Tigers Roar Early, But Sicily’s Hawks Strike Late in a Milestone Thriller
Richmond coach Adem Yze stood by vice-captain Tim Taranto after a fiery second-quarter melee saw the midfielder concede a 50-metre penalty and a goal for knocking over Hawthorn skipper James Sicily. Yze acknowledged the penalty but applauded Taranto’s instinct to defend young teammate Maurice Rioli Jnr, who had been roughed up by Sicily moments earlier. “I’d rather him go in and support his teammate than hang back,” Yze said.
The incident ignited a scuffle involving players from both teams, with normally composed Hawk Jarman Impey unusually fired up. Post-game, Impey downplayed the confrontation, calling it a heat-of-the-moment exchange. Meanwhile, Hawks coach Sam Mitchell focused on the club’s centenary celebration and lauded his side’s physical, commanding 65-point win, noting it as a testament to the team’s growing maturity and potential in 2025.