As it happened: Tigers down Freo in Perth, Hawks stun Lions, Walker kicks 10 as Crows crush Eagles

We headed into the day not expecting too much, but finished up witnessing two of the best games of the year.

Firstly, Hawthorn produced one of the biggest upsets of 2023 when they defeated premiership contenders Brisbane by 25 points at the MCG, then tonight Richmond ground out a gutsy 15-point victory on the road against Fremantle.

The Lions’ loss to the Hawks could be costly and it certainly loosens their grip on their top-four spot in the short-term.

Meanwhile, the Hawks have emphatically dispelled any suggestions that they are tanking, having now won three of their last four games, including the scalps of finals aspirants St Kilda and Brisbane.

And the Tigers are now just six points outside the top eight as Fremantle missed a huge chance to re-enter the top eight.

In the day’s other game, Taylor Walker kicked a career-high 10 goals in his 250th game as the Crows registered a record 122-point win over the insipid Eagles.

The percentage-boosting result could see Adelaide finish the round in sixth spot on the ladder.

Where to from here for West Coast? They have now lost three of their last seven games by over 100 points. They are as bad as, if not worse than, Fitzroy in their dying days. This is truly the darkest chapter in their history.

Thank you for following along today, be sure to tune in next week when we do it all again for the Round 14 action.

The Richmond belt it out loud and proud after their gutsy win over Freo in Perth.

Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin spoke to Channel Seven after the game...

Q: Nick, there was quite a lot going on in that final term. Freo were coming really hard at you and you managed to hold up.
A: It was. Nat Fyfe got in the middle and started doing his thing. We were under a pump a little down the back but it was good.

Q: You in particular, when the ball got really wet you seemed to have really sure hands in the wet. What is your secret? Is it these things around the wrist (tape)?
A: That’s to keep the sweat off. I got lucky. Backs, didn’t get much contact when I was going for them. Few went my way.

Q: Did you think the momentum was clearly with Freo at the end of that third term. What did the coach change?
A: In the third quarter I think we out-scored them. He said, ‘Stand up, Richmond game’. We had Liam Baker and Daniel Rioli in. Their milestone games. We wanted to get it done for them. We knew they would roll the dice but the boys stood up.

Richmond captain Toby Nankervis spoke to Channel Seven after the game...

Q: That was a pretty intense final term. How did you see it?
A: Unbelievable. They are a quality team. They have been playing such good football. Yes, so good to come away as a group. Really set ourselves up for this game. I’m so proud of the team effort. Like, the momentum in the game, so proud.

Q: Three games now under Andrew McQualter. A couple of wins. It is a good vibe around the place.
A: Yes, he has been awesome for us. He has brought the edge we know he would. He has been around for a long time. He has great belief in our system.

Q: And Shai Bolton, obviously a Perth boy. He is a bit shy, didn’t want to talk. Brilliant performance particularly in the second half when you are under the pump.
A: Superstar. What he does with the football is unbelievable. Just as impressive what he does with the football for the team structure. I love playing with him.

Q: You got stuck on the bench a little bit. Are you all good?
A: Copped a knock. Ice it up tonight. Will be ready to go next week.

Fremantle 1.3, 4.4, 8.9, 10.10 (70)
Richmond 4.3, 6.7, 11.10, 12.13 (85)

GOALS
Fremantle: Amiss 4, Walters 2, Sturt, Treacy, Brayshaw, Fyfe
Richmond: Short 3, Riewoldt 2, Taranto 2, Ross, Clarke, Mansell, Nankervis, Bolton

DISPOSALS
Fremantle: Serong 31, Brayshaw 29, Aish 26
Richmond: Taranto 35, Bolton 33, Cotchin 28, Prestia 27, Martin 27, Vlastuin 26

The Dockers looked like they were going to run over the top of Richmond in the final quarter.

After slipping 36 points down, Freo kicked six of the next seven goals to get back within seven points.

But after a tense hand wrestle in the final quarter, which saw no goals kicked for over 20 minutes at one stage, the match winner Bolton sealed the deal with the final goal of the game.

In the end, Richmond won the disposals 381-344, contested possessions 150-138, clearances 47-40, marks 81-74, inside 50s 58-54, scoring shots 25-20 and hitouts 62-40.

It could’ve been so much different for Freo who were on top in the territory battle for large parts of the game.

But their ball use going into attack left a lot to be desired, and it played right into the hands of Richmond’s brilliant backline.

Cox slews it off the side of the boot attempting to exit defensive 50 and it goes straight to Daniel Rioli.

With 20 seconds to go Rioli loads up from outside 50, it falls short but Bolton takes the huge pack mark on the behind line.

What a superstar Bolton is. With five seconds to go, Bolton converts the snap set shot from the sharp angle and that is game over.

Richmond lead by 15 points, 12.13.85 to 10.10.70, and that is a very good win on the road.

Richmond’s backline has been tremendous. They have repelled so many Fremantle forward thrusts, especially in the final quarter.

With 1:15 to go, Richmond still lead by nine points.

Bolton picks Fyfe’s pocket, and slaps the ball back into Richmond’s forward 50 for another throw-in.

With 2:36 to go, it’s the Tigers by nine points again.

Bolton has been huge with 13 of his 32 touches coming in the final quarter.

Daniel Rioli strips Clark of the ball and there’ll be a throw-in on the Tigers’ half-forward flank with 3:20 to go. It’s Richmond by nine points still.

It’s been 21 minutes since the last goal.

Frederick runs along the boundary line but from 40m out under pressure his shot on goal goes out of bounds on the full.

With 3:57 to go, Richmond still lead by nine points.