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2019 AFL Grand Final: Richmond v GWS Giants, live coverage from the MCG

If this was a fight, the towel would have been thrown in at three-quarter time. There was no stopping the Tigers as they thumped GWS by 89 points.

Courtney WalshCourtney Walsh
26 min read
11:08AMSeptember 28, 2019.
Updated 1:18AMSeptember 29, 2019
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To the victors go the spoils ... Richmond players celebrate their 2019 AFL Grand Final victory over the GWS Giants. Picture: Michael Klein
To the victors go the spoils ... Richmond players celebrate their 2019 AFL Grand Final victory over the GWS Giants. Picture: Michael Klein

2019 AFL GRAND FINAL — RICHMOND 17.12 114 defeated GWS 3.7 25

Richmond have secured their reputation as a truly outstanding football team with a dominant 89-point victory over the Giants to claim their 12th AFL premiership.

Celebrations in Richmond’s Swan Street began soon afterwards (see John Ferguson’s report below).

In front of a crowd of 100,014, the Tigers were terrific throughout a grand final that became remarkably one-sided from quarter-time. Their 17.12 (114) to 3.7 (25) victory was the Tigers’ 13th win in succession.

From Tom Lynch at full-forward to Dylan Grimes at fullback, and from the remarkable debutant Marlion Pickett to the most-capped Tiger in Shane Edwards, there were brilliant performers all over the park for Richmond.

However, there was no bigger star than Dustin Martin, who won his second Norm Smith Medal with a four-goal 22 possession masterclass. He booted Richmond’s opening goal and was electrifying throughout, be it when playing on the ball or in attack

There had been great conjecture as to how he would fare when pitted against the Giants’ star stopper Matt de Boer. Although the match-up occured only when he went into the midfield, the 2017 Brownlow Medallist came out well and truly on top in a dynamic performance.

Triple-Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt turned the grand final on its head in the second term with three goals, eventually finishing with five for the match.

Bachar Houli was creative out of defence and Dion Prestia prolific in the midfield. Brownlow Medallist Trent Cotchin is now a two-time premiership captain.

Richmond players embrace after the final siren. Picture: Mark Stewart
Richmond players embrace after the final siren. Picture: Mark Stewart

Put forward a name of the premiership 22 and it is certain every single one had the better of their rival or, at the very least, a moment of brilliance to celebrate.

In winning their second premiership in three seasons, the Tigers have made good on the substantial talent on their list.

But it is also just reward for the diligence and expertise of an administration led by President Peggy O’Neal, chief executive Brendon Gale and senior coach Damien Hardwick.

The trio have rebuilt a club that was listing under a significant debt at the start of the decade back into the powerhouse of the competition, a giant boasting more than 100,000 members.

And it felt like every single one of those members — and hundreds of thousands more around Australia — were roaring as Pickett, whose journey from jail to a premiership medal will be forever fabled in AFL circles, booted a third term goal.

It is impossible to imagine there has been a more remarkable grand final story than that of Pickett.

The 27-year-old was jailed in his late teens for offences including aggravated burglary.

An older brother told him his talent could lead him out of trouble and allow him to make a life for himself.

Marlion Pickett was influential throughout. Picture: Getty Images
Marlion Pickett was influential throughout. Picture: Getty Images

While in prison he remained in contact with South Fremantle officials, pleading with them to give him another chance.

After sustained excellence for the Bulldogs in the WAFL, Richmond were able to select him in the first mid-season draft held in 26 years when 2017 premiership Tiger Shaun Grigg retired.

An outstanding performance in last week’s VFL premiership for Richmond’s reserves, where he was named best afield, earned him a shot at the big-time.

Pickett is just the sixth player in VFL/AFL history to debut in a grand final. And he did so in scintillating style.

His blind turn out of the middle early in the second term was indicative of his class. And the goal in the third quarter created a roar surely as loud as any heard at the MCG.

But there are great stories everywhere for the Tigers. Lynch confirmed himself a champion in his first year at Punt Rd.

Brandon Ellis was forced out of the team last year in the finals but trained harder than ever and won back his spot.

Spare a thought for Jack Graham, the Tiger who played so bravely last Friday despite carrying a dislocated shoulder to ensure Richmond eased past Geelong.

He could not play but his brave performance was vital to the Tigers reaching the decider. And Kamdyn McIntosh, Jack Ross and Sydney Stack were on the verge of selection and would have been worthy premiership Tigers.

Let the celebrations begin in Richmond. Picture: Getty Images
Let the celebrations begin in Richmond. Picture: Getty Images

The story for the Giants is stark in contrast.

After performing with brilliance and verve throughout September, their maiden grand final appearance proved a nightmare.

Playing in their first grand final, the Giants wore their predominant-white guernsey instead of the flare of orange that has been a feature.

But it was symbolic of what was to come as their vaunted pressure and hardness at the contest fell away after quarter-time. Unlike the Tigers, this was a toothless performance.

