Geelong v Richmond player ratings: Dusty best, Motlop worst on ground

THE old firm Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin dominated for Richmond, but it was a high-priced recruit who helped tip them over the edge, as a speedy Cat struggled.

Richmond’s Dion Prestia played a big hand in the Tigers’ win over Geelong. Picture: Michael Klein

THE old firm Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin dominated for Richmond, but it was a high-priced recruit who helped tip them over the edge, as a speedy Cat struggled.

RUSSELL GOULD RATES THE BEST AND WORST PLAYERS FROM THE GEELONG V RICHMOND QUALIFYING FINAL AT THE MCG

Richmond’s Dion Prestia played a big hand in the Tigers’ win over Geelong. Picture: Michael Klein

BEST PLAYERS

1. Dustin Martin (RICH) was the classiest, cleanest player on a night when polish proved the difference. His decision making was on point, his speed and power hard to handle and his capacity to come out on top in so many one-on-one contests was evidence of his brilliance. He delivered massive when it mattered.

2. Dion Prestia (RICH) did an early job on Joel Selwood then turned on his own final to remember with a team high disposal count but better than that important contested possessions, clearances and tackles too on a night when the tough stuff counted.

3. Trent Cotchin (RICH) carried so many finals nightmares in to the match he could have been scared silly. Instead he just did what he’s done all year and got the job done with a steely determination. Consider all past September wrongs righted, finishing with a classic finals goal too.

4. Nick Vlaustin (RICH) was so unassuming in his work he may fail to make a few best-on lists. But if he was beaten in a contest I didn’t see it and ditto if he made a bad decision. May have been loose for a bit of the first half but never got passed when he was and delivered a ripper for his team.

5. Alex Rance (RICH) was always going to bounce back from his towelling just a few weeks ago, it was the nightmare Cats coach Chris Scott couldn’t avoid. The bets defender in the comp stopped everything that came his way and proved the big time is his domain.

6. Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) gets a nod just ahead of plenty of other Tigers for showing the sort of want and desire so many of his teammates left at home. His kicking was way off but he threw himself at so many contests his weary legs had nothing left. His mark running back with the ball in the third term was the mark of an out and out star.

MATCH REPORT: ALL ABOARD THE TIGER TRAIN

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Steven Motlop failed to produce on the big stage. Picture: Getty Images

WORST PLAYERS

1. Steven Motlop (Geel) tore the Tigers apart last time they met in what loomed as a return to form. But yet again he proved a tease with touches yes but turnovers galore and is far too experienced to not produce when he needs to.

2. Harry Taylor (Geel) like Motlop made Tiger Alex Rance look silly last time out but failed to seize far too many moments when he was supposed to be the man. Lost when the ball hit the ground which it did every time it came near him.

3. Tom Stewart (Geel) was plying his first final so gets a lot of leeway, but the normally sure handed defended made blue after blue with the ball in an effort unlike any others he produced during the season.

4. Jordan Murdoch (Geel) spent so much time with his hands on his knees sucking in big breaths he couldn’t muster the energy to find the footy. He’s supposed to be a runner but was way too flat-footed on a night many of his teammates were the same.

5. Marc Blicavs (Geel) ran and ran and even rucked a bit too but loped around a bit too much too far from where the ball was. His late season return from a long lay-off may have come home to roost.

6. Brendan Parfitt and James Parsons (Geel) provided little forward pressure, were second to the footy time and again, and Parfitt found his way to miss a short kick to Parsons when the game was hot and the turnover resulted in a Richmond goal.

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