Blitzkrieg Bop

Sunday 4.40 games are the worst and life is getting in the way, so despite that awesome performance this is a very shortened post.

We've had better wins under Hardwick but it's hard to think of tougher wins. Port threw their AFL subsidised kitchen sink at us in the third quarter and, despite everything that's happened in the last few years indicating we'd pack it in, we saw off their blitzkrieg.

Everyone did their bit. Jack was amazing (hi Mark Maclure) and the forwards took their chances when they came, Ivan battled all three of Lobbe, Ryder and Westhoff and more than held his own, the midfield hunted as one despite Cotchin getting worked over by Kane Cornes who I can't work out why he is retiring and the backline was tireless in holding back Port's advance. As the RTT lads said so eloquently, they were the real MVP.

From the start it was hot. You wouldn't realise from the scoreline but Port kicked off the match just as electrically as they did the final last year, only this time we were ready and eventually took ascendency. Then, unlike some games this year, we took advantage of the opportunities that came. If we'd did that against Melbourne and Footscray we'd be 6 and 2 and being talked up as the only Victorian hope. Even though we aren't 6 and 2, we are still one of only two Victorian clubs who have managed to salute the judges against Port at Adelaide Oval. Also, Port's score was the second lowest at the ground since Carlton last year and look at the last 24 hours they've just had.

It doesn't matter who has coached Richmond over the last 30 years, we've been at our best when we are hunting the player with the ball. On countless occasions we made a Port player think twice about how much time they had and forced a turnover or a kick to one-on-one. I assume that's what it's like watching Sydney every week and it must be lots of fun.

One play that stood out to me, was Rance pulling off a spoil running back with the flight that is all but impossible under the new rule interpretation. I was so impressed and gobsmacked that I couldn't help but be a little flat when Westhoff went one better half an hour later and managed to mark it in the same situation, but then he turned the ball straight over and we kicked a goal so I guess the joke was on him.

Port are down on form, but they were always going to hit back in the second quarter and when they waltzed out of the middle straight from the first bounce and found Wingard completely on his own in the pocket (how does that even happen from a centre bounce?) I was worried that this week was going to be back to good old 'close your eyes and think of England' and they were about to pound us senseless for daring to stick out heads up at their beloved Adelaide Oval with their singing and noise. But it didn't happen in that quarter or the third. How cool?

It is nice to see they can fill a stadium adequately enough to not need to roll out teal tarps, but I was still thrilled to spoil Kane Cornes' party. Good on him, 300 games is an amazing effort, but I wasn't a little bit sad to see glum looking Port players chairing him off. Other than Dyl pushing that poor bastard who was injured on the ground, we doubled it up with being entirely respectful about the whole thing. Which I think must be annoying if you are Cornes, because the last thing you want to see heading off the ground is the 22 blokes who just beat you in your last game. It wasn't as good as when Richo towelled up SOS in his 300th to the extent they had to quietly shift him forward to save further embarrassment, but it was right up there. Just imagine if we spoil that big dopey git's 400th party this weekend, it would be amazing.

A couple of final player shout outs. It was good to see Hunt and McIntosh run themselves back into form, and I literally mean run. When we are up and about their ability to run and spread with the ball and close space on opponents when they've got it a proper addition. If we are still around at the pointy end when everyone slows down a bit, those two could be very important and they are exactly the kind of players we've missed in our two brief glimpses at the finals so far.

Finally and snarkily, how good to see Matty White looking like an exceptionally ordinary footballer again after he played ten good games for us after a decade on the list, bolted for the money and then let Port players make him look good? He'll be running around at some godforsaken place like West Torrens before long and I'm content with being bitter enough to joy from that. He is a front runner of the highest order.

Changes for next week

In: McBean
Out: Vickery

I'd give Ellis one more go at it. He was very quiet but I'm not all that sure McDonough would offer much more on a really big stage. As far as I'm concerned Menadue can stay in the side for life after dropping that dagger from 50.

The votes

5: Jack Riewoldt
4: Ivan Maric
3: Taylor Hunt
2: Brett Deledio
1: Alex Rance

Unlucky: Everyone, but especially the backline, forwards and midfielders.

Leaderboards

The Benny:

12: Jack Riewoldt

11: Shaun Grigg and Trent Cotchin

10: Shane Edwards, Jack Riewoldt and Bachar Houli
8: Anthony Miles and Taylor Hunt
7: Dustin Martin and Alex Rance
6: Nick Vlastuin
5: Ivan Maric
4: Brandon Ellis and Brett Deledio
3: Kamdyn McIntosh, Chris Newman, Ben Griffiths and Jake Batchelor
2: Sam Lloyd
1: Dylan Grimes

Blair Hartley Appreciation Award:

11: Shaun Grigg

10: Bachar Houli
8: Anthony Miles and Taylor Hunt
5: Ivan Maric

Anthony Banik Best First Year Player:

3: Kamdyn McIntosh

Joel Bowden's Golden Left Boot:

11: Shaun Grigg

10: Bachar Houli
3: Jake Batchelor

Greg Tivendale Rookie List Medal:

No votes yet.