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Adelaide Crows v Richmond Tigers: 2017 AFL grand final – live!

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6.28am BST06:28

Q2 06:00 remaining – Adelaide 4.6 (30) v Richmond 4.4 (28)

Adelaide just a few inches off with their handballs in close, inviting Richmond’s ferocious pressure. A couple of free-kicks go their way though until there’s a stoppage underneath the the left behind post.

Richmond clear their lines, Martin unfurls a few rapid hand-offs, at least one to thin air, like a kid using all his special moves at once on Mortal Kombat. He is a force of nature.


6.24am BST06:24

Q2 08:00 remaining – Adelaide 4.6 (30) v Richmond 4.4 (28)

Adelaide’s big men are having a mixed day. Jacobs is dominating in the ruck but Jenkins and Walker and failing to make any impact further forward.

Superb football from Laird to cut off the Richmond attack and set up Adelaide but the Tigers force a turnover of their own and earn repeat throw-ins deep in their forward 50. Adelaide defend well but as soon as they clear their lines Rance cuts off the attack and sets up the counter.

Another entry inside-50 sees Lever pinged for holding Townsend. He has a set shot from 45m out on a decent angle – and he nails it!

Adelaide Crows
(@Adelaide_FC)

Townsend gets a free kick for holding, and he converts for the Tigers. It’s a two-point game, 18 minutes gone 2nd qtr #AFLGF #weflyasone

September 30, 2017


6.20am BST06:20

Q2 11:00 remaining – Adelaide 4.6 (30) v Richmond 3.4 (22)

Sloane and Rance exchange contested marks – both have been instrumental so far – but neither side can control possession as that shower takes its toll.

Another long run of stoppages slightly on Adelaide’s terms comes to little until Richmond finally burst free. It’s in Martin’s hands and he picks out Lambert superbly but inexplicably the Tiger plays on instead of going back and taking the shot. His forced pass to Houli is smuggled out of play by Betts and from the stoppage Adelaide accept the rushed behind. Let off for the Crows.


6.15am BST06:15

Q2 13:30 remaining – Adelaide 4.6 (30) v Richmond 3.3 (21)

As with the opening quarter the pattern feels like it’s settling into the game being played on Richmond’s terms. The big tackles are Richmond’s, the pressure is hardest from the yellow guernseys and the bursts of noice from the crowd are from the Tiger army.

Adelaide’s defence is surefooted though and every so often they clear their lines and look like scoring whenever they go forward. It took all Rance’s desperation to cut off a certain six-points, but the Crows keep the pressure on until Walker lines up from deep in the right forward pocket that is shanked abysmally but eventually lands for a behind.


6.11am BST06:11

Q2 16:40 remaining – Adelaide 4.4 (28) v Richmond 3.3 (21)

Richmond’s first possession of the quarter is slick and the ball goes end to end swiftly until it reaches the waiting hands of Riewoldt. His third makable set shot of the day gets there! Just… It goes upstairs but Adelaide’s slipshod defending is too slow to get a fingertip to the snap that only just had enough purchase to earn the six points. Jack’s on the board.


6.09am BST06:09

Q2 18:00 remaining – Adelaide 4.4 (28) v Richmond 2.3 (15)

A much more stoppage heavy start to the second quarter, played mostly on Adelaide’s terms. Betts snaps a point and Richmond can’t clear their lines. Sloane picks it off and feeds Lynch 35m out pretty straight but he makes an almighty mess of the set shot.

Houli went down the race briefly but he’s back on the bench.

Ooh, a shower’s passing through. That’ll make things interesting.


6.06am BST06:06

Not much to mention stats wise.

Richmond lead the free-kick count 9-5.

Matt Crouch leads all-comers with 10 touches.

Laird has four marks and nine disposals.


6.04am BST06:04

Curious opening quarter. Richmond probably the better side but Adelaide are two goals ahead.

The Tigers haven’t been able to fashion much space inside 50 and the Crows’ backline have read the game well and not panicked under immense pressure.

At the other end it’s all been about Jacobs’ tap work and Adelaide reading the drop of the ball front and square.

Richmond FC
(@Richmond_FC)

Scenes at Punt Road Oval 🙌#AFLGF #gotiges pic.twitter.com/4IwYEsBofS

September 30, 2017


6.01am BST06:01

Adelaide lead by 11 at quarter time

QT Adelaide 4.2 (26) v Richmond 2.3 (15)

It’s on at quarter time after Townsend kicks into the man on the mark with a shot after the siren. No punches thrown but plenty of pent up energy from two sides who have delivered a full-blooded opening term.