Dustin Martin celebrates one of his four goals. Picture: Michael Klein
Dustin Martin celebrates one of his four goals. Picture: Michael Klein

Had this been a fight, everyone bar Richmond fans would have been grateful for coach Leon Cameron to toss the white towel in early in the third term.

It was impossible to imagine that such a nightmare would unfold for the Giants when Jeremy Cameron kicked the opening goal of the match with an outstanding set shot 20 minutes in.

But the Tigers kicked 11 goals in succession from late in the first quarter through to Jacob Hopper snaring his side’s second goal at the 25-minute mark of the third term.

After an even opening, they were overwhelmed and lacked composure, failing to respond when the Tigers increased the pressure on them.

Their key forwards in Cameron, Harry Himmelberg and Jeremy Finlayson were scarcely sighted. But that is in part due to the dominance of Richmond further afield.

Toby Greene was booed throughout the match and had little impact, but he was scarcely alone.

Richmond’s Shane Edwards tackles Giant Toby Greene. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Richmond’s Shane Edwards tackles Giant Toby Greene. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It will be a sobering night and a difficult pre-season, but they have enough quality on their list, combined with emerging talent such as Hopper and Tim Taranto, to challenge again.

When it comes to an example to follow, there are none better than that of their rivals in Richmond, which finish the 2019 season deserving premiers.

John Ferguson 7.13pm: ‘See you in Swan Street’

When Richmond coach Damien Hardwick told 100,014 people at the MCG today the team was heading to nearby Swan Street, he started something of a trend.

More than 20,000 members of the Tiger army had swallowed Swan St soon after the game.

The supporters crawled along the food and entertainment strip between Punt Road — the club’s home base — and Church Street to the east.

Hotels were heaving, trams and traffic was stopped while police looked on, bewildered, as the AFL powerhouse marked its second premiership in three years and their 12th overall.

Richmond supporters, the Tiger army, descend on Swan Street after the grand final win. Picture: John Ferguson
Richmond supporters, the Tiger army, descend on Swan Street after the grand final win. Picture: John Ferguson

In his victory speech, Hardwick declared: “Finally, to the Tiger army, see you in Swan St.’’

There have been big celebrations in Melbourne after grand finals, but the Richmond win funnelled their supporters straight from the MCG, past the train station and into Swan Street.

The 2017 victory dance sparked concerns from police because of the effective takeover of Swan Street. In 2019 it’s been a surrender.

Tonight is looming as being as big, despite just a two-year gap between flags.

In 2017, there had been a 37-year break between premierships.

Richmond fans head to Swan St following AFL grand final

Daniel Sankey 5.03pm: GOAL! Riewoldt has 5

Just when you thought the Norm Smith Medal was a laydown misere, up steps Jack Riewoldt with his fifth goal of the match. They’ll surely be one-two in the count? We might see Marlion Pickett also prominent in the count. There’s just seconds left in the grand final and the Tiger party is about to begin.

RICHMOND 17.12 114 lead GWS 3.7 25

Daniel Sankey 5.02pm: GOAL! Dusty has 4

Four goals, 22 disposals … surely that’s the Norm Smith Medal for Dustin Martin? He’s had a brilliant match, highlighted by a dominant display in the second quarter — the period in which Richmond took control of the grand final. His fourth goal was typically brilliant Dusty,

RICHMOND 16.12 108 lead GWS 3.7 25

Daniel Sankey 4.59pm: GOAL! Captain Cotch fires

Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin takes his team past the 100-mark as takes a bounce through the middle and fires a low drop punt through the posts.

RICHMOND 15.12 102 lead GWS 3.7 25

Daniel Sankey 4.50pm: GOALS! Bolton, Riewoldt score

Richmond answer the GWS goal from Harry Himmelberg with a pair to Shai Bolton and Jack Riewoldt. With his fourth goal of the match, Riewoldt must now be right in the reckoning for the Norm Smith Medal, for which Dustin Martin, Tom Lynch and maybe even Marlion Pickett — who has 20 possessions and a goal so far today — also in the reckoning.

RICHMOND 14.11 95 lead GWS 3.7 25

Daniel Sankey 4.38pm: GOAL! Himmelberg gets his first

With 12 disposals and seven marks, GWS forward Harry Himmelberg has been a real trier for his team today — so his first goal of the day just after the start of the fourth quarter is well-deserved. Hopefully for the Giants’ sake they can earn some pride in what’s been a horror day all-round for the young club.

RICHMOND 12.9 81 lead GWS 3.7 25

Courtney Walsh 4.34pm: Third quarter wrap

Richmond will have the rare luxury of being able to celebrate a brilliant season without fear of failure in the final term of their grand final against the Giants.

The Tigers continued their romp towards glory at the MCG with a five goal to one third quarter to lead by 61 points at the final change.

The score is 12.9 (81) to the bitterly disappointing Giants 2.7 (19).

The momentum Richmond carried into half-time continued early in the third term when, after a couple of chances went begging, Tom Lynch led strongly and was able to kick his second for the decider.

