Australian Football

Match Report

Excitement at Tigerland had reached fever pitch after a memorable win over St Kilda in round 10. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick had tried admirably to hose down the hype that surrounded a potential first finals appearance in 11 years. But after two wins in a row, Richmond came crashing back down to earth when Fremantle stunned the Tigers at the MCG. In wet and slippery conditions, the Dockers shutdown Richmond’s attacking game plan to score their first win at the MCG since 2007, ending a 10-match losing streak at the venue. The Dockers pressure was ferocious, laying 118 tackles – a club record. Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich put in a superstar game, kicking six majors, including two crucial goals early in the final term. The win also ended a three-match losing streak for the Dockers that saw them tumble out of the top-eight after a promising start to the season under new coach Ross Lyon. But the win came at a cost for Fremantle, losing star ruckman Aaron Sandilands for more than two months after suffering a turf toe, similar injury that interrupted much of his 2011 season, but on the opposite foot.



GOALS

Richmond: Edwards 3, Riewoldt, Vickery, Martin, Nahas, Cotchin, Tuck

Fremantle: Pavlich 6, Ballantyne 2, Crichton, Griffin, Mayne, De Boer



BEST - AFL.COM.AU

Richmond: Cotchin, Edwards, Tuck, Grigg, Morris

Fremantle: Pavlich, De Boer, Crowley, Hill, Mayne, Ballantyne

BEST - WA TODAY.COM.AU
Richmond: Cotchin, Maric, Tuck, Grigg, Edwards

Fremantle: Pavlich, De Boer, Crowley, Griffin, McPharlin, Ballantyne, Barlow

COACHES COMMENTS
Damien Hardwick (Rich): We just didn't go in hard enough. They were smashing into packs; we were sifting off. On a day like today that's not going to cut it.

Ross Lyon (Frem): I'm just happy for the players, who have never wilted with effort to get some reward, and I thought we were terrific for three quarters against Adelaide but three quarters doesn't get it done. [For] probably three quarters and 90 per cent, [we] were pretty good and you get it done, so it's good.

Umpires: Donlon, Schmitt, Mollison