Richmond back on top but chase for top eight is down to 10 teams

Richmond’s sustained supremacy at the MCG has elevated them back to the top of the ladder.

Richmond’s Dustin Martin charges forward during the Tigers’ win over Geelong at the MCG yesterday. Picture: Michael Klein

Richmond’s sustained supremacy at the MCG has elevated them back to the top of the ladder after a stirring 18-point win over Geelong yesterday.

The Tigers overcame a slow start and defied wintry conditions to reel in the Cats before edging away in an important victory in their premiership defence.

In a clash that provided some outstanding individual duels within the broader battle — Gary ­Ablett and Dustin Martin rubbed shoulders in the midfield while Patrick Dangerfield stood alongside Alex Rance in attack — the Tigers burnished their credentials against a rival that held the upper hand on them until last September.

Richmond’s desire to win successive premierships was encapsulated in a remarkable passage of play by Daniel Rioli in the last term.

Playing for the first time since last year’s decider, Rioli kept the football alive amid heavy pressure before showing great composure to finish with a goal after earning a free kick.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick was delighted with the triumph against Geelong, who had won 13 in succession against the Tigers before last year’s qualifying final.

“The ladder … is secondary to me. The quality of the win against a quality opposition was really pleasing from our point of view,” Hardwick said.

Richmond are now unbeaten at the MCG in more than a year. A sweet 16th straight success there leaves them just one match shy of Melbourne’s all-time record set in 1955 and 1956.

The opportunity to equal the record comes against Adelaide on July 6, with the Crows a shadow of the team beaten in last year’s grand final.

And rival premiership contenders received another ­reminder about the importance of doing all they can to earn the right to a home final, if possible, come September.

“(The streak) is not something we talk about a lot, we just play where we play,” Hardwick said.

As it stands, the Eagles will ­reclaim top position from Richmond if they defeat Essendon on Thursday night at Optus Stadium.

This would leave the Tigers and the Swans sitting two games clear of four other sides, though that advantage will reduce by the end of next weekend as they both enjoy the bye.

It remains to be seen what the magic number of premiership points will be that secures a double chance come September, or a spot in the eight.

At least 15 wins is usually ­required to earn the double chance, though both the Crows and West Coast were forced to play elimination finals in 2016 ­despite claiming 16 victories.

The logjam at the top of the ladder, combined with a cluster of sides at the bottom struggling to win games, suggests a similar scenario may eventuate this year. The race for the eight may well be down to 10 clubs, barring any staggering form reversals from the Crows or Fremantle, by the end of next weekend.

A victory over suburban rival Carlton at the MCG on Sunday would see Collingwood join the winner of Friday night’s clash between Port Adelaide and Melbourne on nine wins in equal-fourth spot.

Hawthorn, the Giants and North Melbourne will all start clear favourites in their outings in the remaining matches.

Victories would give these clubs a two-game and percentage buffer over the Crows and Dockers — the Giants the exception given an earlier draw — with just nine matches remaining.

While Adelaide coach Don Pyke is hopeful 12 wins will be enough to secure a spot in the eight, there is no guarantee this is the case.

Melbourne and St Kilda have missed on percentage in the past two years, while Port Adelaide finished a game behind the eighth-placed Kangaroos in 2015 despite claiming 12 wins.

On resuming after next weekend’s bye, the Crows host West Coast, then travel to the MCG to face Richmond before a home clash against Geelong.

They also face fellow finals contenders Melbourne (Rd 19), Port Adelaide (Rd 20), the Giants (Rd 21) and North Melbourne (Rd 22) in a difficult stretch.

“We’ll get the bye under way, refresh and come up with a clear solution,” Pyke said.

But former Sydney, Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade has doubts.

“I think they are just about at that point now where they probably won’t make the finals,” Eade told Seven’s AFL Game Day.

“They maybe think mathematically they can (play finals) but I wouldn’t be taking any chances with any players from now on.”