Round 2, 1996 - Hawthorn vs Richmond

Richmond have notched up win number one on the 1996 AFL season, methodically picking apart Hawthorn at Waverley Park by 47 points.

The Tigers led at every change on their way to an impressive victory, 14.14 (98) to an inaccurate Hawthorn's 6.15 (51).

Richo booted three in a continued show of good form since returning from an ACL injury.

After a disappointing Round 1 loss to Essendon, the Tigers were determined to notch up their first win under new coach Robert Walls, and did so with relative ease against a Hawthorn side that looks well past it compared to their dominant years.

Their side would be bolstered by not only the return of reigning best and fairest winner Wayne Campbell following suspension, but also new recruit from the off-season, Darren Gaspar.

Gaspar joined the club through the Pre-Season Draft and was immediately thrown into the deep end to play on an aging Jason Dunstall, who was uncharacteristically inaccurate in front of goal, booting 2.4 for the day.

Hawthorn were a little unlucky to start the game, hitting the post three times in the first 15 minutes allowing the Tigers to kick away to a 17-point lead at the first break.

Despite the return of Matthew Richardson to the side of the 1996 season, Richmond showed that they still had many avenues to goal, with their first 8 goals of the match all coming from the boot of different players.

By the 20-minute mark of the second term, the Tigers had opened up a 33-point lead and remarkably had also not used their bench at any stage of the first half.

By halfway through the third term the game was over with the Tigers ahead by 40, although it wasn't all good news, with Matthew Knights limping off the ground in the hands of trainers after a very serious ankle injury that would see him ruled out for around half the season.

After the Hawks had brief moments of strong play late in the third, Richmond countered with a three goal to one final term to run out 47 point winners.

In his first game for the year, Wayne Campbell was terrific with 25 disposals, and will all of a sudden have to shoulder more of a heavy load without the leadership of Knights, while up forward, Matthew Richardson booted three goals and took nine marks to continue showing signs that he was going to be a star of the future.

Mark Merenda probably played his best game at AFL level, leading all disposal winners on the ground with 26, while Paul Broderick was also solid with 18 touches and a goal.

Brendon Gale was another of Richmond's tall timber to cause issues for the Hawks defence, kicking a couple of goals and taking 8 marks.

 Stats for the game courtesy of AFL Tables

A Fighting Fury player ratings - click here for explanation

Wayne Campbell	9
Matthew Richardson	9
Mark Merenda	7
Paul Broderick	7
Brendon Gale	7
Justin Charles	6
Ashley Prescott	6
Matthew Knights	6
Michael Gale	5
Nick Daffy	4
Duncan Kellaway	4
Stuart Edwards	4
Darren Gaspar	4
Jamie Tape	3
Matthew Rogers	3
Chris Bond	3
Chris Naish	3
Paul Bulluss	3
Nathan Bower	1
David Bourke	0
Greg Dear	0