Richmond has once again shown they’re over the struggles of the middle of the season, proving they’re a tier above Port Adelaide.
They were too strong all afternoon, using the handball game to rip the Power apart. The Tigers led all day and pushed the lead out in the fourth quarter to win by 38 points.
Here’s everything you need to know!
The Talking Point: Lynch and Riewoldt looming large
Jack Riewoldt is back after a season interrupted with knee issues and Tom Lynch is finding form after being plagued by his own injury problems last season.
This should scare every other team in the top eight.
Lynch and Riewoldt combined for 6.5, 14 marks and already look like they have developed plenty of chemistry.
Spud: "Richmond can be a force because they always have a go-to player up forward with Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt present."
— AFL Nation (@AFLNation) July 20, 2019
RICH 59 PA 37#AFLTigersPower
The Difference: Richmond’s handball game
The Tigers finished the game with roughly 50 more handballs than the Power and made an effort all afternoon to link up by hand through the middle of the ground.
Bachar Houli, Shai Bolton, Brandon Ellis, Sydney Stack, Dustin Martin, Liam Baker and Shane Edwards were among those with 10 or more handballs for the day, all of Richmond’s main movers.
The Tigers kept the game at their pace all afternoon, forcing the Power to play fast, especially in the first half, leading to Richmond causing plenty of turnovers, resulting in the majority of their goals.
Sydney Stack with the intercept and the unselfish assist!
— AFL (@AFL) July 20, 2019
Great effort from the young man.#AFLTigersPower pic.twitter.com/pitZG31KGu
What’s next?
Richmond returns to the Friday night stage next round to take on Collingwood in what is looming as a huge game of football between two genuine contenders.
Port Adelaide meanwhile hosts GWS at the Adelaide Oval in a must-win game to keep their finals hopes alive.
Full Score
Richmond: 5.4, 8.5, 12.7, 15.11. (101)
Port Adelaide: 2.4, 4.6, 7.7, 9.9. (63)
BEST
Richmond: Martin, Lynch, Prestia, Grimes, Ellis, Baker
Port Adelaide: Amon, Boak, Byrne-Jones, Duursma, Broadbent
Reports: Nil
Injuries: Nil