When Dustin Martin snapped a remarkable goal from deep in the forward pocket, the Tiger snaring his third despite heavy pressure from Sam Taylor, their advantage was eight goals.

Then when debutant Marlion Pickett kicked the first goal of his AFL career at the 11-minute mark of the third term, the roar of the crowd was as loud as any to have been heard at the MCG.

And every single Tiger on the field charged towards him to celebrate his achievement.

The Giants were on the back foot already and rapidly became a rabble.

When the Giants had a rare opportunity to go into attack in the third term courtesy of a free-kick in the middle, Harry Himmelberg felled Dylan Grimes behind play and caused the turnover.

The Tigers swept the ball forward in the following package, with Kane Lambert snaring another goal.

It took Jacob Hopper, who had been flattened by Shane Edwards in the second quarter, to end a goal drought of more than two quarters for the Giants.

His effort to snap over his shoulder at the 25-minute mark of the third term ended a run of 11 straight goals for Richmond.

As the siren sounded to finish the third term, Richmond ruckman Ivan Soldo joined the goalkicking list to extend their lead beyond ten goals.

Daniel Sankey 4.29pm: GOAL! Soldo strikes on three-quarter time

Another GWS turnover from a poor kick gives Richmond wingman Josh Caddy the opportunity to find Ivan Soldo inside 50. The big ruckman marks and, as the three-quarter siren sounds, he nails a beautiful set shot from just inside 50m to take the Tigers’ lead to 62 points. The Channel 7 cameras cut to GWS coach Leon Cameron just after the Giants turned over the ball and his disgust was clearly evident … nothing has gone right for his team today, but they haven’t helped themselves with some terrible errors by foot and some poor decision making.

RICHMOND 12.9 81 lead GWS 2.7 19

Daniel Sankey 4.25pm: GOAL! Finally, GWS have a second

They kicked the first goal of the match, but it’s taken until almost the end of the third quarter for GWS to boot their second. It comes via Jacob Hopper, who snaps from 35m out after claiming the ball from a stoppage. We’ve got just over two minutes left in the third quarter and Richmond’s lead is cut to 56 points.

RICHMOND 11.9 75 lead GWS 2.7 19

Daniel Sankey 4.14pm: GOAL! GWS lead by 10 goals

Kane Lambert gets in on the act for the Tigers, kicking his first goal to extend Richmond’s lead to a whopping 10 goals. There looks no way back now for GWS, who are being completely dominated. We’re midway through the third quarter.

RICHMOND 11.6 72 lead GWS 1.6 12

Daniel Sankey 4.11pm: GOAL! Pickett’s first on debut

A brilliant moment for Tigers debutant Marlion Pickett, who kicks his first AFL goal thanks to an unselfish pass from Dustin Martin. Richmond fans go wild in the stands as Pickett’s Tigers teammates come from everywhere to congratulate the first-gamer. Unfortunately for GWS, this is turning into a procession.

RICHMOND 10.6 66 lead GWS 1.6 12

Daniel Sankey 4.08pm: GOAL! Dusty kicks his third

It’s all Richmond here at the MCG as Dustin Martin nabs a third goal of the match to increase the Tigers’ lead to 28. He got a great assist from Daniel Rioli, who gave a clever little handball just as the ball looked to be going out of bounds in the forward pocket, and Martin snapped truly with his right boot.

RICHMOND 9.6 60 lead GWS 1.6 12

Daniel Sankey 4.06pm: GOAL! Richmond strike first after half-time

It’s exactly what Giants fans didn’t want after half-time … they’ve conceded the first goal of the third quarter. Tom Lynch is the man for Richmond, marking on the lead right in front of the posts and he makes no mistake with the set shot from only 30m out.

RICHMOND 8.6 54 lead GWS 1.6 12

Daniel Sankey 3.50pm: King wins Grand Final Sprint

They may have finished with the wooden spoon, but the Gold Coast Suns are winners on Grand Final Day. Young forward Ben King — who stands a whopping 202cm — showed enormous toe for a big man to power home over the top of Melbourne’s Sam Frost to win the 2019 AFL Grand Final Sprint. Richmond’s Noah Balta, who — like King — made his AFL debut this season, claimed third place.

Courtney Walsh 3.40pm: Second quarter wrap — Richmond dominate

Richmond is in a dominant position to claim their second premiership in three seasons after a dominant second quarter against the Giants.

The Tigers booted five goals — with Jack Riewoldt kicking three — while holding the Giants to just four points to extend their lead to 35 points at half-time.

The score is 7.5 (47) to 1.6 (12), which is indicative of the gulf in class between the two rivals to date.

Once the game broke open, there was a stark difference in the composure of Richmond and the Giants.

The Tigers were largely assured, finding teammates with passes and snaring the opportunities that fell their way. They ran rampant through the middle of the ground as the defensive pressure from their rivals dipped sharply in comparison to the opening quarter.

