Trent Cotchin helps Richmond scrape past Hawthorn in JLT Series clash in Launceston
Richmond ended its pre-season campaign on a high, roaring home on the back of Trent Cotchin to beat Hawthorn in their JLT Series clash in Launceston — but both sides might have a worry ahead of Round 1.
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A two-pronged “Jack Attack” boosted Richmond to a come-from-behind win over Hawthorn in an eight-point JLT thriller in Launceston last night but both sides are in danger of losing players for round one — Hawk Liam Shiels for striking and Tiger Nick Vlastuin with a jarred knee.
Jack Higgins and Jack Riewoldt kicked six goals between them to help dig the Tigers out of a huge hole at half-time and claim the round two contest.
The Tigers kicked 12 of the last 15 goals to come from 40 points down at the long break to take a 14.11 (95) to 13.9 (87) win.
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The Hawks face a nervous wait with Shiels to come under video scrutiny for his fist to the chest of Richmond midfielder Jack Graham late in the third term in a tussle over the ball after Jack Riewoldt was awarded a mark on the wing.
Liam Shiels and Jack Graham were involved in an incident in the third quarter. #JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/ZEwcfzsbOu
— AFL (@AFL) March 9, 2019
The incident resulted in two 50m penalties and a goal to Riewoldt.
“We were more concerned with the 100m penalty that cost us a goal, but we’ll see what happens,” Clarkson said.
Vlastuin is also in doubt after he injured his knee 14 minutes into the second and limped from the ground.
Even though he was off only a short time, Vlastuin came back on but had lost the sting from his ground coverage, was aggravated by the injury and did not reappear after half-time.
A cloud now hangs over the premiership defender ahead of the Tigers’ round one clash with Carlton at the MCG on March 21 but coach Damien Hardwick was positive post-match.
“Our doctors will take him through scans but our initial thoughts are he’ll be right for round one,” Hardwick said.
COMETH THE MOMENT, COMETH THE COTCH
After the Hawks cruised to a big lead at the main break Cotchin, speaking on Fox Footy, acknowledged his side had copped a bath in the opening two quarters — and intended on doing something about it.
The premiership skipper was among the main players to get things back on his side’s terms, winning the hard balls before finally putting his side in front with five minutes remaining.
From the ensuing centre break, the Tigers nabbed a prized clean getaway — even more valuable under the new 6-6-6 rules — and Jack Graham’s handball found the captain who with one of his 10 final-quarter touches drilled another from 50m.
TRENT COTCHIN IS ON FIRE!#JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/fOVv8oHCxd
— AFL (@AFL) March 9, 2019
The game had gone up a notch, and Cotchin’s goal all but sealed it.
NO MITCHELL ... BUT JAEGER IS BACK
Tom Mitchell might be missing, but Jaeger O’Meara might be ready to return to his peak.
With the Hawks missing their Brownlow Medallist in 2019, they’ll need a few to step up in the middle — and O’Meara is shaping among the key candidates.
The one-time Sun was terrific last year but the early signs are that, with his knee issues mostly in the rearview mirror, he can go to another level.
O’Meara had 21 touches and a goal in the first half (he finished with 35) to help set up a big lead at the first break, his display whetting brown and gold appetites for the year ahead.
TWO WEEKS TO LOSE THAT RUST
Alex Rance chipping to an unmarked opponent 30m out? Unheard of.
Jayden Short missing a target by 20m to gift a Hawks goal? Get over yourself.
No, that did happen as the Tigers’ kicking skills showed there’s plenty to work on before the season opener against Carlton.
Richmond wasn’t alone in committing some forgettable skill errors.
The Hawks also had a couple of notable clangers but one thing’s for certain: with the solid running sessions of pre-season now well behind them, both sides will use the next fortnight to iron out that rust.
Isaac Smith might want his time again...#JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/jqqgvFgoQM
— AFL (@AFL) March 9, 2019
ROUGHY STILL THE HAWKS MAIN MAN
He may have given up the captaincy title but don’t think Jarryd Roughead will be any less of a leader in 2019.
Some think the Hawks veteran might have slipped a peg from his career-best days but this year he’s still likely to drag away the opposition’s best tall defender.
Jack Gunston may not have been in Tassie but the fit-looking Roughead’s leading, marking and mostly pinpoint left boot (a final-term clanger aside) netted five goals and showed there looks plenty in the tank for the year ahead.
THE ‘DOUBLE 50’ REARS ITS (UGLY) HEAD — AGAIN
Footy fans, get ready to be outraged.
We’d already seen it during the pre-season but fans saw another 100m penalty (two 50s) when Jack Riewoldt received a 50 on the wing in the third term - courtesy of Liam Shiels’ tummy tap on Jack Graham.
With James Frawley intent on getting ahead of the Tiger to man the mark, Jack was on to it, alert to the rule and hit the brakes to allow Frawley to catch him — and get inside the allowed, protected area.
The umpire seized on the Hawk’s indiscretion and marched him another 50m to the goal line. Jack said thanks by booting one of his three third-term goals.
RICHMOND 14.11 (95)
HAWTHORN 13.9 (87)
Goals: Richmond: J Higgins 3 J Riewoldt 3 D Butler 2 M Weller 2 T Cotchin 2 N Balta T Nankervis
Hawthorn: J Roughead 5 I Smith J O’Meara J Scrimshaw J Worpel L BreustL Shiels R Henderson S Burgoyne
Best: Richmond: Cotchin, Higgins, Martin, Graham, Prestia
Hawthorn: O’Meara, Roughead, Shiels, Breust, Impey, Worpel
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Craig Fleer, Eleni Glouftsis, Alex Whetton.
Official Crowd: 6,982
Venue: University of Tasmania Stadium
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