Goal drought: Tigers stumble, Swans finally fire at MCG
Sydney have strangled Richmond for a badly needed 44-point win, keeping the Tigers goal-less for more than a half at the MCG.
The Swans' slogging 11.14 (80) to 4.12 (36) win in cold conditions on Saturday was only their third in 11 visits to the MCG, punctuated by two heavy grand final losses over the past three years.
Sydney's record improves to 5-8, giving their season a glimmer of hope.
After last weekend's last-quarter fadeout against GWS, Richmond started brightly and led by 12 points at quarter time.
But the rebuilding Tigers did not kick a goal from 19 minutes in the first quarter until 22 minutes into the last - unofficially a club record.
All-Australian defender Nick Blakey, derided this week by some in the media as one of the season's biggest disappointments, was outstanding with 34 disposals and eight inside 50s.
Isaac Heeney starred in the midfield and James Jordon played his role to perfection as a defensive forward on in-form Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin, kicking three goals.
Tigers onballer Dion Prestia was on fire in the first quarter with 13 possessions, but James Rowbottom then paid him more attention and he only had 21 for the game.
Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy also had a day out, beating Richmond captain Toby Nankervis in another crucial match-up for the Swans.
The longer the game went, the more apparent was Nankervis's frustration.
Coming off big losses to Melbourne - at the MCG - and Adelaide at home, the Swans were in big trouble early.
Richmond had 10 of the first 12 inside 50s and it was 10-4 at quarter time, with the tackle count also a lopsided 11-6 in the Tigers' favour.
But Sydney made the game a scrap at the start of the second term and Heeney kicked a goal at 13 minutes to give them the lead.
The Swans led by 14 points at the main break and they kicked 10 unanswered goals until Seth Campbell put through his second late in the final term.
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News.com.au
28 minutes ago
- News.com.au
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Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Dolphins dazzle in 50-point demolition of Dragons
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The so-called 'Wayne Bennett curse' has been spooked into oblivion. The only downside for the Dolphins, now in seventh on the ladder, was a knee injury to forward Max Plath on his return from a foot issue. The opening 40 minutes on Friday night was a pure rugby league clinic as the home side rocketed to a 28-2 half-time lead at Suncorp Stadium. The second half was just as good. The forwards and backs were punishing in defence, halves Kodi Nikorima and Katoa combined in a masterclass and to a man the Dolphins played scintillating attacking rugby league. The diabolical Dragons simply had no answer. The Dolphins had their previous biggest winning margin over St George Illawarra in a 38-0 victory last year but this record breaker was another level, surpassing the 44 points they had notched on two previous occasions. When second-rower Connelly Lemuelu stormed over for his second try four minutes after the break, Nikorima and Katoa had two try assists each. Fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow then put the nail in the Dragons' coffin for a runaway try in combination with centre Jake Averillo, who was brilliant with three try assists. Katoa landed a 40-20 and then laid on a try for winger Jamayne Isaako's second try. Dolphins hitman Felise Kaufusi set the scene early with a back slam on centre Valentine Holmes to dislodge the ball. From that moment the Dolphins dominated. The depth of the Dolphins' attacking line was a sight to behold and it was star centre Herbie Farnworth who crossed for his 50th career try in the 11th minute after a sweeping right to left play. Winger Jamayne Isaako added a second in the right corner after a mirror image play for a 10-2 lead. Katoa was pivotal in both by going deep into the line to create space. He then beat three men and Nikorima raced away to score. A towering bomb by Katoa was expertly snaffled by Lemuelu for a 22-2 lead. Dolphins winger Jack Bostock haunted opposite number Nathan Lawson, the former Australian rugby sevens Olympian. Bostock smashed Lawson in one huge hit and then leapt above him to score after a Nikorima bomb. The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu to a hamstring injury in the first half on his return from the same complaint while forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner left the field in the second half with shortness of breath. 9.55pm on Jun 6, 2025 Stats snapshot of a Dolphins demolition 9.52pm on Jun 6, 2025 Watch: Dolphins bring up their 50 9.50pm on Jun 6, 2025 Farnworth adds last-minute try for dazzling Dolphins The Dolphins finish this one off in style, back-rowers Oryn Keeley and Connelly Lemuelu combining before sending Herbie Farnworth clear to score his second try of the night and the final one of the game. He touches down with seven seconds left on the clock, and Jamayne Isaako lobs over the conversion. That's a combined 100 points from the Dolphins' past two games, after their 44-6 drubbing of the Bulldogs. Are they a dark horse in this year's premiership race? Full-time: Dolphins win 56-6 9.32pm on Jun 6, 2025 A try for the Dragons! It's the dictionary definition of 'consolation try' but the Dragons have a four-pointer at last, with a left-side shift ending with a diving Valentine Holmes touching down in the corner. It's only a four-pointer with Holmes' conversion attempt drifting wide. 9.26pm on Jun 6, 2025 That's 50 for the Dolphins This is a training run for the Dolphins. The running game of the two halves continues to wreak havoc on the Dragons defence, with Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima linking up and drawing several defenders before a long Nikorima pass unleashes Jack Bostock down the left flank. Bostock sends it inside for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and the Dolphins have 50 points tonight. 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The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
The Bulldogs got their man. This is their plan for Lachlan Galvin
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He was then rested last week against the Broncos and missed Thursday night's loss to Newcastle. Stephen Crichton recovered from a corked thigh in 48 hours to star in Origin. This column has heard whispers Trbojevic has actually suffered a hamstring injury, which the Eagles have wanted to keep quiet so Tom isn't harassed by media. Titans roster reshuffle looms At least one club has been sounded out in recent days about signing Jayden Campbell. The Titans have depth in the fullback area and enough talent in the halves. You have to think they need a roster rejig after a poor start to the year. Bear necessities No one questions Mal Meninga 's standing as an Immortal of the game. But many are quietly saying he is a risk as the Perth coach. Here is what you need to consider. 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At that point, no one contacted him. That's hardly acceptable for a man of his standing.
