The Serve

RIC 73 BL 73: No winner at the Dome

If there had to be a winner at Telstra Dome, it certainly wasn’t football. And for that matter it wasn’t Richmond or the Brisbane Lions either.

The Tigers winless streak for 2007 extends to ten matches, however they are now off the dreaded zero in the points column, with Kayne Pettifer’s goal with less than two minutes remaining securing Richmond a 73-all draw.

The home side fought back from 14 points behind during the final quarter, however the result was not particularly satisfying for coach Terry Wallace: “I’ve never been a great one for draws. Everyone feels lousy”.

Wallace called for the introduction of extra time to break deadlocks in the future. “I think if you can play five minutes each way, or something like that, that would be a better standout”, said Wallace.

The game itself didn’t get to any great heights. Richmond enjoying a rare lead at the major break, up 31-28. “One of the worst games I’d seen at half time” was Wallace’s opinion of the dour struggle. “We had blokes just standing there minding grass in the first half”

The Lions worrying slide has blown out to four matches, with the youth of Brisbane showing signs of fatigue. “We’re having trouble running games out strongly” said Lions coach Leigh Matthews.

The draw gives Richmond sole possession of bottom spot of the ladder thanks to the Demons win over Adelaide, although the Tigers can feel some reward for their efforts. A view not shared by Wallace: “We had enough footy certainly to kick more than two goals in the final quarter”

Richmond 2.4 4.7 8.9 10.13 (73) Richardson 2; Tambling 2.

Brisbane Lions 1.5 5.8 10.10 10.13 (73) Patfull 3; Brown 2; Lappin 2.