Jack Riewoldt’s spectacular mark was the highlight of a tight opening quarter of the AFL grand final.

 Jack Riewoldt’s spectacular mark was the highlight of a tight opening quarter of the AFL grand final. Photograph: Matt King/AFL Media/Getty Images


5.58am BST05:58

Q1 01:00 remaining – Adelaide 4.2 (26) v Richmond 2.3 (15)

Adelaide are evening up the ledger in midfield again after 10-15 minutes of Richmond domination. Another centre clearance gives them territorial advantage and forces Rance to concede a rushed behind.

A ball-up inside 50m lands Adelaide’s way and yet again it’s a Crow front and centre, Greenwood I think, who collects the superb ruckwork from Jacobs and he slaps through another goal.


5.55am BST05:55

Q1 02:00 remaining – Adelaide 3.1 (19) v Richmond 2.3 (15)

Deliberate out of bounds in favour of the Crows 60m out allows Douglas to load up. He hits the top of the square, a pack forms, and Sloane is front and square to snap Adelaide back in front.

Old fashioned footy. Works sometimes.


5.53am BST05:53

Q1 02:30 remaining – Adelaide 2.1 (13) v Richmond 2.3 (15)

Centre clearance win for Richmond maintains the pressure. More incredible from the Tigers sends Adelaide scrambling but a free kick gives them respite. They can’t do anything with it other than clear their lines though but they’ll just be happy to see the pill in Tiger defensive territory for a while.


5.51am BST05:51

Q1 04:00 remaining – Adelaide 2.1 (13) v Richmond 2.3 (15)

After that early burst from Adelaide, Richmond have looked the more likely of the two teams. Tackles are being stuck allover the place, even Riewoldt running men down.

The umpires somehow pick a free against Cameron during a brutal passage of footy in Adelaide’s right forward pocket that again shifts the momentum Richmond’s way. A Hartigan mark settles things down.

But not for long. Richmond’s pressure is ferocious! Tackle and tackle, forcing fumbles and loose passes. Entries inside 50 come and come and eventually Houli has enough space to stick his left boot behind one that soars through the big sticks and puts the Tigers in front.

Bachar Houli celebrates his goal in the first quarter.

 Bachar Houli celebrates his goal in the first quarter. Photograph: Matt King/AFL Media/Getty Images

Updated
at 6.25am BST


5.47am BST05:47

Q1 07:00 remaining – Adelaide 2.1 (13) v Richmond 1.3 (9)

Big moment in the quarter with Adelaide set to attack from a free-kick but a quick play on results in an immediate tackle. Richmond counterattack at pace and the Crows defence doesn’t have time to regroup leading to Josh Caddy snapping the first goal in yellow and black for the day.


5.46am BST05:46

Q1 08:00 remaining – Adelaide 2.1 (13) v Richmond 0.3 (3)

Tigers back on the attack but again they can’t find the penetrating pass. Talia cuts the latest entry off from Houli and the Crows rebound.

Adelaide can’t get much momentum though with the Tigers cutting off the corridor and forcing the Crows along the flanks.


5.43am BST05:43

Q1 10:30 remaining – Adelaide 2.1 (13) v Richmond 0.3 (3)

Finally Adelaide get the ball forward and they move it beautifully through their lines until Vlaustin picks off a smart intercept. He coughed it up to Jacobs 60m out though and the Crows eventually find Riley Knight on an angle but he misses to the skinny side.


5.41am BST05:41

Q1 12:30 remaining – Adelaide 2.0 (12) v Richmond 0.3 (3)

Adelaide can’t clear their lines and Riewoldt takes a straightforward mark in the opposite pocket from the first but again he can’t get his lines right.

The Crows cannot clear their lines. Richmond pinning them in their defensive 50 and Riewoldt again kicks a behind.

Bad news for the Crows after Cameron went down heavily in a tackle. He’s struggling on the wrong side of the boundary. Looks like a knock to the calf.


5.38am BST05:38

Q1 14:50 remaining – Adelaide 2.0 (12) v Richmond 0.1 (1)

Speccy from Riewoldt! That is one for the ages. The Tiger leapt over two opponents and took a chest mark about seven feet off the ground.

45m out on an angle the set shot misses on the near side after the expected breeze fails to take hold.

Richmond FC
(@Richmond_FC)

An #AFLGF-worthy fly from @JackRiewoldt08. A special mark, but he can’t convert.

