Tributes flow for former coach Damien Hardwick during Richmond-Yartapuulti clash

Fans at the MCG paid tribute to former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick after his shock resignation during the week, thanking him for three iconic premierships.

Richmond fans have paid tribute to former coach Damien Hardwick after the three-time premiership winner resigned in a shock move earlier this week.

At the 17-minute mark of the first quarter of their clash against Port Adelaide, who adopted the indigenous name Yartapuulti for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the Richmond fans in attendance gave a round of applause to Hardwick to recognise his enormous contribution to the club.

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The number 17 was chosen in honour of the 2017 premiership which Hardwick oversaw, ending Richmond’s famous 37-year premiership drought.

However, it would not be a fairytale goodbye for the Tigers, going down by 10 points 10.17 (77) to 9.13 (67) at the MCG.

Yartapuulti continued their unlikely charge towards the top of the ladder after seeing off a spirited Richmond challenge to down the Tigers on Sunday to register eight consecutive wins for the first time since 2014 – a year in which they made it to a preliminary final – and make a mockery of club legend Warren Tredrea describing coach Ken Hinkley’s tenure as “untenable”.

Richmond fans paid tribute to Damien Hardwick. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

The result meant Richmond couldn’t make a successful start to their post-Damien Hardwick era, five days after the triple premiership coach announced his immediate resignation.

When Yartapuulti kicked five consecutive goals to open up a 26-point lead early in the second quarter, it looked like the Power were headed for a massive win.

But Richmond responded admirably by getting their running/transition game going and on the back of a sharp spike in handballs, they cut the deficit to just two points early in the final quarter.

The Tigers ramped up their pressure markedly, too, as the Power suffered badly from the yips, scoring 3.14 from their next 17 shots after kicking their fifth goal in the opening term.

But a pair of majors from Ollie Lord and Jeremy Finlayson in the last quarter steadied the ship as Port’s lead extended to 17 points, thanks largely to their midfield’s clearance domination in the final term.

Despite the result, Richmond recruit Tim Taranto played the game of his career, racking up 33 disposals (12 contested), seven clearances and four goals to be the best player on the ground.

Jason Horne-Francis continued to be booed at the MCG. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

For the winners, Zak Butters continued his rich vein of form by accumulating 32 touches (14 contested) and a goal, while Kane Farrell, Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis also ensured a strong performance from Yartapuulti‘s midfield, as they comfortably won the clearances 37-29, inside 50s 67-45 and scoring shots 27-20.

Down back, Aliir Aliir was magnificent for the visitors as well, rendering Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt ineffectual, while repelling numerous Tigers forward forays.

ALIIR STANDS TALL

Early in the final term with Richmond trailing by just two points, the Tigers threatened to grab the lead when Jack Ross kicked the ball forward.

Aliir was there to save the day for Port, taking the mark sandwiched between Jack Graham and Riewoldt.

From the ensuing transition, Lord converted the set shot to put the Power up by eight points, when they so easily could have found themselves four points down moments earlier.

MCKENZIE TO THE RESCUE

And with 3:15 left in the game, Taranto looked like he kicked another goal to get his team back within 11 points.

However, a lunging dive from Trent McKenzie on the goal line ensured the ball was touched and spared the Power from contending with a nervous finish.

Damien Hardwick posted on Twitter ahead of the game, showing how relaxed he was for the first time in years. Picture: Twitter

WASTEFUL TIGERS

The Tigers started the second term stronger but for all their domination, wasted numerous shots at goal, kicking a horrible 2.7 to trail by 11 points at halftime when they probably should have been in front.

Although, the Power had their fair share of chances too, managing just five behinds for the quarter.

The worst of Richmond’s misses was a straightforward set shot from Riewoldt from 25m out directly in front which he sprayed to the right.

TARANTO’S SUPERB SNAPS

After Richmond started the second term with just one goal from their first seven scoring shots, they desperately needed a goal to get reward for all their hard work, and Taranto was the man who delivered.

Just before time on, the former Giant grabbed the ball and produced a brilliant snap from the pocket on a very sharp angle to get the Tigers within 11 points.

And when Richmond needed another goal desperately in the third term after slumping to 4.12, it was Taranto again who produced the goods, snapping magnificently from 40m out on the boundary to get his team back within 10 points.

– with NCA NewsWire