The Giants in contrast erred frequently, with their errant ball use problematic across the field at a time their premiership hopes were slipping away.

Jack Riewoldt marks. Picture: Getty Images
Jack Riewoldt marks. Picture: Getty Images

Triple-Coleman medallist Riewoldt started a brilliant individual term when receiving a free kick after Davis bumped him out of a contest three minutes into the term.

When Marlion Pickett wheeled away from the midfield with a blind-turn and found the high-marking Jason Castagna in attack, his teammates Daniel Rioli and Josh Caddy charged towards him to congratulate him.

Pickett was again the pivotal player in a chain from the halfback flank that led to Martin snaring his second for the match after young Giant Sam Taylor lost his feet.

The Tigers wrested complete control when Daniel Rioli was able to pin Lynch on the lead, after Bachar Houli caused a turnover with a ferocious tackle, and the former Gold Coast skipper booted his first for the grand final.

Effectively, Richmond booted five goals in 12 minutes of football from late in the first term to break the grand final wide open.

Marlion Pickett (left) evades Toby Greene. Picture: Getty Images
Marlion Pickett (left) evades Toby Greene. Picture: Getty Images

And the debutant in Pickett was in the thick of the action. Just ten minutes into the second term he had ten disposals, second only to Dion Prestia for the Tigers.

Four of those disposals were win in contested fashion, four were categorised as score involvements and three of them carried the football into the Tigers’ forward line in a remarkable start.

Riewoldt added a second for the term to extend Richmond’s lead to 29 points in what was an extraordinary quarter by the Tigers.

And the champion forward capped the half with another long-range goal as the grand final threatened to turn into a nightmare for the Giants.

Daniel Sankey 3.32pm: GOAL! It’s another one for Jack

Take a bow, Jack Riewoldt! He has three goals for the game and this latest one might have been his best as takes a strong contested mark, outbodying GWS ruckman Shane Mumford, and then roosts one home from outside 50. The lead is now out to 35 points with just over a minute to go in the first half and GWS coach Leon Cameron has a lot of work to do in the break if he’s to find a way to get his team back into the game.

RICHMOND 7.5 41 lead GWS 1.6 12

Daniel Sankey 3.27pm: GOAL! Riewoldt kicks his second

An important goal for Richmond just four minutes before the half-time break as Jack Riewoldt marks inside 50 and kicks truly from 30m out on a 45 degree angle. The goal is a heartbreaker for GWS, who’d put plenty of pressure on the Tigers in the preceding few minutes but failed to goal, with Brent Daniels missing a very kickable set shot. Their only reward for that period was three behinds.

RICHMOND 6.5 41 lead GWS 1.6 12

Daniel Sankey 3.15pm: GOAL! Lynch steers it through

That’s now five straight goals for Richmond as Tom Lynch kicks truly from a difficult angle in the forward pocket. Just over 13 minutes remaining in the second quarter now and the Giants just can’t seem to find a way to seize control in the middle of the ground.

RICHMOND 5.5 35 lead GWS 1.3 9

Muscling up … Tigers forward Tom Lynch. Picture: Mark Stewart
Muscling up … Tigers forward Tom Lynch. Picture: Mark Stewart

Daniel Sankey 3.12pm: GOAL! Martin has his second

It’s now a 20-point lead for the Tigers, with Dustin Martin beating a defender inside 50 before dribbling one through the posts. GWS need to work out a way to stem the bleeding or this game could get away from them very quickly.

RICHMOND 4.5 29 lead GWS 1.3 9

Daniel Sankey 3.08pm: GOAL! Riewoldt kicks Tigers’ third

Things are looking ominous for the Giants early in the second quarter, with Jack Riewoldt kicking his first goal of the match to extend the Tigers’ lead to 13 points. The Tigers very nearly added another just seconds later as debutant Marlion Pickett did a 360 in the centre square to evade Giants defenders before finding Jason Castagna inside 50. He was unable to kick the goal, though.

RICHMOND 3.5 23 lead GWS 1.3 9

Courtney Walsh 3.03pm: First quarter wrap

Richmond have taken a seven-point lead into quarter-time after a highly physical and competitive opening in the grand final against the Giants at the MCG.

The score at the first change is Richmond 2.3 (15) to the Giants 1.1 (7).

It took 20 minutes for the first goal of the grand final to be kicked and it took a superstar to do it.

Jeremy Cameron celebrates after his goal. Picture: Getty Images
Jeremy Cameron celebrates after his goal. Picture: Getty Images

Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron was able to lead and mark strongly and then converted with a magnificent kick from nearly 60 metres out to give the Giants a five-point lead.

But the Tigers were able to rebound with Dustin Martin and Daniel Rioli kicking two goals in the final 90 seconds to give the 2017 premiers the early edge.

Daniel Rioli celebrates his late goal in the first quarter. Picture: Michael Klein
Daniel Rioli celebrates his late goal in the first quarter. Picture: Michael Klein

The late goals were a blow for the Giants after they settled in well to the frantic pace and pressure in their first grand final

In an extremely physical opening, the defensive pressure applied by both sides in the opening minutes was outstanding.

