VFL Finals: Toby Nankervis’ late goal lifts Richmond over Essendon
Richmond says Toby Nankervis will likely earn a recall for the qualifying final, the ruckman playing the role of hero in the Tigers’ stunning VFL win. But what does that mean for Ivan Soldo? VFL RESULTS
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Toby Nankervis has almost certainly forced his way into Richmond’s qualifying final team to face Brisbane after a stunning VFL comeback at Punt Road.
Nankervis kicked the match-winning goal with a minute left to sink Essendon, having inspired the Tigers to a 40-point comeback after three-quarter time in a 15.10 (100) to 15.8 (98) win.
The ruckman finished with a team-high 22 disposals and 33 hit-outs despite playing only 70 per cent of the game on carefully-managed minutes.
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Tigers football manager Neil Balme said Nankervis was now likely to be recalled for Saturday night’s Gabba blockbuster in what would be just his second AFL game in nearly four months.
Balme even said Richmond was prepared to name both Nankervis and Ivan Soldo in the same side against the Lions.
BIG NANK GIVES RICHMOND THE LEAD!@RichmondVFL trailed by 40 points at one stage. #VFL pic.twitter.com/yjoKb5nyTt
— 7VFL (@7VFL) August 31, 2019
“My gut feel is that we might even play both,” Balme told the Herald Sun.
“He (Nankervis) kicked the goal, which probably helps too. We might think about playing him forward a bit maybe.
“But we haven’t thought it through completely.”
Noah Balta was slated to play VFL but couldn’t shake a corked thigh he suffered against the Lions in the AFL last week.
IT'S OVER!!!@RichmondVFL pull off one of the best comebacks in #VFL history 😱 pic.twitter.com/om81xEY3cs
— 7VFL (@7VFL) August 31, 2019
On a dramatic afternoon, Nankervis looked every bit the rusty returning ruckman at half-time before coming to life in the second half to lift the Tigers.
Now the Richmond medicos will hope his adductor problem doesn’t flare up again.
“We played him with a view to hoping he gets through and at least gives us the option of making some decisions over the next few weeks over who plays in the ruck,” Balme said.
“We set him up to not play the whole game and just to give him a run, but clearly at three-quarter time he thought, ‘I’m going to do something a bit more than that here’.
MARLION PICKETT WITH NO REGARD FOR HIS OWN SAFETY.
— 7VFL (@7VFL) August 31, 2019
ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘#VFL pic.twitter.com/ePGrJvxrKt
“Essendon were fantastic the first three quarters. They were that committed and hard at it, we just couldn’t get the footy.
“They knew they had to lift the rating and I guess ‘Nank’ looked at it and thought, ‘Why not me?’”
Marlion Pickett (21 disposals, two goals) was everywhere in the last term and showed flashes of brilliance throughout, none more so than when he was collected after running back with the flight to take a breathtaking mark in the third quarter.
Dan Butler wound back the clock with four goals, while Mabior Chol and Callum Coleman-Jones made solid contributions.
Essendon’s AFL-listed players David Myers and Mark Baguley kept their hands up for what would be unlikely senior recalls with eye-catching displays.
Myers had 36 possessions and Baguley kicked two goals in a lively forward role, but Aaron Heppell was the Bombers’ best.
The younger brother of Essendon captain Dyson kicked four goals from 26 disposals while laying nine tackles.
YOUNG CAT IMPRESSES AS CATS’ VFL SEASON ENDS
It was the school of hard knocks for Geelong’s youngsters in the VFL.
Young flyer Jordan Clark is likely to be sidelined after re-injuring his left elbow and sitting out the last quarter.
The 18-year-old, who finished equal fifth in the Rising Star, spent most of the first quarter off the ground before playing at full forward in the third term.
Clearly hampered, Clark kicked one goal but couldn’t swing the arm when he was running, and looked to be in pain after he was tackled.
“We probably had too many guys under injury clouds,” Geelong VFL coach Shane O’Bree said.
“We played him forward because he’s quick and if we got it to there he’d score goals, which he did, one.
“We just couldn’t get it down there enough when he was there.”
O’Bree said Clark wasn’t right to keep playing the last quarter so he sat it out.
Zach Guthrie (ankle), Nathan Kreuger (shoulder) and Jacob Kennerley (leg) also came from the ground for Geelong, but all three players finished what was a hot contest.
O’Bree said Sam Simpson had impressed enough to be considered for selection next week, while Charlie Constable found the ball at will.
“I thought he (Simpson) was really good all game,” O’Bree said.
“I thought his ability around the contest to take them on and execute under pressure was pretty good.
“Obviously Constable had a fair bit of it (35 touches) as well.”
Sam Menegola finished with 27 disposals and nine tackles and was one of the Cats’ best.
“He’s always there ready to go (if the AFL team needs him),” O’Bree said.
“All those older guys who have played AFL this year played their role today and look fit and raring to go.”
Port Melbourne dominated the game and if not for early inaccuracy could have put the game to bed much earlier than they did.
Eli Templeton was the Borough’s best, finding the ball 25 times and kicking two goals.
Geelong’s VFL season is now over following the 12.15 (87) to 7.5 (47) loss.
WILLIAMSTOWN DOWN VFL BULLDOGS
Williamstown booked its 10th straight preliminary final spot with a gritty win over the red-hot Footscray.
The Seagulls made the most of a strong breeze, coming from 28 points down at quarter time to win a see-sawing affair by 13 points.
Bailey Williams, who has played nine AFL games this season - his most recent in round 17 - was the leading ball-winner for Footscray with 23.
Utility Billy Gowers was probably the Dogs’ best, collecting 22 touches and kicking two goals.
Jackson Trengove, who was dropped for the Dogs’ round 23 AFL game after playing 16 games straight, put his hand up for a finals recall.
The versatile 28-year-old spent time in the ruck, found plenty of ball (20 touches) around the ground and popped up to kick a goal.
Williamstown won the game 11.11 (77) to 9.10 (64).
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