Misses cost Hawks as Tigers backs shine

Star Richmond defender Dylan Grimes was relieved as well as pleased when Hawthorn opponent Luke Breust missed his easy shot on goal.

Hawthorn's two disastrous shots on goal when the AFL qualifying final was in the balance might sum up the concept of referred pressure.

They were certainly sliding doors moments.

One of them also let star Richmond defender Dylan Grimes off the hook.

Grimes was as surprised as anyone when Shaun Burgoyne missed his sitter in the first quarter on Thursday night and then Luke Breust shanked his second-term kick.

Burgoyne is nicknamed Silk because that sums up his skills and poise, while Breust is a two-time All Australian forward.

They just do not miss those shots.

Meanwhile, Tigers ace Dustin Martin kicked the immediate front runner for goal of the finals and teammate Daniel Rioli also dribbled through a beauty.

So instead of Hawthorn being in front or within a goal at the main break, they were 14 points down after a first half that featured a whopping 94 tackles and only eight goals.

The stage was set for the coup de grace in the third quarter, when the reigning premiers kicked five goals to two.

"I slipped over and Breust took that mark on me, so I was certainly pretty happy that he missed," Grimes said.

"But it's a bit of a let off the hook - that's our job, we're trying to stop the goals.

"To get a lucky one like that ... those players don't normally miss, especially not in finals footy.

"We certainly got lucky there."

But great teams also make their own luck and Richmond shone in Thursday night's wet, gloomy conditions.

Grimes added to his legend, with the All-Australian candidate leading the ironclad Tigers defence.

He, Alex Rance and David Astbury have become a peerless key defensive trio.

Whatever stars such as Lance Franklin, Josh Kennedy or Tom Hawkins offer in this finals series, Richmond know with confidence that their tall backs can match them.

"I know at three-quarter time, our pressure numbers were immense and it certainly makes our job easier, when there's so much heat on the ball and there are a lot of dirty entries coming in," Grimes said.

"That aside, the backs have been pretty solid all year.

"We're really building some strong connection and strong cohesion as a back seven."


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Source: AAP


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