Rarely did the combatants have an opportunity to find a moment to think about what to do with the football, particularly in open play.

Martin had the first handball of the match, with star tagger Matt de Boer breathing down his neck.

Tom Lynch marked strongly early on in his first grand final and was lively throughout the quarter.

Giant Harrison Himmelberg took a strong mark for the Giants on the opposing wing.

Phil Davis received an early free kick and appeared in reasonable shape after undergoing an early fitness test.

Lachie Whitfield of the Giants flies high over Josh Caddy. Picture: AAP
Lachie Whitfield of the Giants flies high over Josh Caddy. Picture: AAP

Marlion Pickett was mugged when grabbing a handball on the half-forward flank but was able to find a teammate and did not look out of place in what is a fairytale debut. He later thumped the ball into attack in the final moments of the quarter.

Toby Greene — involved in a little niggle with Liam Baker (below) that might have the GWS star wondering whether he’s got another trip to the judiciary to think about — had the first set shot for goal to a chorus of boos as he marked on the 50-metre mark. His long-range shot at the 16-minute mark faded right late. But Cameron was able to convert from a similar angle, though further out, a few minutes later.

The Tigers have been brilliant for much of the year at scoring after a turnover and they made the Giants pay with 90 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Jack Riewoldt was able to wheel on to his left foot to thump the football forward, with Martin finding space on Heath Shaw to mark on his chest.

Marlion Pickett on the attack. Picture: AAP
Marlion Pickett on the attack. Picture: AAP

He was able to kick accurately from 30 metres out to reclaim the lead for Richmond. Rioli then did beautifully to kick a goal from nearly 50 minutes just prior to the siren.

Dion Prestia is the leading possession winner to date with 11 touches, which more than doubles any other Tiger.

Daniel Sankey 2.58pm: GOAL! Rioli roars on quarter-time

Daniel Rioli gets the Tigers fans roaring right on quarter time as he goals to put Richmond up by seven points at the first break.

QUARTER-TIME: RICHMOND 2.3 15 lead GWS 1.2 8

Daniel Sankey 2.55pm: GOAL! Dusty strikes back for Tigers

GWS’ lead lasts for only a couple of minutes as Dustin Martin marks inside 50, then runs around the corner to boot Richmond’s first goal of the game. The Tigers lead by a point with a minute left in the first quarter.

RICHMOND 1.3 9 lead GWS 1.2 8

Daniel Sankey 2.51pm: GOAL! Cameron puts GWS in front

Finally, we’re on the board! GWS forward Jeremy Cameron boots the first goal of the game — with just four minutes remaining in the quarter — with a booming effort from outside 50m after outmarking his opposite number Dylan Grimes.

GWS 1.2 8 lead RICHMOND 0.3 3

Daniel Sankey 2.47pm: Greene misses early chance

GWS forward Toby Greene has an opportunity to put his team in front with just over seven minutes remaining in the first quarter, but his kick from just inside 50m on a 45 degree angle misses to the right.

RICHMOND 0.3 3 lead GWS 0.2 2

Daniel Sankey 2.36pm: Play underway in Grand Final

The ball is bounced for the 2019 AFL Grand Final and Richmond ruckman Toby Nankervis gets the first hit out of the match, putting it straight onto the chest of 2017 Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin.

Richmond forward Tom Lynch takes a strong contested grab on the wing and from the kick, Jack Riewoldt claims a mark on the 50m arc but it’s not paid by the umpires. Richmond open the scoring with a rushed behind.

Both sides tackling ferociously in the early stages, with Lynch cpleading for a holding the ball decision after making a strong tackle inside 50m. It’s not paid and the Giants are able to clear after Martin has a holding the ball free kick paid against him.

Approaching the end of the first five minutes and Richmond lead 0.1 to 0.0.

Courtney Walsh 2.25pm: Davis on the ground

Giants skipper Phil Davis has joined his teammates on the ground for the grand final and will play amid doubts surrounding his fitness.

Davis was shown in the rooms 30 minutes before the grand final embracing Giants spearhead Jeremy Cameron while whispering into his ear.

He had previously undergone a fitness test on the MCG that finished 90 minutes prior to the opening bounce at 2.30pm.

Daniel Sankey 2.15pm: Countdown is on

Just 15 minutes until the bounce of the ball in the 2019 AFL Grand Final and both teams are out onto the MCG field.

Daniel Sankey 2.10pm: Brady best on ground?

And it wouldn’t be AFL Grand Final without Mike Brady and Up There Cazaly …

Daniel Sankey 1.55pm: AFL Grand Final entertainment

The AFL Grand Final pre-show is warming up the crowd at the MCG. John Williamson kicked things off with a rendition of Waltzing Matilda, before Frankston product Tones and I got spectators on their feet and dancing.

