Preview Round 8: Port Adelaide V Richmond @ Adelaide Oval - Sunday 4.40pm, 24/05/15

[_RT_]

Round 8 vs Port Power

Richmond: 3-4 10th position
Port: 3-4 12th position

Last Time We Met:
Elimination Final
Port 20.12.132 def Richmond 11.9.75

Key Players
Richmond:
Brett Deledio

Last 4 games against Port Brett has averaged 27.5 disposals 6 marks 3 tackles. After a quiet game against the Roos last week Deledio showed just how valuable he is to our fortunes with a game for the ages against the Pies. Picking up a rare triple double with 17 kicks 13 marks 13 handballs as well as kicking 2.2. Hopefully that form can continue on this week against the Power.

Jack Riewoldt

In Jacks last 4 games against Port he has averaged 15 disposals 7 marks 4.3 goals a game. Against the Pies Jack looked to be back to his best form 17 disposals 8 marks and 4 goals and he ran his opponents ragged as he roamed far and wide to get his touches. With a 3 tall forward set up in play Jack can no longer be sat on by the opposition.

Brandon Ellis

In Brandons 4 games against the Power he has averaged 22.5 disposals 7 marks and 3 tackles. Against a hard running Power side the run of Ellis is going to be important and we saw him getting back to his gut running best against the Pies as he collected 29 disposals and provided the link between defence and attack.

Dustin Martin

Last 4 games against Port Dusty averages 24.5 disposals 6 marks. Dusty has been a little quieter in his games this year but is still getting his hands on the ball. Against the Pies we saw a few glimpses of Dusty of old trying to fend guys off and take the game on. All that is missing at the moment is Dusty hitting the scoreboard, but with him Cotchin and Deledio resting up forward instead of the bench it shouldn’t be long.

Trent Cotchin

Last 3 games against Port have seen Cotchin averaging 24.3 disposals 3 marks & 4 tackles. Against the Pies we saw Trent get back to his game winning best. Throwing himself into contests, winning contested footy and setting the standard for his teammates to follow. This is the Trent Cotchin that we need as the captain of the club, leading from the front and demanding that the rest follow.

Port

Travis Boak

The Port Captain has been dominant against Richmond in his last 4 games against us averaging 29.5 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles. If we are to win this game Boak is someone that we are going to have to pay attention to and not let him dictate the game.

Kane Cornes

Playing his 300th and final game before retirement, Cornes has averaged 26.5 disposals 7 marks & 4 tackles over his last 4 against us. Being the first Power player to reach the 300 game milestone I fully expect Port to do everything in their Power to send him off on a positive note. I also expect Cornes to be primed to take 1 last scalp which is likely to be Cotchin.

Jay Schulz

The former Tiger has enjoyed playing against us in recent times averaging 13 disposal 8 marks and 3 goals over the last 4. This year Schulz has been a little hot and cold, in 4 of his games he has totalled only 4 goals, in the other 3 he has kicked 14. Keeping him to a 1-2 goal game will go a fair way to helping us win this one.

Brad Ebert

His last 4 games against us haven’t been huge games only averaging 19 disposals 3 marks & 5 tackles, but Ebert is a player who when up and running is capable of getting big numbers and doing some real damage with them. In a game that is likely to be decided by whose midfield gets on top he is another we have to pay attention to.

Robbie Gray

His last 3 games haven’t been that great against us only averaging 18 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles and 2 goals. But don’t be fooled, Gray has taken his game to a new level over the last 18 months and he can hurt sides with a handful of possessions up forward or can open them up running through the midfield.

Where Can Richmond Win The Game

First and foremost is not allowing the occasion get to us. Cornes’ 300th and last game will see Port fired up and ready to put in a performance similar to last years Elimination Final to send Cornes off with a big win. The crowd will be pumped and the Power will hit us with everything early on, much like the final last year. We need to be ready for that and act accordingly.

When the game does settle down the next key for us to win the game is to play like we did for the last 3 quarters against the Pies and that is take the game on, run in waves when attacking and push back hard when defending. At our best our run and carry can match it with and beat Port. Last years game at Etihad, the Chaplin game, showed that we can do it.

Where Can Port Win The Game

As mentioned they will have no bigger reason to win than to send off a club legend with a win. However, they can’t simply rely on that emotion to get them over the line. Against the Lions they were poor and were beaten by a side that was more desperate to win. Port needs to get back to their manic hard running best and put us under pressure as everyone knows that if you put us under enough pressure we will fold.


