AFL Round 19 Richmond v Hawthorn: Richmond storm home to beat Hawks in thriller

Richmond have not be known for their ability to win tight games, but a simple gesture from one of their stars during the week may have proved the difference in their season living or dying.

A simple midweek gesture from star Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia might have ultimately proved the difference in the Tigers’ spectacular come-from-behind one-point win over Hawthorn on Saturday at the MCG.

Prestia took it upon himself to make sure the playing group practised tight finishes in match simulation, and that valuable session couldn’t have been more timely as only a few days later, Richmond fought back from six goals down to clinch a thrilling victory.

Further underscoring the competitive edge it may have given the Tigers is the fact that Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell revealed post-match that his developing team doesn’t train for those tense scenarios just yet.

Prestia urged the side to practise tight game finishes. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Richmond’s record in games decided by a goal or less this year is now 2-2-1 after being 1-8-2 combined in the previous two seasons.

“All credit goes to the players for that,” McQualter said.

“I want to single out Dion Prestia last week, he got the group together and he took scenarios, so he took the whole group through scenarios, and it’s a credit to our leaders to be able to get it done.

“Late in games it’s about moments and people getting things done in the critical moments and the leadership he’s shown, among some of our other leaders, we’re able to get the result because of it.”

Mitchell believes that the more his team plays in close matches, the better they will perform in them.

“We haven’t done a lot of scenario training – two goals up, two goals down, 10 minutes to go – because being in games has been a challenge for us across the course of the year,” he said.

“As we develop our group we’re going to get better at dealing with those moments and we had some players who really stood up and some who have got some learning to do.

“If we continue to put games together where we give ourselves a chance, then we can start to train more scenario-based work.

“That’s going to become more important as we surge up the ladder.”

Despite still trailing by 30 points at three-quarter time, McQualter insisted the team still believed they could pull off what ultimately was the club’s equal greatest VFL/AFL comeback from that time of the game.

“We knew we were in the game, so that was the challenge. But we had to get a bit more bold with our ball movement which we were able to do,” he said.

Debutant Matthew Coulthard was a major factor in the Tigers’ win. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Central to that was debutant Matthew Coulthard who was subbed into the game in the final quarter and had a huge impact with seven touches (two contested), two tackles, two inside-50s a clearance and three score involvements, including a goal assist.

“How cool was that? (I’m) just rapt for him,” McQualter said of the 22-year-old mid-season draftee.

“Matty showed us what we’ve seen at VFL for the last five weeks – his run and work rate and he really connected our forwards a few times, didn’t he?

“I think he gave our players a fair bit of energy coming on as well.”

McQualter described the win as “character building”.

“The resilience that the group showed was amazing,” he said.

McQualter also praised star duo Tim Taranto and Dustin Martin for their pivotal roles in the heart-stopping victory.

“It’s probably a testament to how fit Tim is that he’s able to continually keep going, over and over,” he said.

“The work rate he’ll show you in the last quarter is the same as the first quarter and he’s a real leader, the fact that he steps up when we need him to.

“Dustin’s level is so high and I think to be able to maintain that high level is something that he probably doesn’t get enough credit for.

“Every single week he puts himself in a position to help us win games of football.”

MATCH REPORT: Tigers unearth new hero in epic comeback

Richmond have fought back from six goals down in the shadows of three-quarter time to steamroll Hawthorn by one point at the MCG to pull of a spectacular highway robbery.

When Mitch Lewis kicked his fourth goal to put the Hawks up by 36 points late in the third term, it looked like the Tigers’ top-eight hopes had gone up in smoke.

But after being largely outplayed in the opening three quarters, Richmond flicked the switch in devastating fashion and kicked the last six goals to overpower the Hawks 14.12 (96) to 15.5 (95), ensuring their charge towards the top eight remains on course.

The Tigers pulled off their equal-greatest comeback from three-quarter time after being down by 30 points at the final change.

Liam Baker celebrates the matchwinning goal with teammate Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Despite having all the momentum in the final term, two missed set shots from Jack Riewoldt, one from 20m out, looked as though they may have cost Richmond the win.

But a goal from Kamdyn McIntosh from the goalsquare with 2:01 to go got them back within five points and a magnificent crumbing snap from Liam Baker with 1:04 left proved to be the match winner.

After starting the year 3-7-1, the Tigers have now won six of their last seven games under interim coach Andrew McQualter to roar into finals contention.

Richmond’s pressure skyrocketed in the final quarter as they out-tackled the Hawks 21-12 to win the stat convincingly 72-52, while they also finished on top in disposals 378-359, contested possessions 142-128 and marks 115-89.

