A brave bid by the West Coast Eagles to unseat reigning premiers Richmond fell short at Metricon Stadium tonight.

While the Tigers broke away on several occasions throughout the match, the persistent Eagles refused to go away before falling to a 27–point defeat that defied the closeness of the battle all night. 

Richmond made the most of their opportunities, kicking an accurate 14.4 (88) to 9.7 (61).

In what was one of the most absorbing battles of the season, Richmond found ways to counter West Coast’s moves, finding ways to trump them with cleaner ball entry into the attacking 50 and never wasting an opportunity.

It was a case of the Eagles’ best not being good enough, but coach Adam Simpson remained proud of his team’s effort.

While Bachar Houli, in trademark fashion launched many of Richmond’s attacking thrusts from the back half, they also had strong contributions from Dustin Martin and Jason Castagna while Tom Lynch kicked three goals.

The Eagles withstood the Richmond energy for much of the game, but the Tigers managed to string together windows of dominance that proved the difference.

Wingman Andrew Gaff and fellow midfielders Luke Shuey and Tim Kelly did much to keep their side in the hunt, while Liam Ryan and Jack Darling each kicked three goals.   

The Tigers broke the game with an irresistible four-goal burst in the third, but the Eagles hung in there through goals from Ryan, who was playing deep in place of the concussed Josh Kennedy, and then Jack Darling received a holding free in the goal square.

Twice Richmond took it out to 27 and 28 points, but the Eagles responded on each occasion.

Initially from the Darling free and then he took a strong mark about 20 metres from goal.

He kicked his third for the term when driven into the ground by a Nick Vlaustin tackle, the conversion of the opportunity coming after the siren, reducing the margin to a manageable 14 points.

But the Tigers had the first 10 inside 50 metre entries in the last quarter, to take a stranglehold on the game.    

In the first half opportunities were being created once again off the ruck genius of Nic Naitanui and the work of midfielders Gaff, Dom Sheed, Shuey and Kelly.

In addition Jamie Cripps worked hard both ways and the defence was being led once again by Liam Duggan and Tom Cole.  

Both teams flexed muscles early, with the heat on at every contest.

Richmond had the better of the early going, but the Eagles hung tough until, eventually, Kelly kicked his team’s opening goal at the 17 minute mark of the term.

The Tigers seemed to have greater representation around the football and were playing a loose behind the ball. When the Eagles settled, however, it went goal for goal.

Unfortunately West Coast lost champion spearhead Kennedy when an errant knee from Richmond defender Noah Balta hit him in the head.

Ryan kick-started the Eagles in the second term when he marked after a centre clearance and a precise pass from Brendon Ah Chee.

He kicked another one in the term and then Naitanui produced a brilliant forward stoppage goal – something that has become a regular feature of his game.

Round 14
Metricon Stadium

Richmond                       1.1         5.2         11.2       14.4       88
West Coast Eagles           1.0         4.2           8.6       9.7        61

Goals – Richmond: Lynch 3; Martin 2; Balta Rioli, Nankervis, Bolton, Graham, Castagna, Soldo, Aarts, Riewoldt.
           West Coast Eagles: Darling, Ryan 3; Naitanui, Kelly, Cripps.

Best – Richmond: Houli, Castagna, Martin, Lynch, Cotchin   
          West Coast Eagles: Gaff, Kelly, Naitanui, Duggan, Cripps, Ryan.