Tigers in with a sniff of top four

A strong win by Richmond's VFL side against Williamstown at home at the weekend pushes the Tigers back into the top eight and, with luck, a top four position within reach.

The Tigers won by 55 points, 10.14.74 to 2.7.19 to sit in eighth position with a 9-6 record, but are only one win and percentage from being third on the ladder.

Richmond welcomed back Sydney Stack after he had been out with a fractured cheekbone and ruckman Samson Ryan, while first round draft pick Josh Gibcus - who was omitted from the AFL team after 14 games - made his VFL debut.

The Tigers controlled the flow and tempo of the game in the first term but were not able to make the most of their opportunities. The second term was much of the same, as the game stayed within a two-goal margin until midway through the quarter thanks to goals from small forward duo Jason Castagna and Maurice Rioli Jnr.

That burst saw Richmond extend its lead to 29-points at half time.

The second half saw the Tigers start to flex their muscles as they generated several inside 50 entries and started to kick away from Williamstown with a further six goals to two.

Williamstown finally kicked its first goal at the 13-minute mark of the third quarter but the sting had gone out of the game by then.

Samson Ryan certainly put his hand up for AFL selection with a very balanced but impressive performance after spending time in the ruck (20 disposals and 29 hitouts), yet was also able to trouble the scorers, kicking three goals for the game while Jake Aarts responded to his omission with 27 disposals, including seven tackles.

In VAFA Division Three, the Richmond Centrals Football Club challenged Canterbury for three quarters but were not able to go with them as they ran out 52-point victors, holding the Centrals goalless in the final quarter, 6.8.44 to 14.12.96.

Senior men's coach George Koumantatakis described the contest as an arm wrestle but emphasised that their forward half craft, which had plagued them this season, was a factor in the defeat.

"We managed to stay within striking distance at three quarter time and there was belief amongst the group that we could win the game but, as been the case this for most of this season, [we were let down by] our inability to find a way to score and kick goals in the last quarter," Koumantatakis said.

"We couldn't get any forward momentum and turn it into anything substantial.

"I just think we have lacked a bit of polish to finish off our good work and the good teams have that ability to convert. That's probably the difference between sides that are in the top four or in the middle of the ladder."

The Centrals take on third placed Elsternwick at Holmes/Todd Oval this Saturday afternoon in a must win game to keep their 2022 season alive.

In Division One, the Kew Bears senior team returned to the winners' list after defeating a persistent but ultimately overwhelmed Therry Penola outfit by 57 points, 13.17.95 to 5.8.38.

After being defeated by PEGS last round, Kew Football Club president Michael Cochrane was pleased to see the club respond in good fashion.

"Therry were always tough at home and have been playing some pretty decent footy the last few weeks, so we were going into that game knowing we'd have to bring our best footy to come away with the win.

"It was a pleasing effort, as we knew this was going to be a tough match and yesterday was no different."

Kew will have a tough top-four encounter in Round 15, when it comes up against Glen Eira this Saturday at Packer Park. Earlier this year, the Bears held on by two points against the side.

"It will be another tough one but it will be a really good test for us to see where we are at," Cochrane said. "Glen Eira are right up there with PEGS."

Kew's Reserves also bounced back emphatically after their first loss of the season last week with a powerful offensive display, defeating Therry Penola by 137 points, 24.14.158 to 3.3.21.

In the William Bucks Premier Women's Division, Kew put in a strong defensive performance to defeat rivals Marcellin by 35-points. The Bears held Marcellin goalless for the game while Lily Barr who kicked four goals and Dakota Villiva put in impressive performances.