Richmond

The ensuing five months will decide whether the Richmond dynasty is indeed over, but those eager to write the yellow and black epitaph will have to wait.

The Tigers won first possession, but the Dogs cleared the centre. Slow to get up from a marking contest with Lynch, Williams was caught out backtracking from the mark after the umpire had called stand. Shai Bolton’s snap on the left foot after pickpocketing Tom Liberatore loomed as the goal of the night, only to be topped by Jack Riewoldt’s 55-metre barrel after the three-quarter time siren. Beveridge said the Dogs would seek clarification from the AFL this week on the penalty against Williams, which he believed was an error, though he stressed it was inconsequential to the result and that the umpiring overall was good. The Dogs were made to learn the hard way, giving away two goals for failing to stand still on the mark. “Gardy [Ryan Gardner] was pretty good, Lynch kicked four in the end. They’re disappointed themselves they’re not executing to the level they would like. They won the clearance count and had more of the ball yet struggled defensively, not helped by some costly clangers. Hardwick said defender Nick Vlastuin was likely to return next week against Adelaide while Kane Lambert played a half in the VFL. “It was good to get Tim O’Brien involved tonight. Fielding a side which included 16 members of their 2020 premiership team, the Tigers won on muscle memory. Even when the four points were decided, former Saint Matt Parker ran down a startled Bailey Williams, bringing down his hapless prey to put the margin beyond six goals.