In today’s AFL Briefing, your wrap of footy news:
- A West Coast player went to ground in obvious pain after a gut punch from a Richmond opponent.
- Surgery for Swan after suffering a sickening lower leg injury.
Tiger in the gun for behind-the-play blow
Marc McGowan
Richmond may have dodged a second wooden spoon in three years with a second win this season over a wayward West Coast as Tigers defender Luke Trainor faces match review scrutiny for a gut punch.
Adem Yze’s men had lost eight matches in a row by an average of almost 50 points, and were on the bottom, behind Essendon on percentage with a miserable 2-17 win-loss record.
But Richmond took advantage of the visiting Eagles’ yips in front of goal at the MCG on Sunday to climb above the Bombers and within one win of 16th-placed West Coast, who were 3.17 at one stage before losing 12.12 (84) to 9.19 (73).
The result eases pressure on coach Yze, who has presided over only 10 victories in 66 matches in what is a full-blown rebuild at Tigerland.
Yze re-signed until the end of 2028 in November last year, and chief executive Shane Dunne said he had the club’s backing.
There were only 12 points between the sides at three-quarter-time, but goals to Richmond premiership veterans Tom Lynch and Toby Nankervis blew the margin out before they hung on for a narrow win.
The Eagles, who have been competitive most weeks despite their lack of success, have plenty to be rueful about, with spearhead Jake Waterman’s 2.6 day – on top of putting another kick out on the full – headlining their woeful goalkicking.
Elliot Yeo had a chance to slice the difference to six points with a gettable set shot inside the last two minutes, but sprayed it to the left, only for No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor to seal the contest at the other end not long after.
West Coast were trying to beat Richmond at the MCG for the first time since 2015, but the 33,737 crowd instead were able to celebrate a rare Tigers triumph this season.
Tim Taranto led Richmond’s charge all afternoon with 32 disposals and a game-high 11 clearances, while Harley Reid was excellent in a losing cause with 34 touches, 20 contested possessions and nine clearances. Mid-season draftee Marcus Herbert (34 disposals) was also prolific for the Eagles.
Trainor’s behind-the-play gut punch to West Coast’s Jack Williams came in the second quarter of the clubs’ clash after they engaged in a standing wrestle.
Once Trainor broke loose, he wound up and struck the Eagle with a clenched left fist.
The second-year Tiger, playing his 30th career game, instantly jogged away while Williams went to ground in obvious pain and went to the bench soon after.
It is the type of incident the AFL aimed to stamp out when it announced tribunal changes in February, revealing that incidents where a player strikes another in the chest or stomach were more likely to be graded medium impact and result in at least a one-game suspension.
Match review officer Michael Christian has typically graded these incidents as low impact, which led to fines rather than bans. Trainor’s gut punch was also an intentional action.
Richmond have a lengthy injury list that includes key defensive options Noah Balta, Josh Gibcus and Campbell Gray, so losing Trainor would present the Tigers with more challenges down back.
More to come
Surgery for ‘devastated’ Swan after leg injury
Peter Ryan
Sydney Swans defender Will Edwards had surgery on Sunday after suffering a sickening lower leg injury against the Saints on Saturday.
Edwards appeared to dislocate his ankle and was carted from the field having received pain medication during the Swans’ 19-point win at Marvel Stadium.
Coach Dean Cox described the injury as “devastating” for the 23-year-old, who made his debut this season following a series of leg fractures and infections.
The club is expected to provide more information about the injury and his prognosis after the operation. Midfielder James Rowbottom will also have surgery to repair a broken hand sustained during the match against St Kilda.
For the Saints, Jack Silvagni (dislocated shoulder) and Tom De Koning (hip pointer) are in doubt for next Sunday night’s match against their former team, Carlton.