Jack Riewoldt on track for Coleman Medal as Richmond holds on to beat Western Bulldogs

FOR three quarters, Richmond played like a side with bigger things on its mind, but in the end the Tigers extended their MCG winning streak and Jack Riewoldt tightened his grip on the Coleman Medal.

Josh Dunkley celebrates one of two goals in a matter of minutes as David Astbury looks on. Picture: Getty Images

THERE’S not much point busting your backside when there’s nothing really at stake.

Richmond were minor premiers before Saturday’s final clash with the Western Bulldogs even began, and with bigger fish to fry and all that, a bit of self-preservation was always a possibility.

Tiger midfielder Shane Edwards said there was nothing deliberate about his team’s performance, which lacked the unrelenting zeal that carried Richmond to the top of the table.

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It’s absence was telling in the final three-point margin too, a close win against an opponent full of steam.

But it was indeed a win, an 18th one, as reigning premiers, and as Edwards said, was another chance to see another opponent come at them with something different.

The Tigers weren’t thinking about what’s to come, hope and glory.

Jack Riewoldt celebrates one of his five goals. Picture: Getty Images

Marcus Bontempelli misses a crucial shot in the final quarter.

But all 117 minutes and 13 seconds of the final round performance will impact what they do when the next challenge, a first final, as the hunted team arrives in two week’s time.

“We did just approach it just like any other week, and we have lot of improvement, so it was about fine-tuning those things. We certainly didn’t hold back anything. We tried to play how we play,” Edwards said.

“We don’t want to waste a week of not trying to improve. We have to fine-tune, plus add things for the finals. You never know what team’s are going to throw at you. It was a good look seeing what the Bulldogs do. It was exciting, and a fun challenge.

“Credit to the Bulldogs, we couldn’t get it out of our defence late in the game. We got lucky, they missed a few shots.

“We wanted to make sure we got how we play right. If we win, great, if we lose playing out way, we lose.”

The uncontested nature of the game in the first quarter especially was very un-Richmond. The Tigers only laid eight tackles, the Dogs took 31 uncontested marks, Jack Macrae was on his way to 43 touches.

Dustin Martin shrugs off Aaron Naughton. Picture: Michael Klein

Trent Cotchin and Damien Hardwick chat at three-quarter time.

It wasn’t lost on Hardwick, who had a sense maybe his troops had their minds elsewhere.

“He told us to stop being lazy with their shot kicks. We had to have our hands in their pockets,” Edwards said of a fiery wake-up call from the coach at quarter-time.

“They had a plan to keep the ball off us. Not taking ground, just making us defend. Some teams play like that. It’s hard, but good to confront that before the finals.”

It was all about fine-tuning and in an ominous sign, the Tiger who turned his game up the most was Dustin Martin.

The Brownlow Medallist has set the bar so high, Edwards said he was never going to hit his level every week.

But he did Saturday.

Daniel Rioli stops Jordan Roughead in his tracks. Picture: Michael Klein

Josh Dunkley celebrates a goal. Picture: Michael Klein

Martin had season highs in disposals (33) and score involvements (12), was light on his feet and full of intent his teammates eventually matched.

“To think Dusty can maintain his high standards all year is pretty unrealistic,” Edwards said.

“It’s great to have him in form, and to carry that in to the finals.”

Hardwick said his superstar on-baller can go to another level in September.

But the coach also knows his whole team will have to follow Martin’s lead when the games that matter begins again.

RICHMOND 5.1 7.7 12.8 15.8 (98)

WESTERN BULLDOGS 6.0 8.3 11.6 14.11 (95)

GOALS

Tigers: Riewoldt 5, Graham 3, Castagna 2, Rioli, Martin, Caddy, Nankervis, McIntosh

Bulldogs: Gowers 3, Dunkley 2, Lynch 2, Schache, Greene, Trengove, Macrae, Richards, Williams, Wallis

BEST

Tigers: Martin, Prestia, Riewoldt, Castagna, Graham, Houli

Bulldogs: Macrae, Hunter, Dunkley, Gowers, Johannisen

INJURIES

Tigers: Nil

Bulldogs: Patrick Lipinski (concussion)

VOTES

3. Dustin Martin (Rich)

2. Jack Macrae (WB)

1. Lachie Hunter (WB)

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Originally published as Jack Riewoldt on track for Coleman Medal as Richmond holds on to beat Western Bulldogs