Australian Football

Match Report

The football action kicked off first at the City Mazda Stadium in Richmond, the Friday Night Mayhem beginning with the Bloods facing the Tigers in the "Battle of the Sashes". The Tigers took the first points on offer against the Bloods back in Round 7 last season, but when a finals spot was on the line it all went horribly wrong. The Bloods' 13-point win in Round 18 putting an Elimination Final berth out of their reach, much to the delight of Centrals fans at Woodville at the time. Westies only just managed to come out winners before their bye against South, while the Tigers went down to the Dogs last week. 

The Bloods started on the right note, Glenelg's early defensive game plan not working as they found themselves down by 17 points at the first change with the board reading 6.2 to 3.3. But then the Tigers found their feet and hit back in fine style, scoring 6.1 to a lowly 1.1 to lead by 13 points at half-time. What came out snarling in the opening term suddenly lost their bite, the Tigers all over the Bloods at the stoppages and in general play as well as more polished skill than what they displayed against Centrals. Their goal-kicking went a bit off in the third term, but the Bloods added nothing to their tally for the entire quarter. The visitors added 2.5 to stretch their lead to five goals come three quarter-time. West brought the gap back to within three straight kicks mid-way through the final term, but despite outscoring them it wouldn't be enough as the Tigers held firm, kicking 2.3 to 3.2 to win by 25 points. 

Chris Curran was named best for the Tigers, the Bloods voted in Josh Schiller as their best on ground.