Tones and I performs before the 2019 AFL Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images
Tones and I performs before the 2019 AFL Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images

Singer Dean Lewis followed suit, with Paul Kelly the final act before the players make their way onto the ground.

Fittingly, Paul Kelly’s first song was his smash hit Leaps and Bounds — a tribute to life in Melbourne, which opens with the lyrics:

I’m high on the hill
Looking over the bridge
To the MCG

1.30pm: Giants stand tall in defence

GWS high-flyer Nick Haynes is convinced height equals might for a Giants side living up to that name heading into their first AFL grand final.

Although Richmond will field the three tallest players, they have just four over 194cm compared to the Giants’ eight. The discrepancy is even greater at the other end of the height scale. The Giants’ 170cm small forward Brent Daniels is their only player listed below 182cm, while Richmond have nine men who fall into that category.

Key defender Haynes argued that tall doesn’t necessarily mean slow. “I think the dynamic of tall players works so well,” Haynes said yesterday.

GWS defender Nick Haynes. Picture. Phil Hillyard
GWS defender Nick Haynes. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“In the backline we’ve got Sam Taylor and Aidan Corr, who have got lightning speed so they can play on smalls as well.

“The height can benefit and can sometimes hinder you as a team, but I think because a lot of our players are good on the ground and have a lot of speed, that nullifies being too tall.”

With a well grooved handball and short kicking game, Richmond are unlikely to fall into the same trap as some of the Giants’ earlier finals opponents, who consistently bombed high balls into their attacking 50, bringing strong intercept markers Haynes, Taylor and co-captain Phil Davis into play.

AAP

Courtney Walsh 1.08pm: Fears over Davis’ fitness

Giants skipper Phil Davis has been put through a last-minute fitness test on the MCG ahead of the grand final.

The club’s co-captain did a series of sprints from the goalsquare to the 50 metre arc.

He also worked off a Giants assistant coach in contested work and did a series of footwork drills to test his troublesome calf injury.

Davis has not trained throughout the week after injuring a finger, calf and shoulder during last Saturday’s preliminary final over Collingwood.

He did not appear entirely free in his movement but nor did he pause to grab for his leg before exiting the ground shortly after 1pm.

Daniel Sankey 1pm: Pickett presented with guernsey

A nice moment ahead of today’s AFL Grand Final, with the retired Shaun Grigg presenting debutant Marlion Pickett with his guernsey. A premiership winner in 2017, Grigg struggled with injury this year, eventually offering to retire mid-season so that Richmond could take a player in the mid-season draft. That player turned out to be Pickett, who turned his life around after spending more than a year in jail.

Pickett was best on ground in Richmond’s VFL premiership victory last weekend and will today become the first player since Collingwood’s Keith Batchelor in 1952 to make their VFL/AFL debut in a grand final.

Daniel Sankey 12.45pm: Greene ‘born for big stage’

With the AFL Grand Final less than two hours away, GWS stars Heath Shaw, Shane Mumford and Callan Ward have shared their insights into what makes Toby Greene such an important part of their club.

In a grand final promo for the Seven Network, defender Shaw said Greene — who missed last week’s preliminary final victory over Collingwood through suspension — was as passionate a footballer as he’d seen in his career.

Toby Greene shares a moment with teammates Daniel Lloyd and Brent Daniels at GWS training. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Toby Greene shares a moment with teammates Daniel Lloyd and Brent Daniels at GWS training. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“One thing about Toby — he’ll never stop trying, and another thing about Toby is you want him standing next to you on your team, because you know he’s going to give it his all,” Shaw said.

“I think he was born to play on the big stage. I flew down with him last week when he was going to the tribunal, and I said ‘good luck mate, I hope you get off’. He just said ‘even if I don’t, we’re going to a granny (Grand Final) anyway. I just said ‘I’ll hold that spot for you’. He’ll get his moment in the sun this week and he’ll thrive on it. I have no doubt he’ll play well.”

Giants ruckman Mumford said Greene was a player who “would do anything for you”.

“Obviously, out on the field he can do some pretty special things. He’s definitely a great one to have on your team,” he said.

Injured co-captain Callan Ward said Greene was a player he was especially close to.

“He’s extremely competitive — he’s just an animal in the weights room, on the training track, everywhere.”

Daniel Sankey 12.20pm: Grand Final Sprint line-up

Some of the AFL’s brightest young prospects will represent their teams in the 2019 AFL Grand Final Sprint at the MCG today.

Heats are taking place now, with the final to take place at half time of the AFL Grand Final.

The participants are:

Adelaide: Jake Kelly
Brisbane: Noah Answerth
Carlton: Paddy Dow
Collingwood: Will Hoskin-Elliott
Essendon: Dylan Clarke
Fremantle: Andrew Brayshaw
Geelong: TBC
Gold Coast: Ben King
Greater Western Sydney: Dylan Buckley
Hawthorn: Changkuoth Jiath
Melbourne: Sam Frost
North Melbourne: Taylor Garner
Port Adelaide: Connor Rozee
Richmond: Noah Balta
St Kilda: Nick Hind
Sydney: James Rowbottom
West Coast: Jackson Nelson
Western Bulldogs: Ed Richards

12.15pm: Treasurer fries Pies fans

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered some serious burns at the North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast this morning.

