RETURNING RICHMOND GUNS MAKE IMPACT
Richmond’s horrific injury toll eased in time for a few of Adem Yze’s classiest charges to return and have a big say in the Tigers snapping a 67-day drought, conjuring their first win since shocking Sydney on Easter Sunday.
Noah Cumberland has three.Credit: Getty
Back from a concussion break, Shai Bolton’s radar was off, but he was in the thick of most of the action on Thursday night, whether devastating in the centre square or roaming ominously across half-forward.
Tim Taranto, playing his first game in two months after recovering from a wrist injury, was relentless with his clearance work and tackling.
Meanwhile, Dion Prestia was solid in his return from a torn hamstring before his comeback match ended with him sitting out the final stages with calf soreness.The biggest of all the Tigers’ guns, Dustin Martin, is set to make a triumphant return for his landmark 300th game next weekend.
STRACHAN GONE
Long-time Crows ruck understudy Kieran Strachan’s shock return to the AFL ended in the lumbering big man substituting out with a groin injury.
Strachan, who was summoned to replace O’Brien for just his sixth AFL game since being rookie-drafted way back in 2019, had some strong moments.
He snared a huge contested mark in the second quarter amid a solid pack of Darcy Fogarty, Toby Nankervis and Ben Miller, before being mobbed by teammates when he slotted the first goal of his AFL career, giving the Crows the lead.
Strachan’s night ended in disappointment, though, when the big fella left the match at three-quarter-time.
While he battled hard while he was fit, his tag-team combination with makeshift duo James Borlase and Chris Burgess constantly had their hands full against the might of Tigers skipper Nankervis.
A NIGHT OF FIRSTS
The Taylor Walker-less Crows pulled an early shock when specialist backman Borlase lined up deep in attack.
James Borlase celebrates his first goal in the AFL.Credit: Getty
Borlase fluffed an opportunity to nail his first goal at AFL level when he miscued a set shot after the quarter-time siren.
The son of Port Adelaide SANFL premiership captain Darryl and netball legend Jenny, Borlase made amends in the opening minute of the second half when he converted a free kick against Nathan Broad.
After Strachan also kicked his first goal at the highest level, Crows debutant Billy Dowling had the parochial Adelaide Oval crowd on their feet when he slotted a pearler deep into the fourth stanza, which gave the Crows a big sniff.