Toby Greene the difference, again
Toby was the difference in the contest with his four goals just one indicator of the influence he had on the result.
In the third quarter, as the Tigers strived to stay in touch, the brilliant Greene just turned half chances into goals.
The first moment came as he grabbed a loose ball at half-forward and was tackled. Somehow he managed to turn his body and shuffle a handball to Toby Bedford who kicked a goal. A moment later he gained the ball in a chain of handballs and kicked a perfectly weighted kick to Jake Riccardi.
Toby Greene handballs.Credit: via Getty Images
All of a sudden the margin was beyond Richmond’s reach. The natural agitator was then unlucky to not win a downfield free kick with the umpire instead giving the ball to Jesse Hogan.
The only concern for Greene is another potential fine after he shoved his hand into Nathan Broad’s face after outmarking him. The umpire reversed the decision.
Potential dangerous tackle issue for Giant
Tim Taranto left the field in a groggy state in the final quarter after his head crashed into what was once described as the hard centre wicket area in the middle of the MCG.
He fell forward after the man who ran with him throughout, Toby Bedford, chased him down to tackle him. Bedford did not sling him, or drive him into the ground intentionally but it was his momentum that saw the tough Tiger’s head hit the ground so hard.
This will be a tough decision for the MRO to make due to the lack of intent from the Giants player but with the focus on protecting players’ heads, it’s hard to see him escape without penalty, regardless of whether it’s fair to Bedford.
The missing Tiger and the missing Tiger fans
Too often the absence of Dion Prestia is overlooked when any assessment of the Tigers’ fortunes this season. The star on-baller was arguably the second most important driver in Richmond’s engine room (behind Dustin Martin) in the premiership era when huge crowds turned up every week to watch Richmond.
They didn’t on Sunday with just 19,040 spectators, the smallest crowd Richmond had attracted to the MCG since round 12, 2004 when they played Fremantle.
Tim Taranto of the Tigers is helped from the ground.Credit: via Getty Images
One who did turn up was Prestia for his seventh game of the season. His inclusion meant it was the first time since round two that he had played alongside Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper and the tireless and brave Toby Nankervis in 2024 and it made the Tigers more competitive.
The trio combined to get the ball forward for the first goal of the match and were good in the contest throughout, ensuring the Tigers led the inside 50 count.
At 31, he showed he can still have a huge influence in the twilight of his career if the Tigers can keep him fit. He finished with 27 disposals, four clearances and six contested possessions. His teammates walk taller when he plays.