The only difference between a pyromaniac and Collingwood is that the former doesn’t waste 22 matches, he joked, while also having a laugh at the expense of his beloved Carlton for being 15 years into their five-year redevelopment program.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will attend the game and while he missed the North Melbourne Grand Final breakfast, the Cronulla NRL fan passed on a message — “Go Sharkies”.

AAP

12pm: Richmond’s defence stands tall

The first few weeks were the hardest. When star Richmond defender Alex Rance suffered his AFL season-ending knee injury in round one, fellow backman Nick Vlastuin said it took time to adjust. But one of the keys to Richmond reaching the grand final against GWS is how well their defence has covered Rance’s loss and ultimately blossomed.

Dylan Grimes and Bachar Houli made the All-Australian team and Vlastuin was stiff not to at least make the squad of 40.

“The time we felt him gone the most was probably the first couple of weeks afterwards,” Vlastuin said.

“I’ve played however many games and I reckon only four or five of them would have been without Rancey before this year. He’s never really had injuries.

“We were a bit lost out there because we were so used to having him and he’s such a good leader. As the weeks have gone along, everyone has grown into their roles.”

Crucially, Vlastuin said Rance was not their only experienced backman. Once it re-set, one of the AFL’s best defensive units rediscovered its mojo.

“That helps to cover; it’s not all completely new out there,” Vlastuin said. “We knew we’d get better and better, the more used we were to not having him out there.”

AAP

Daniel Sankey 11.45am: Oliver wins longest kick

He may have endured a difficult 2019 season, but Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver has still managed to secure a victory on Grand Final Day, taking out the Fox Footy Longest Kick competition.

Oliver (66.8m) edged out Adelaide’s Brodie Smith (66.0m), with AFLW star Tayla Harris (61.5m) outshining many of her male counterparts as she finished in equal third position with Brisbane Lion Daniel Rich (61.5m).

Oliver surprised himself with the victory, saying during his pre-kick interview that he had “no chance” and would have been a better proposition in a longest handball competition.

Daniel Sankey 11.30am: The last time they met

Richmond fans will today be hoping for a repeat of the Tigers and Giants’ most recent encounter at the MCG. That was in July in Round 17 when the Tigers ran out 27-point winners — 13.16 94 to 9.13 67.

Earning the three Brownlow Medal votes on that day was 20-year-old Tigers forward Shai Bolton (29 disposals, one-goal). GWS star Toby Greene was best afield for the Giants, taking the two Brownlow votes with two goals and 34 disposals, while Kane Lambert (one Brownlow vote, three goals, 19 disposals), Bachar Houli (30 disposals), Brandon Ellis (29 disposals), Dustin Martin (25 disposals) were also prominent for the Tigers.

Daniel Sankey 11am: Tigers, Dusty the bookies’ picks

Richmond remain the bookies’ favourite for today’s AFL Grand Final, with 2017 Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin the top pick to win the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground.

The TAB is offering odds of $1.42 on a Richmond win, with GWS at $3. That makes the Tigers the shortest grand final favourite since Collingwood started a $1.40 favourite in the drawn 2010 Grand Final against St Kilda.

Martin ($7) and Tigers teammates Bachar Houli ($9) and Dion Prestia ($10) head Norm Smith Medal betting ahead of GWS star Toby Greene ($13), Richmond forward Tom Lynch and Tigers veteran Shane Edwards ($13). Lachie Whitfield ($15) remains right in the betting mix for the Norm Smith Medal, even though he’s just returning from having his appendix removed, with his Giants teammate Josh Kelly ($15) on the same line of betting.

Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia is in hot form heading into today’s AFL Grand Final. Picture: Michael Klein
Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia is in hot form heading into today’s AFL Grand Final. Picture: Michael Klein

“Richmond has eased marginally as TAB favourite since last Saturday night from $1.36 to $1.42, with the biggest bet a $33,500 wager at $1.40 placed overnight for a potential $46,900 collect,” a TAB spokesman said.

“GWS has tightened as the TAB outsider after securing their maiden Grand Final berth from $3.30 to $3, with the largest wager a $25,900 bet at $3.10 on Thursday, which could result in a $80,290 payday.”

10.45am: The key match-ups

DUSTIN MARTIN (Richmond) v MATT DE BOER (GWS)
The Tigers ace has been in ripping form, but comes up against the best tagger in the business. With de Boer under his collar last time, Martin got suspended for striking Adam Kennedy off the ball, and fined for flipping the bird, while also making snorting gestures at Shane Mumford. De Boer will try and get under Martin’s skin again but it could come with some physical consequences from the Richmond hero and his teammates.

