Tigers v Hawks - snippets
Star Man: Joel Bowden (Richmond) - A week after his 250th game ended in a crushing defeat and the Tiger veteran's remarkable season took another twist on Sunday. Already responsible for three Tigers' victories this season with his last minute heroics, the 30-year-old dominated on Sunday with 38 disposals and a staggering 21 marks and was the glue that held the Tigers' together as they stood up to sustained Hawthorn pressure in the second half.
What a Goal! Lance "Buddy" Franklin began the day needing nine goal to bring up his century for the season and he certainly made a magnificent start in the opening term when he produced two absolute gems - in contrasting fashion - that were definitely contenders for goal of the year. Firstly he bounced one through on the run with a left foot banana from a tight angle from 35 metres before following up later in the quarter with an unbelievable set shot conversion from 55 metres out - virtually standing right on the boundary fence - after Kelvin Moore had unluckily conceded an out on the full free-kick when the ball bounced over the line off his foot after he had initially spoiled Franklin.
Classic Grab: Richmond youngster Daniel Connors, in only his second game this season and sixth of his career, had a huge impact on Sunday not only kicking three goals but taking the mark of the day when he soared high over Rick Ladson on the outer wing in the second quarter.
Turning Point: After a poor first half, the Hawks dominated the third term but just could make no impact on the Tigers 31 point half-time lead. At one stage late in the term, the Hawks virtually had the ball inside their forward 50 for about ten minutes yet could only manage four behinds and when Mitch Morton soccered one through just before three-quarter-time, the Tigers still lead by 27 points at the last change despite having been comprehensively outplayed during the quarter as evidenced by the fact the Hawks enjoyed 15 inside 50's to six for the term yet won the quarter by just four points.
Absolute Shocker: Experienced Richmond defender Jay Schulz made two dreadful errors in the opening term but thankfully neither cost his side too much. First he kicked straight to Brad Sewell coming out of defence but Sewell let him off by missing his resultant shot at goal while just minutes later he somehow contrived to kick a behind for Hawthorn after kicking backwards attempting to find a Richmond teammate. But finally Schulz did cost the Tigers a goal at the start of the second term when he refused to come back on the mark, despite repeated requests, resulting in a goal from a 50 metre penalty to Jordan Lewis.
Unsung Hero: Luke McGuane (Richmond) - The 21-year-old defender played the best and most important game of his 30 match career on Sunday with a magnificent defensive performance. Not only did McGuane keep Jarryd Roughead goalless in the first half but he aided Kelvin Moore - who had the even more difficult task of manning up Franklin - at every opportunity before taking over on Franklin after half-time where he kept the Hawks' superstar to just one goal after half-time.