Tyrone Vickery reported for striking Dean Cox as Brett Deledio, Dustin Martin lead Richmond to victory over West Coast

RICHMOND scores gutsy win in downpour but Tyrone Vickery faces lengthy ban for striking Eagles champ Dean Cox. SEE THE HIT AND HAVE YOUR SAY

AFL Round 18 - West Coast Eagles v Richmond Tigers, Patersons Stadium, Perth. Photo by Daniel Wilkins. PICTURED- Richmond's Dustin Martin celebrates a goal at the end of the second term.

RICHMOND forward Tyrone Vickery is facing a lengthy suspension after being reported for striking West Coast legend Dean Cox in the Tigers’ fiery 17-point victory at Patersons Stadium.

Richmond’s fourth consecutive win was overshadowed by the drama, as Vickery became the villain of Subiaco after vision was shown of his round-arm fist into Cox’s face late in the second quarter.

Cox, 32, announced during the week that he would retire at the end of the season.

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The six-time All-Australian ruckman lay motionless on the ground for an extended period before being helped off and was subbed out of the game.

Eagle Dean Cox is helped from the ground. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

The incident sparked a furious response from Cox’s teammates, with Eagles forward Mark LeCras having his guernsey shredded in a spirited melee.

Vickery received a vitriolic reception from West Coast supporters sitting near the Richmond dugout when he came to the bench.

Vickery’s stunning hit on Cox came before a boundary throw-in had arrived in the pair’s vicinity and appeared to be in retaliation to an elbow from Cox into his stomach moments before.

Eagle Luke Shuey dishes off a handball under pressure from Reece Conca. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

West Coast coach Adam Simpson appeared to be angry over the incident in a half-time interview on Channel 7.

“He’s not good so we had to sub him out,” Simpson said.

“He’s gone.”

North Melbourne legend Wayne Carey said the elbow from Cox was no excuse for Vickery’s actions and tipped a suspension of “three weeks plus’’.

What a disgrace!!!

— Tex Walker (@texwalker13) July 25, 2014

“That type of hit from Cox happens all the time and the ball is nowhere in the vicinity,” Carey said.

“That’s a round-arm punch to the jaw. Not a good look and he’s in a lot of trouble.”

REPORTED: Tiger goes in the book for roundhouse on Dean Cox

Vickery was booed throughout the rest of the game and was heckled by supporters at close range when he came to the bench in the third term.

He served a two-match ban for striking North Melbourne’s Michael Firrito in Round 12.

In torrential rain, Richmond held sway at the stoppages despite Nic Naitanui’s ruck dominance, with Nathan Foley and Anthony Miles excelling in the clinches.

Eagle Dean Cox in the hands of the trainers after knock to the head. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

The Tigers led by 11 points at the major break after kicking crucial set shot goals after both the quarter-time and half-time sirens.

When Trent Cotchin defied the conditions to soccer a stunning goal in the first minute of the third term, the visitors were in the box seat.

With Richmond holding a 16 point lead at the final change, Jack Darling’s second goal early in the last quarter gave the Eagles hope.

Jack Riewoldt kicked the Tigers’ only goal of the final term from a close-range free kick to ensure Richmond was safe.

Vickery had earlier kicked two vital goals in the space of five minutes in the opening quarter, with the 200cm forward defying the conditions to make an important contribution.

BEST

Richmond: Ellis, Miles, Martin, Foley, Deledio, Thomas.

West Coast: Priddis, Naitanui, Ellis, Hurn, Mackenzie, Shuey.

VOTES

3- B. Ellis

2- Miles

1- Priddis