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AFL Grand Final 2019: Richmond Tigers vs GWS Giants
Richmond has inflicted an historic defeat on GWS that's smashed a number of footy records - none of them were as painful as one star's repeat nightmare.
Richmond are premiers for the second time in three years after outclassing GWS in the biggest game of the season.
The Tigers left GWS shell-shocked after a historic first half "pounding" that's set 59-year records.
The Tigers led by 35-points at the main break and went on to put the AFL's youngest club to the sword.
GWS was restricted to just 25-points, the second lowest grand final score in the last 92 years.
It was also the third biggest winning margin in grand final history.
GWS' measly 1.6 (12) half time score was also the equal lowest score the grand final has seen since 1960.
The Giants' 12-point half equalled Fremantle's hammering at the hands of Hawthorn in the 2013 decider for the most miserable half-time scoreline a team has produced.
Incredibly, Fremantle's Matt de Boer was in both teams.
The 2013 Dockers and 2019 Giants are only bested by Collingwoods' 1.0 (6) half time score against Melbourne in 1960 as the lowest half time score in a grand final since World War 2.
The Tigers ended up doing it easy in the end - 17.12 (114) to 3.7 (25) - breaking the hearts of the Giants, who failed to fire a shot after riding such a wave of emotion through the finals series.
But the day didn't belong to the Giants and their tears. It belonged to the Tigers and their tears of joy.
The Tigers confirmed their new dynasty, crushing GWS by 89 points in the most-lopsided AFL grand final in 12 years.
It is Richmond’s 12th flag, drawing them level with Melbourne in equal-fifth place.
It is the biggest grand final thrashing since Geelong’s record 119-point win in 2007 over Port Adelaide.
Dustin Martin shone with four goals and won his second Norm Smith Medal as best afield.
Marlion Pickett, the story of the past two days since his debut was announced, also starred on the game’s biggest stage.
The 27-year-old father of four, who did jail time as a teenager and was recruited four months ago, impressed as he became only the sixth player in AFL history to debut in a grand final.
Saturday’s win was Richmond’s 12th in a row for the season and capped their resounding finish to the campaign.
It has been a year full of adversity, with star defender Alex Rance missing since round one because of a knee reconstruction and several other injuries to key players.
After teetering at the mid-season bye on a 7-6 record, Richmond have not missed a beat since.
By contrast, two bruising finals wins over Brisbane and Collingwood took their toll on GWS and Saturday was a bridge too far.
The Giants’ first grand final was in trouble even before the game started in front of 100,014 fans.
Co-captain Phil Davis was put through a fitness test an hour before the first bounce because of his sore calf.
GWS took the punt on playing him and it backfired horribly, with the key defender clearly proppy after he was hurt in last week’s nailbiting preliminary- final win over Collingwood.
Davis’ opponent Jack Riewoldt repeatedly had the jump on him leading for the ball and kicked five goals.
Controversial star Toby Greene also had a dirty day in his return from suspension and had minimal influence.
Here's how the Tigers' historic thumping played out.
Originally published as AFL Grand Final 2019: Richmond Tigers vs GWS Giants