Tigers devour the Crows to claim the cup in epic AFL grand final
ONE hundred thousand screaming footy fans packed the MCG to watch the Richmond Tigers devour the Adelaide Crows in an epic AFL grand final on Saturday.
Starting as sentimental favourites, the Tigers were hungry to claim their first premiership flag in almost 40 years.
Richmond kicked four unanswered goals in the second quarter, roaring into the lead with 6.4.40 to 4.7.31 over Adelaide at halftime, and they didn’t stop there.
The club continued to dominate through the second half of the match, ending the third quarter leading 11.8.74 to 5.10.40.
The Tigers’ brutal attack was too much for Crows fans, who were seen fleeing the MCG in flocks before the siren, despite Adelaide swooping on the ball and kicking two goals in under one minute in the final quarter.
Two goals in one minute but they're still leaving in droves! @7NewsAdelaide #aflgrandfinal2017 pic.twitter.com/YVTgceKLpW
— Lauren Rose (@laurenrosevj) September 30, 2017
Richmond sealed the deal, however, in front of a crowd of 100,021 people, winning 16.12.108 to 8.12.60.
The players and coach were seen embracing each other and fans crying and hugging strangers as the siren sounded and the club’s theme song rang out through the stadium.
Richmond Tigers win the AFL Grand Final 108-60. #7News pic.twitter.com/2S3OiHvF1P
— 7 News Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) September 30, 2017
.@Richmond_FC hoist the cup as the 2017 premiers. All the details in 7 News after the #AFLGF coverage. #AFLGF #7News pic.twitter.com/AKITglNpTo
— 7 News Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) September 30, 2017
The smashing win brings an end to a 37-year premiership drought for the Tigers, whose last grand final victory was in 1980 when the club defeated Collingwood 159-78.
Dustin Martin was awarded the Norm Smith medal for best on the ground. He is the first player to win both the Norm Smith and Brownlow medal in the same season.
Martin thanked loyal fans for coming out before screaming the club’s colours “yellow and black”.
.@DustinMartin4 wins the 2017 Norm Smith Medal. #AFLGF #7News pic.twitter.com/BHGxpqSpDV
— 7 News Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) September 30, 2017
Pure class ? pic.twitter.com/lqgjWAJ0r3
— Channel 7 (@Channel7) September 30, 2017
37-year Premiership drought broken @Richmond_FC 100-thousand people @MCG incredible scenes.. love the emotion & history @AFL #AFLGF pic.twitter.com/DuBdnGGPC9
— Liam Cox (@LiamCox_TV) September 30, 2017