A FAST-STARTING Richmond managed to hold off Greater Western Sydney's accuracy-fueled comback bid to secure a 9.14 (68) to 10.1 (61) win at Corroboree Group Oval in Manuka on Sunday.
The Tigers went into the match keen to break their pattern of alternating win-loss results following victory over St Kilda in round five, coming out of the gates fast and unlucky not to lead by more than 16 points at quarter-time.
GIANTS V TIGERS Full match details and stats
They continued to dominate through the second term with five goals in quick time to hold what looked like an insurmountable 37-point lead at the long break.
However, the Giants completely transformed after half-time, scoring 6.0 for the the third quarter, including a double from Georgia Garnett, to give themselves a glimmer of hope at the final change.
Leading by eight points, Richmond did all the attacking early in the fourth but couldn't find the big sticks, kicking 0.6 for the term.
However, its defence held strong as the GWS players started to get their hands on the ball in a desperate bid to snatch an unlikely win.
The Giants' accuracy continued when Grace Martin slotted their tenth major without a blemish, and when Alicia Eva was handed a 50 metre penalty with just minutes on the clock and the difference back to eight, it looked like nothing could stop them.
But that was the moment the football gods deserted GWS and Eva's shot slid off line for the Giants' only behind of the day.
The Tigers took the turn of fate and ran with it to clinch their fourth win of the season and be left sitting just outside the top eight.
It should be noted that the Tigers’ wins have come against the teams currently occupying the bottom four rungs of the ladder, but Jarrad Donders has his side playing a new and exciting brand of football based around an imposing forward structure featuring Caitlin Greiser and Olivia Wolmarans.
Wolmarans, the AFLW’s most recent No.1 draftee, showed her immense potential is already coming to fruition with three goals from a game-high nine marks, while Greiser could have done a lot more damage had she not been off target with 1.5.
Gabby Seymour added to Richmond’s firepower with a career-high three goals.
Ellie McKenzie (20 disposals, one goal), Isabel Bacon (18 disposals) and Sierra Grieves (18) were strong in the midfield as they assume more responsibility in Mon Conti's absence.
Finals hopes are fading for the Giants (1-5), but midfielders Alyce Parker (27 disposals) and Rebecca Beeson (23 disposals, two goals) were prolific, while Garnett finished with three goals.
Up next
The Tigers’ gathering momentum faces a challenge when they head to Ikon Park on Grand Final Eve to face Carlton at 4.00pm Friday, while GWS will play Collingwood at Victoria Park at 1.05 Sunday afternoon.
Good kicking is good football
It's an age-old saying and one the Giants embraced on Sunday. Sitting in arrears by 37 points at half-time, things could have been worse if they hadn't made the most of their limited opportunities. After the break the opportunities increased and the accuracy didn't falter, at least not until the last minute, with GWS sitting on 10.0 and eight points behind Richmond when Alicia Eva kicked their only behind of the day.
Bad kicking is good enough this time
Caitlin Greiser started the game in magnificent fashion with a goal inside the first minute, and while she had no trouble finding the ball through the rest of the game, the goals eluded her. Greiser finished the day kicking 1.5 but still played her part as a forward presence and continual threat.Â
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEYÂ Â 1.0Â Â 3.0Â Â 9.0Â Â 10.1 (61)
RICHMONDÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3.4Â Â 8.7Â Â 9.8Â Â 9.14 (68)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Garnett 3, Beeson 2, Pauga, Martin, huntington, Howley, Evans
Richmond: Wolmarans 3, Seymour 3, McKenzie, Greiser, Cleary
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Beeson, Parker, McCormick, Garnett, Lucas-Rodd
Richmond: McKenzie, Wolmarans, Seymour, Grieves, Bacon
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Richmond: Kelly (Head)
Crowd: 2,299 at Corroboree Group Oval Manuka
