahn, Hargrave, Johnson, McMahon, Smith
BEST: Richmond: Tivendale, Johnson, A.Kellaway, Cameron, Gaspar, Campbell, Bowden
Western Bulldogs: West, Johnson, Giansiracusa, Alvey, Darcy, Brown
INJURIES: Richmond:
Western Bulldogs:
CHANGES: Richmond: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil
REPORTS:
UMPIRES: Rowston, Vozzo, Wenn
CROWD: 28,847
Paul Gough
afl.com.au
The Western Bulldogs did not take long to find out just how tough life is going to be without Chris Grant after their inexperienced defence collapsed after half-time against Richmond at Telstra Dome on Sunday.
The Bulldogs looked on course for a second successive victory to start the season when they led by 14 points at half-time but even to that stage the Tigers had enjoyed 35 entries into their forward 50 as opposed to the Bulldogs' 25.
And when the Tigers, who came into this game under plenty of pressure following their dismal first round showing against Collingwood, lifted their intensity after half-time the Bulldogs defence simply could not cope.
The Tigers slammed on 12 goals to six after the break to win 16.15 (111) to 13.11 (89) - a victory that will considerably boost morale at Punt Road and lift the spirits of the club's huge but volatile army of supporters.
And it may translate into some valuable dollars for the Tigers after new football operations manager Greg Miller revealed before the game that some 9000 members from last year had not yet renewed their season tickets in 2003 following last year’s dismal slide from 3rd to 14th.
But on this performance there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about Richmond’s 2003 season with the second half onslaught being achieved despite champion forward Matthew Richardson not being a dominant factor.
Richardson, who kicked 1.6 amid much criticism in the first round against Collingwood, only managed one goal for the game and although he kicked two behinds neither was an easy shot.
But while the Tigers will be delighted to achieve a victory and a score above 100 points - which happened so infrequently in 2002 - without Richardson making a major contribution - that stat also says a lot about the Bulldogs' defensive problems in the wake of losing Grant.
In fact the Dogs were ultimately undone by a former favourite son and a player widely written off after he struggled in 2002.
Veteran Leon Cameron - more known as a defender throughout his 237 game career - booted four goals.
It was Cameron who gave the Tigers the all-important psychological edge and momentum going into the final quarter when he floated across in front of inexperienced Bulldogs' defender Brian Harris and goaled just before the last change to give the Tigers a two point lead.
Then after Brad Johnson had regained the lead for the Bulldogs’ early in the final quarter - it was the 30-year-old who kicked the next two goals to swing the game Richmond's way.
Cult figure David Rodan - a quiet player in the first half - then benefited from Cameron’s skill and persistence when he forced a turnover then handballed to Mark Chaffey, who then set the tiny rover up for a goal which extended the lead to 16 points.
And when Rodan goaled shortly after, the Tigers were 22 points in front and running away with the game.
But while the Tigers’ attack – with giant duo Greg Stafford and Ray Hall a handful for the undersized Dogs’ defence all day – ultimately prevailed, the Tigers defence also played a major role in the win.
Rugged defender Andrew Kellaway, despite conceding 9cm and 10kg, thrashed Bulldogs’ centre-half-forward Daniel Bandy and gave the Tigers’ constant drive.
And with Nathan Brown struggling to escape the close attention of Darren Gaspar – even though he did finish with four goals – the Bulldogs’ attack did not have enough potency.
And of course Bulldogs’ coach Peter Rohde did not have the luxury of throwing Grant up forward as his best key position player started his long road to recovery from last week’s season-ending knee injury.
RICHMOND: 3.4 4.9 10.10 16.15 (111)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 1.2 7.5 10.7 13.11 (89)
GOALS: Richmond: Cameron 4, Rodan 2, Stafford 2, Tivendale 2, Coughlan, Fiora, Hall, Hilton, Pettifer, Richardson.
Western Bulldogs: Brown 4, Giansiracusa 2, Garlick, Hahn, Hargrave, Johnson, McMahon, Smith
BEST: Richmond: Tivendale, Johnson, A.Kellaway, Cameron, Gaspar, Campbell, Bowden
Western Bulldogs: West, Johnson, Giansiracusa, Alvey, Darcy, Brown
INJURIES: Richmond:
Western Bulldogs:
CHANGES: Richmond: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil
REPORTS:
UMPIRES: Rowston, Vozzo, Wenn
CROWD: 28,847
