Garry Lyon was full of praise for Richmond following the club’s impressive win over West Coast last night.
The reigning premiers ended the eight-game winning streak of the Eagles with a clinical 27-point triumph at Metricon Stadium.
Lyon assessed the performance of Damien Hardwick’s side who took away West Coast’s main attributes which is marking the ball in the air and keeping possession from their opponents.
“We know their style when they’re playing their best footy, they are in control of the ball,” Lyon said of the Eagles on SEN Breakfast.
“They are a kicking team and they kick so very well.
“In the first quarter they had 49 kicks and 44 handballs. That is just not how West Coast (play). That is because Richmond were at them and at them and at them and didn’t give them any chance to take a breath, take some time on the clock and be precise.
“I’ve seen West Coast take 30 uncontested marks in a quarter where they just control the footy. They had 44 uncontested marks for the whole game.
“That right there for the Tigers is a huge pat on the back.
“They just couldn’t control the ball. Time in possessions was down, they (Richmond) went after them.
“We talked about their (Richmond’s) forward half pressure. How manic was it?”
Lyon delved further into how the Tigers operated in order to play the game on their terms.
“We often talk about knowing what opposition clubs are going to do but then trying to stop them,” he added.
“This is why Richmond are so good.
“Obviously Hardwick is a fantastic and unbelievably good coach and they knew what was going to happen so they put the game plan in place and then they go and execute.
“In the very first second (Trent) Cotchin lowers the eyes instead of going long, then they go around (Jeremy) McGovern. What they did was exactly what would have been written on the whiteboard before the game but then they go and execute.
“That’s when you know you’ve got a good footy side. They are on the same page.
“It’s not the end of the world for West Coast by the way. They’ve got players to come back in.
“They’ll be fine, they’ll still contend, but all the credit last night to Richmond. They were superb.”
The win allowed Richmond to move into the top four as they look ahead to Wednesday night’s clash with Fremantle.
The Eagles have dropped out of the four but will look to slide back in when they meet Essendon at the Gabba on Tuesday night.
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