Wanting to Win

Prior to this game the Tigers were really looking in bad shape and could conceivably keep losing. Fortunately the Lions weren't exactly having a season to write home about either. Early on this match was tight and there seemed to be a fair bit of inevitability about it in that Brisbane would eventually break the shackles and run away from the Tigers, that was until Matthew Richardson stood up and said no way!

The turning point in this match came early in the 3rd quarter. Brisbane were looking dangerous and Rcihmond heads looked about ready to drop despite the work rates of Tuck and Coughlan having lifted. Then Brisbane champion and captain Michael Voss tried to gather a loose ball on the Richmond half forward line. Richardson took off at top speed and anyone who has seen Richo more than a few times knows that his top gear is impressive. He threw himself at the ball, his long arms gathered it in, his slide took Voss' legs out from under him, left crowd and commentators breathless with the courage and brilliance of the move, Richo scrambled to his feet, fed out an awkward handpass that found the waiting Mark Coughlan who then kicked it to Kayne Pettifer who had slipped his tag. Pettifer goaled from the resulting mark and kick. The game changed in that moment and seeing one of their favourite sons do something so inspirational lifted the entire team and they went on a streak of 6 unanswered goals to break the Lions back.

You could be excused for thinking that the Tigers were done and would go on to win the match. The Lions weren't prepared to go down without a fight and hit back hard to get to within 7 points, again enter Matthew Richardson, one goal from a powerful mark and accurate kick, then swooping onto a loose ball and kicking one on the run the game was over, Richo sat on the ground and thrust his fists in the air, he knew that the Tigers were home and he was the reason.

Take a bow big fella you've done it again!

Chris