HOLD the door on the AFL’s top four train.
Not only does Richmond want to be part of the finals action, they want to make a play for a double chance after crushing Hawthorn by 41 points in the wet at the MCG today.
The Tigers took command after half time, piling on 10 goals to three on a Hawks team that appeared disinterested and lacking commitment at certain stages.
Hawthorn started the better, booting two of the opening three goals of the game through Lance Franklin and Jordan Lewis, and had four of the first five scoring shots.
For the rest of the quarter, the top-of-the-table Hawks had play dictated to them, smashed in the clearances, soundly beaten in contested possession and down in the one percenters.
The desire of the Tigers to stamp themselves on the contest was evident as Trent Cotchin, Reece Conca and Nathan Foley turned it into one-way traffic in the middle.
It would lead to five consecutive Tigers goals from the 10 minute mark till time-on, before Paul Puopolo got one against the run of play.
The Tigers led by three goals at the first change, but that would be cut to two in a matter of minutes when Isaac Smith gave the Hawks the perfect start to the term running in an open goal.
Smith’s influence would be telling in the quarter, one of the first Hawks to break off the leash and generate meaningful go forward with his speed and penetrating left foot.
Despite the Tigers ability to get the lion’s share of inside 50s, the Hawks would be the only side to score majors the quarter. Three in total after Shaun Burgoyne split the middle and Brent Guerra goaled in his 250th game.
Franklin, well held by TIgers full back Alex Rance for most of the first half, had a chance to extend the Hawks after the siren, but sprayed his kick and left the Hawks just two points up at the main break.
Jonathan Ceglar broke a scrappy opening to the third term with his first goal in the AFL to give the Hawks a seven-point lead with the rain impending.
Not unlike the first quarter, the Tigers regained control and this time they were not going to let up. The boys in yellow and black piled on four unanswered goals to round out the third quarter 18 points ahead.
They had winners across all lines, but youngster Nick Vlaustin was the main spark across half back, offering eye catching dash, hardness in and around the contest and nifty foot disposal. Dustin Martin is almost the barometer of the Tigers and, once his impact grew, so did the Tigers lead.
Martin’s long range goal from outside 50 off one step would have a dispiriting influence on the Hawks just before the three quarter time break.
The last quarter was a procession with the Tigers banging on six goals to two.
There were some pearlers, too, with Riewoldt, Shane Edwards and Daniel Jackson all putting in nominations for goal of the round.
The Tigers have moved to within a game of the top four, though Essendon has a game in hand against Collingwood tomorrow.
Their run home is reason for optimism with games against Brisbane LIons (MCG), Carlton (MCG), GWS Giants (Skoda Stadium) and Essendon (MCG) to come. If the form line sticks, the Tigers could well be playing off with the Bombers in the last round for fourth spot.
The Hawks kept their buffer at the top of the ladder, benefiting from second-placed Geelong losing to North Melbourne on Friday night. They will feature in the Friday night game next round against St Kilda.
Full time: Hawthorn 9.12 (66) lt Richmond 16.11 (107).