Liam Baker puts Tigers in front, sixth goal in a row! 😱

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— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 22, 2023

Tim Taranto produced another matchwinning performance that featured 23 disposals (11 contested), eight tackles and three goals, while Dustin Martin was also crucial in racking up 24 touches (10 contested), seven marks and two goals.

Mid-season draftee Matt Coulthard provided a much-needed spark on debut, coming on as the sub late in the third term.

The 22-year-old, plucked from Glenelg in the SANFL, had seven final-quarter disposals and played a key role in the late charge.

The loss could also come at a cost for the Hawks after their ruckman Ned Reeves was reported for sling-tackling Ivan Soldo in the first quarter, causing the Richmond big man’s head to slam into the ground.

And while Soldo was able to play out the game, Reeves looks set for a suspension.

Streaming down the wing, kicking to Dusty - and setting up a Riewoldt goal. Fair first play from debutant Matt Coulthard!

📺 Watch #AFLTigersHawks LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/FN0Wjh56Pj
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— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 22, 2023

Chad Wingard had some brilliant moments at the MCG. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Miller error turns tide

After trailing by 19 points early, Richmond’s pressure lifted, and they booted the next four majors to open up an eight-point buffer early in the second quarter. The Tigers should have had five goals on the trot, but instead of lining up for goal from point-blank range, Ben Miller was far too unselfish and handballed it to the top of the goalsquare to an under-pressure Trent Cotchin who missed to the left. That incident sparked a sensational momentum shift as the Hawks slammed on the next six majors to lead by 28 points late in the second term as their blistering speed, slick ball movement and forward efficiency swamped the Tigers.

Sicily gets rub of green

Nearing time on in the final quarter, with Richmond down by 11 points, James Sicily appeared to manhandle Jack Riewoldt to the ground before taking the intercept mark, but the umpire didn’t pay the free kick to Riewoldt. Moments later, it looked as though the Hawthorn captain dropped a contested mark against Riewoldt in the Hawks’ back pocket, but he was paid the mark. Then shortly after Sicily was paid a dubious push-in-the-back free kick against Riewoldt on the Tigers’ forward flank. Despite Sicily’s best efforts – 28 disposals (13 contested), 13 marks (six) and 15 intercept possessions – the Hawks fell short.

James Sicily was back to his best on Saturday. Picture: Michael Klein.

Tigers cough it up

Hawthorn headed into the game ranking 16th in the league for goals from turnovers, yet 10 of their first 14 majors were kicked from that method, by which time they had a 31-point lead into time on in the third quarter.

Hawks’ soccer skills

Midway through second term, Chad Wingard put the Hawks up by 22 points when he flicked a boot at the loose ball off the ground in the forward pocket while being grabbed by Dylan Grimes, and from the sharp angle it miraculously rolled through for a goal. In the first term, Wingard set up another soccer goal when he chipped it into the path of Finn Maginness who got a rushed boot to the ball under pressure from his opponent. Maginness immediately chased after the bouncing ball, but to his delight, the ball kept tumbling end over end and dribbled over the goal line.

Dirty day for Denver

Denver Grainger-Barras had a very quiet day at the office, and was subbed out at half-time after failing to register a stat. Originally drafted as a defender with the sixth overall pick, he was brought back into the team in recent weeks to play up forward, but he struggled badly on Saturday and will be in danger of losing his spot.

Hawthorn ruckman Ned Reeves, who could be in trouble for a sling tackle, goes head-to-head with Ivan Soldo, Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Scoreboard

TIGERS 3.2, 6.6, 9.9, 14.12 (96)

HAWKS 4.2, 10.3, 15.3, 15.5 (95)

LERNER’S BEST Tigers: Taranto, Martin, Prestia, Broad, Ross, Baker, Graham. Hawks: Sicily, Wingard, Newcombe, Lewis, Worpel, Amon, Ward.

GOALS Tigers: Taranto 3, Martin 2, Baker 2, Graham, Hopper, Miller, Soldo, Bolton, Riewoldt, McIntosh. Hawks: Lewis 4, Wingard 3, Brockman 2, Breust 2, Worpel, Maginness, Newcombe, Moore.

REPORTS Ned Reeves (Hawthorn) for engaging in rough conduct with Ivan Soldo (Richmond) in the first quarter.

UMPIRES Heffernan, Mollison, Rodger, Young

VENUE Marvel Stadium

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LERNER’S VOTES

3 Tim Taranto (Rich)

2 James Sicily (Haw)

1 Dustin Martin (Rich)

Originally published as AFL Round 19 Richmond v Hawthorn: Richmond storm home to beat Hawks in thriller