Toby Greene’s strike on Alex Rance changed momentum as Richmond turned up heat on GWS
GWS looked like million-dollar babies until Toby Greene couldn’t resist punching Alex Rance. JON RALPH says after that, it was the Tigers who got down and dirty. WATCH THE INCIDENT
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TOBY Greene has become the AFL’s sniper-in-chief.
His crazy, irresponsible punch on Alex Rance’s chin symbolised everything bad about a Giants side which has suddenly gone into free fall.
‘CRAZY STUFF’: GREEN IN HOT WATER AGAIN
ALEX RANCE: THE BUSIEST PLAYER IN THE AFL
For 20 minutes in cold but perfect conditions the Giants freewheeled across the MCG, looking like the million-dollar babies they are.
Then came Toby Greene’s punch. The man already involved in five incidents this year tried to play the tough guy after Rance’s angry reaction to a Steve Johnson bump.
Rance had already bowled over Johnson, who had the free kick in range with the Tigers seemingly at the mercy of the Giants.
Of course, Greene couldn’t resist.
Not a man who this year who has headbutted Isaac Heeney, been fined for contact to Sam Wright’s face, punched Caleb Daniel and Dan Houston.
He punched Rance in a crazy act that will see him miss two matches, had the shot at goal reversed, and minutes later the rain tumbled down.
To suggest the Giants simply turned up their toes does disrespect to players like Callan Ward, Phil Davis and Zac Williams, who never stopped trying.
But while Greene went missing after that incident 20 minutes into the first term, the Tigers used the tumbling rain as a sign to get down and dirty.
After failing to score in the first term amid a 20-point, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin went to work.
After seven first-term possessions between them, they poured on 22 second-term possessions in an MCG masterclass.
Paul Roos might have started a cross-state war when he said the Giants’ talent wins them games over system.
Yet he is right in that as soon as the Giants’ run-and-gun game is shut down, they aren’t sure what to do next.
The Giants haven’t won in Melbourne this year, are 1-10 at the MCG over their history, and have a single win in six matches.
Their best is probably better than any other team in the competition, yet their worst is glaringly bad.
As the frustration built Jon Patton verbally sprayed seventh-gamer Harry Perryman for an errant kick that had shades of Matthew Richardson’s exploits.
Hardwick will be thrilled his side could respond after such an insipid first term, the tackling pressure thereafter exceptional.
But as always there were heroes, and they came from the leaders in Martin, Cotchin and defensive stalwart Rance.
Martin’s second quarter was immense.
He ripped the ball from centre bounces, marked one-on-one to goal from point blank and set up goals by the handful.
His intercept from a Shane Mumford inboard pass to start the third quarter set up the Tigers’ fifth goal in a row.
To win the Brownlow this year you might need 30-plus votes given his season, with the only danger Cotchin stealing votes along the way.
Cotchin just kept lifting, while Nick Vlaustin was made for this type of day and Brandon Ellis continued his excellent year.
Ward was mighty and his co-captain Davis put Jack Riewoldt to the sword in the first quarter, rebounding with eight possessions as the Tigers spearhead failed to touch the Sherrin.
But with only a resting ruckman as the other target Riewoldt responded and would have had three goals if not for a questionable goal overrule late.
As Leon Cameron said, the Greene incident didn’t cost his side the match but it sure didn’t help.
Right now his side picks and chooses, with the miracle that somehow they are still in third spot on the AFL ladder.
RICHMOND 0.2 4.6 8.8 9.10 (64) def GWS 3.4 3.5 4.5 6.9 (45)
Goals: Richmond: J Riewoldt 2 D Martin D Rioli J Caddy J Castagna K Lambert K McIntosh T Nankervis.
GWS: C Ward J Kelly J Patton L Whitfield N Haynes T Greene.
Umpires: Jacob Mollison, Brett Rosebury, Andrew Mitchell.
Official Crowd: 33,467 at MCG.
Originally published as Toby Greene’s strike on Alex Rance changed momentum as Richmond turned up heat on GWS
Fireside chat: Smith, Dillon meet after “nose beers” controversy
Bailey Smith will be fit to take on Essendon next week as Andrew Dillon reminded him of his responsibilities as a role model at a private Surf Coast fireside chat after some recent controversy.
The call that led to Geelong’s latest recruiting coup
Jack Martin slotted in seamlessly for Geelong on debut against his first old side, and it was an early meeting that set a seven-month plan towards another recruiting coup.