🐯1 🅰️12 #AFLGF #gotiges

September 30, 2017


5.36am BST05:36

Q1 15:50 remaining – Adelaide 2.0 (12) v Richmond 0.0 (0)

Two in the blink of an eye for the Crows! Betts, the oldest man on the ground, crumbs after Adelaide won the centre clearance and Nick Vlaustin fumbled in his goal square.


5.34am BST05:34

Q1 16:20 remaining – Adelaide 1.0 (6) v Richmond 0.0 (0)

Laird and Cameron have been busy for Adelaide which will please Pyke. The Crows think they’ve marked inside 50 but it isn’t paid, not that it matters too much as Adelaide’s pressure secures the ball in attacking territory and it’s eventually recycled to Sloane in space 40m out straight in front.

Adelaide’s number nine steps back and slots the opening goal of the 2017 granny.

Rory Sloane of the Crows celebrates kicking the opening goal.

 Rory Sloane of the Crows celebrates kicking the opening goal. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/AFL Media/Getty Images

Updated
at 6.26am BST


5.32am BST05:32

Q1 18:00 remaining – Adelaide 0.0 (0) v Richmond 0.0 (0)

As you’d expect, plenty of bumping off the ball and fierce attack at the footy from both teams.

Adelaide have first use but Rance cuts it off and Richmond enjoy the first proper spell of possession, nursing the ball forward until Martin and Rioli break lines and there’s a ball-up inside attacking 50. Free-kick Adelaide who clear their lines.


5.30am BST05:30

Peeeeeeppppppp!!!!!!!

Q1 20:00 remaining – Adelaide 0.0 (0) v Richmond 0.0 (0)

Underway in the 2017 AFL grand final!


5.29am BST05:29

Adelaide win the toss and will kick to the City end in the first quarter.


5.28am BST05:28

Reality TV star Dami Im nails the national anthem. The Crows do that droopy arm starey thing, that’s somehow intimidating, for a few extra seconds after Im’s final bars.


5.26am BST05:26

Brent Harvey walks out to the centre square with the premiership cup. He hands it over to Matthew Richardson and Mark Bickley. One of that latter pair will hand the cup over to the captain of their former side later today.

Updated
at 5.26am BST


5.23am BST05:23

Under ten minutes to go…


5.19am BST05:19

I know it’s nearly the opening bounce, but this comment BTL cannot be allowed to go to waste:

Nene55:


Fevola still has a way to go to beat my Great Grandfather’s kicking feats of 94 yards (84.6 metres) & 84 yards (75.6 metres for a drop kick. He played fir West Adelaide, West Torrens & North Adelaide.


5.17am BST05:17

And here come the Crows, led by Tex Walker with a freshly trimmed Errol Flynn number above his upper lip. The roar for the No1 seeds is deepened with an audible boo from the Richmond fans.

Adelaide are in their home guernsey, dark shorts and hooped socks.

Updated
at 5.21am BST


5.14am BST05:14

As far as prematch hype reels go, this C7 produced, Lleyton Hewitt narrated effort is one of the better ones. Incredible to think what Adelaide have been through in recent years.

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5.14am BST05:14

Richmond’s drummers are striking up a rhythm as the Tigers make their way up the race and out on to the MCG. It’s yellow and back for them (not black and yellow) with white shorts and black socks.

The noise greeting them is deafening.


5.11am BST05:11

Damien Hardwick:


“I’ve been waiting since round six to get this opportunity to come back and play them again. There’s no doubt we go in as underdogs, that’s the harsh reality of it. They’re a fantastic side, they’ve put everyone to the sword, but we give ourselves a chance. If we play our best, we’re capable of beating anyone.”

Don Pyke:


“It’ll be a different week, we’ll embrace the week and we’ll prepare as we always do to come ready to play and perform. As much as we’re pleased with [winning the preliminary final], making the grand final is not what it’s about. It’s about winning a grand final and that’s what we now set our sights on doing.”

Coaches Don Pyke and Damien Hardwick get a taste of what’s to come at the end of the grand final parade.

 Coaches Don Pyke and Damien Hardwick get a taste of what’s to come at the end of the grand final parade. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images


5.10am BST05:10

Personal beef time (yeah, probably not the time or the place, but what the heck).

Mike Brady is surrounded by loads of fans recording him on their smartphones, none of them joining in the actual singalong. Put your phones away for three minutes and you know, actually experience the thing you’re filming first hand.


5.08am BST05:08

Ah, here’s Mike again, live on stage:

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