Richmond’s Dustin Martin fends off Giants tagger Matt de Boer at Giants Stadium earlier this year. Picture. Phil Hillyard
Richmond’s Dustin Martin fends off Giants tagger Matt de Boer at Giants Stadium earlier this year. Picture. Phil Hillyard

TOM LYNCH (Richmond) v PHIL DAVIS (GWS)
Lynch must be pinching himself: first season at Tigerland, first grand final. This is why he exited the Gold Coast. Lynch’s form has been brilliant and his five-goal heroics against Geelong a prime factor in the preliminary final. Giants stalwart Davis was battered from pillar to post last week but appears best equipped to match Lynch, whose main threat comes in aerial contests. Davis has the spoiling mastery to negate, but fitness doubts remain.

Key man … Richmond forward Tom Lynch. Picture: AAP
Key man … Richmond forward Tom Lynch. Picture: AAP

DYLAN GRIMES (Richmond) v TOBY GREENE (GWS)
The villain Greene will cop it from the pro-Tigers crowd every time he gets nears the ball — the more boos, the better for the Giants’ chances. Greene is cast as the central rogue, the bad boy returning from suspension. But beyond any theatrics, he’s also a major attacking weapon the Tigers must blunt. Grimes has the quality to lockdown on Greene in what would be a top-shelf duel.

Richmond defender Dylan Grimes shuts down Toby Greene in 2017. Picture: Getty Images
Richmond defender Dylan Grimes shuts down Toby Greene in 2017. Picture: Getty Images

AAP

10.30am: AFL Grand Final preview

TIGERS v GIANTS
• Head to head: Tigers 8 Giants 4 Drawn 0
• Finals head to head: Tigers 1 Giants 0 Drawn 0
• Last clash: Round 17, 2019 — Tigers 13.16 (94) bt Giants 9.13 (67) at the MCG

PREVIEW
Can Richmond ride their late-season momentum to a second flag in three years or will GWS claim their first premiership in just their eighth season in the competition? The Tigers, who finished the home-and-away season third on the ladder, are favoured to score a 12th premiership after storming into the grand final with 11 wins on the trot. But the underdog Giants, who qualified for September action in sixth spot, have proved their doubters wrong in an impressive finals series where they’ve defeated the Western Bulldogs, Brisbane and Collingwood to earn their first-ever grand final berth.

How the teams line up for the 2019 AFL Grand Final.
How the teams line up for the 2019 AFL Grand Final.

Damien Hardwick’s men have come a long way since their flag hopes were widely written off when star defender Alex Rance suffered a season-ending knee injury in round one and have looked irresistible at times in their run to the finals. Leon Cameron’s side have overcome their own adversity to make it to the premiership decider, with Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio and Brett Deledio among the injured stars who won’t feature on grand final day. Coniglio’s selflessness to rule himself out with a knee injury will surely spur on his teammates.

The Tigers swung a selection surprise when they handed mature-aged rookie Marlion Pickett an AFL debut to replace the injured Jack Graham. GWS regained Toby Greene from suspension and Lachie Whitfield from appendix surgery, the pair replacing Lachie Keeffe and Bobby Hill.

FORWARD BATTLE
Richmond’s Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt versus GWS’s Jeremy Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson and Harry Himmelberg. Both forward lines are loaded with potent weapons and how their key position targets perform will go a long way to deciding the result. Riewoldt had a quiet preliminary final, going goalless against Geelong, but Lynch picked up the slack with five. Cameron booted 67 goals to claim his first Coleman Medal at the end of the regular season and has taken that form into the final. Despite the absence of Rance, the Tigers defence has excelled in not conceding more than nine goals in any of their three finals. Tip: Tigers by 18 points.

AAP

10.15am: Grand final at a glance

Richmond premierships: 11 (1920, 1921, 1932, 1934, 1943, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980, 2017)
GWS premierships: Nil
Head-to-head: Played 12. Richmond 8 wins GWS 4 wins
In finals: Played 1 — 2017 preliminary final: Richmond 15.13 (103) bt GWS 9.13 (67) at MCG

Last meeting: Round 17, 2019 — Richmond 13.16 (94) bt GWS 9.13 (67) at MCG

The coaches … GWS boss Leon Cameron (left) and Tigers head coach Damien Hardwick. Picture: AAP
The coaches … GWS boss Leon Cameron (left) and Tigers head coach Damien Hardwick. Picture: AAP

RICHMOND COACH DAMIEN HARDWICK (2010-19)
Premierships: 1
Overall record: 129 wins 99 losses 2 draws
Finals record: 6 wins, 4 losses
Against Leon Cameron: 6 wins 4 losses

GWS COACH LEON CAMERON (2014-19)
Premierships: 0
Overall record: 79 wins 60 losses 3 draws
Finals record: 6 wins, 4 losses
Against Hardwick: 4 wins, 6 losses

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/2019-afl-grand-final-richmond-v-gws-giants-live-coverage-from-the-mcg/news-story/93c8f0ba332a23842f24a884c6ce93e0