Match thread - Round 13 v Tigers

[Daisi]

Well- I'll breathe easier when the game is over. We've been much much better than last week, and playing the MCG quite well. However, the opposition is not that great.

[Hotpotato]

Geez , they are calling the MCG The Swans
Haunted House …. Thats rubbing out noses in it .

[Thunder Shaker]

Richmond has not kicked a goal since the 18 minute mark of the first term. The ABC commentary have discussed whether this goalless streak is Richmond's longest. (It's not - there's one game where Richmond kicked no goals at all. Round 16, 1961: St Kilda 12.19 (91) vs Richmond 0.8 (8).)

[Thunder Shaker]

Addendum: Just after I posted that, the ABC commentary quoted that exact game, also mentioning that it was at the Junction Oval.

[longmile]

Not the prettiest game to watch but can see it was a much needed confidence lifter. Hopefully they can build on it for the second half of the year with key players still to come back

[Daisi]

Well that was promising, they looked like they wanted to play today. Hopefully they will put in that effort after the bye.

[dejavoodoo44]

ABC Radio votes: Grundy 3; Blakey 2; Jordon 1.

[longmile]

Also thought Cunningham and mills being back was much needed as both played well and freed up Blakey

[Hotpotato]

How could they miss JR and his grunt. He must be sore all over.

[liz]

ABC Radio votes: Grundy 3; Blakey 2; Jordon 1.

Brodie was good. More than good. But I'd have given the Lizard the top votes. He kick started us with his dare during the short period that Richmond were on top, and didn't stop all day.

Jordon was solid. Can't sniff at three goals. But I thought Rowbottom was instrumental in stopping Richmond's midfield after moving onto Prestia.

Mills and Cunningham were solid additions to our backline. We looked more composed, especially in the way we brought the ball out of defence. Though it's hard to know how much that was Richmond, rather than us.

Richmond have a lot of younger players (though not many of their recent draftees were playing today), but still have a solid core of highly experienced players. Their midfield - Nank, Prestia, Hopper, Taranto - shouldn't be getting flogged out of the middle like that by a team that isn't especially prone to flogging teams out of the middle.

[imuninformedtwo]

Far from perfect and the opposition was what it was, but definitely better.

Cox deserves some real credit. Jordon to Vlaustin (when often in the past we’d ask Hayward to do the job) worked a treat. Mills back gave Blakey some freedom to go berserk and he was clearly BOG as a result. Moving Rowie to Prestia after quarter time. Plus it looked like he gave the players some comfort to move the ball to space across half back and open the field up, then use our kicking skills. And he had to help get the players up after the shattering loss of last week. So good on him.

Grundy beat Nank, when that’s the sort of ruck he often struggles against so tick to him. Rowie’s tackling was just superb - 14 (and good to see Campbell second on that count). Tom McCartin really is such a great defender, and I don’t know why people doubt Harry Cunningham. He’s such a comfort blanket down there, and will make a great duo with Wicks, who was very good again.

Mills, Heeney, McInerney, Warner - excellent. Sheldrick very good too.

McLean wants to take some of those marks, and it was a bit frustrating, but he worked hard, crashed packs, and got to a ton of contests. Looked to be moving a lot better.

We will need to move the ball better again against better sides, but the intent was a bit more there.

And though I don’t to be a downer after all that, Lloyd . . . I don’t know what to say.

[Sandridge]

I don't care that the opposition was below par. My late father - who instilled in me a love for South Melbourne/Sydney - would've been 93 today and I'm stoked that we got the win!

Go you mighty Bloods!!

[imuninformedtwo]

ABC Radio votes: Grundy 3; Blakey 2; Jordon 1.

I’d reverse the first two but fair enough.

Vlaustin was a total non-factor today. Jordon obliterated him. Didn’t see him take an intercept mark all day.

Rowie or McCartin probably not far behind on votes.

[Hotpotato]

I don't care that the opposition was below par. My late father - who instilled in me a love for South Melbourne/Sydney - would've been 93 today and I'm stoked that we got the win!

Go you mighty Bloods!!

Well
I’m thrilled to bits for Ol Man Sandy , he’s in 7th heaven!!

[Nico]

That was a good win even though some of our disposal and decision making wasn't that terrific.
What a difference the inclusion of Mills and Cunningham made.
Mills reminded us a of his quality. I don't think he made a mistake.
Cunningham did what Roberts doesn't do; move the ball on quickly. Our defence looked much more settled and solid with those 2 in.
Rowbottom was just superb with 14 Tackles. (can you believe O'Keefe had 21 tackles in a grand final)
Correct me if I'm wrong but it appeared that Campbell played on the ball a lot. He was in and under at stoppages around the ground and had 7 tackles. He should always be on the ball for his running capacity and tackling.
Grundy was great again.
From a team perspective we had plenty of players around stoppages and didn't give Richmond a sniff. We ran hard to contests and finally got players running to help the defence. For once we had players breaking wide to the flanks.