Richmond’s ruck stocks could take another hit with Samson Ryan set to come under scrutiny for an off-the-ball hit during Saturday’s loss to Port Adelaide.
The Power cruised to a 42-point victory at the MCG in a match that never reached great heights.
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But there could be some significant fallout for the Tigers after Ryan’s brain fade in the third quarter.
As the Tigers were preparing to kick in from a behind, Ryan inexplicably gave opponent Jordon Sweet a body shot about 80m off the ball.
The umpires saw it and immediately gave a free kick, which cost Richmond a goal, but the match review officer will certainly have a close look at.
“They are 75-80m away from the football and he gives his opponent, Jordon Sweet, a shot to the guts, which ultimately cost them a goal and I would not be shocked if that was a small suspension as well,” Nick Dal Santo said on Fox Footy.
Under the new guidelines this year, deliberate body shots will likely incur a one-match ban, rather than a fine in previous years.
New Blue Will Hayward was a hit with a one-match ban for his body shot on George Wardlaw during the Kangaroos’ Good Friday win.
If Ryan, who was playing his first game of the season, is also rubbed out, then the undersized Tigers will be in big strife for next Sunday’s clash against GWS.
With captain and regular ruck Toby Nankervis sidelined with a hamstring injury, 208cm giant Oliver Hayes-Brown could be brought in to make his debut.
Defender Ben Miller has also done some ruckwork this season, while Mykelti Lefau and Jonty Faull were used in the middle at times on Saturday.
The Tigers slumped to their worst start to a season in 16 years, falling behind early when they conceded the first five goals in the Power’s 13.12 (90) to 6.12 (48) victory at the MCG on Saturday.
Maurice Rioli took a spectacular mark on Logan Evans’ back and converted his set shot for Richmond’s first goal 20 minutes into the second term.
But it was one of few moments of joy for Adem Yze’s side in a fourth consecutive loss.
Port (2-2) squared their season record, rebounding from a horror home defeat to West Coast with a better team display.
It could come at a cost, with Willem Drew to be scrutinised over a sling tackle on Steely Green, whose head hit the ground in the incident.
Butters (30 disposals), Darcy Byrne-Jones (26) and Kane Farrell (24) were all key contributors, and defender Aliir Aliir (18 intercepts) gleefully mopped up loose balls in the back half.
Mitch Georgiades, Jack Lukosius, Jason Horne-Francis and Jack Whitlock kicked two goals each, and recalled veteran Ollie Wines had 11 touches in his first game of the season.
It was an untidy start in perfect conditions, with both sides guilty of poor skill errors.
Richmond controlled clearances (13-3), but Port led 1.6 to 0.1 at quarter-time and made more of their opportunities in the second term to kick clear.
The margin was 34 points before Rioli rose high at the city end and sparked a three-goal run for the Tigers leading into halftime.
But that momentum halted when Ryan struck Sweet about 80 metres off the ball, resulting in a free-kick that Corey Durdin converted from the top of the goal square.
Up by 27 points at the final change, Port kicked three goals in as many minutes early in the last quarter to end the Tigers’ resistance.
Midfield pair Jacob Hopper (22 disposals, eight clearances) and Tim Taranto (20, six) battled away for Richmond, who last lost their opening four games in Damien Hardwick’s first season as coach.
Teenaged Tigers Sam Lalor and Liam Fawcett kicked two goals each.
– With AAP