Possible Richmond Line Up

Out: McBean Menadue
In: Griffiths Edwards

B: Batchelor Rance Elton
HB: Houli Chaplin Vlastuin
C: B.Ellis Cotchin McIntosh
HB: Miles Griffiths Martin
F: Vickery Riewoldt Deledio
R: Maric Grigg Edwards
INT: Grimes Hunt Morris C.Ellis

Prediction:

With both sides 3-4 and outside the 8 it shapes as a massive game for both side. Add Cornes 300th to the mix and Ports unexpected loss to Brisbane as well and I expect to come out hard and try and get the jump on us and put us under immense pressure from the first bounce. If we can handle that pressure early on and can get our game up and running like we did against the Pies this game shapes as a cracker. Hopefully this time next week it would be nice to be sitting here having spoilt their celebration much the same way they spoiled Richos 250th.

Tigers by 16 points.

 

[sante]

Another good preview!


We need to start well. It's stating the obvious but it'll be important.

I just hope we continue on our form from today and the players have gained the confidence to play the way we did for most of today.

 

[Equus]

If there are any Melbourne based supporters heading west to the great unwashed land of Radelaide, you're in for a treat. Adelaide Oval is an amazing stadium.

Having said that. This is a game that we cannot afford to lose. We need to make amends for our poor start and last year horrifying elimination final. It's a place of nightmare and with the added pressure of Kane Cornes 300th retirement game, Port will be like Hawks v Melbourne - out for retribution.

Take a stand and be brave. We need to win this.

 

[_RT_]

If there are any Melbourne based supporters heading west to the great unwashed land of Radelaide, you're in for a treat. AAMI Stadium is an amazing stadium.

Having said that. This is a game that we cannot afford to lose. We need to make amends for our poor start and last year horrifying elimination final. It's a place of nightmare and with the added pressure of Kane Cornes 300th retirement game, Port will be like Hawks v Melbourne - out for retribution.

Take a stand and be brave. We need to win this.

Adelaide Oval you mean

 

[Equus]

Adelaide Oval you mean

You're right. lol

 

[Tigerforlife78]

If there are any Melbourne based supporters heading west to the great unwashed land of Radelaide, you're in for a treat. Adelaide Oval is an amazing stadium.

Having said that. This is a game that we cannot afford to lose. We need to make amends for our poor start and last year horrifying elimination final. It's a place of nightmare and with the added pressure of Kane Cornes 300th retirement game, Port will be like Hawks v Melbourne - out for retribution.

Take a stand and be brave. We need to win this.

Ill be at the Little pub on Hindley for a good 3 hours before the game for anyone who wants to meet up that comes across or lives here, might even dye my mowhawk yellow so you blokes know who i am without asking

 

[bananatigz]

Good Preview!!

As for changes i'd go for something like this

Out: McBean, Morris, Batchelor, Menadue
In: Griffiths, McDonough, Conca, Edwards

McBean presented alright I thought but was always going to find it tough in his first game to have a real impact. Morris simply not up to AFL standard at the moment and whatever way you spin it he is a liability. I've thought Batch's form has dropped off the last few weeks and thought he was pretty poor today honestly, with Grimes back and playing down back not sure we need him down back, send him back to find the form he showed early in the season. Menadue a bit rough after being the sub in his first game but better players to come in and isn't best 22 at this stage, will be better for the experience. I'd give Elton another shot, no real difference between what he showed today and what Astbury has been giving us.

Griff and Edwards are obvious ins if fit. McDonough showed today in the VFL what a good forward he could be if given the chance, upgrade on Morris x1000. Conca still getting up to the speed of things with his disposal and stuff but had a good game today and is in our best 22.

B: Grimes, Elton, Chaplin
HB: Houli, Rance, Vlastuin
C: B.Ellis, Cotchin, Grigg
HF: Deledio, Griffiths, McDonough
F: Martin, Reiwoldt, Vickery
R: Maric, Miles, Edwards
I: Hunt, Conca, McIntosh, C.Ellis

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

I can't see Griff coming straight back.
I thought we functioned well today.
Titch obviously straight back and Menadue having gained a great experience today back for a good four quarter game in the VFL.
I'm itching to get conca back but probably won't be back yet.
I see only one change.
Big opportunity for us to carry the belief gained today into a match against a good team who have been off for a bit.
Tough game but if we can hit the ground running we are a huge chance.
Shaun Grigg is in monstrous form and is of massive importance on Boak if that's the match up.
I regard Boak as nearly the best player going around.
Could really get the season rolling here if we are up for it.
Go tigers.

 

[DrMike]

Haven't lost a H&A game against Port since 2011. We didn't lose to them during finals because they were better, we lost because it was finals. Richmond by 30 points.

 

[Bobblefighter]

Tough one. We're really gonna have to motor out of the gates, cause Port are going to be breathing fire after that loss. Wish they flogged the Lions instead, get them overconfident.

 

[DrMike]

Not sure about Griffiths now

Round 4 - 70% TOG
Round 5 - Out injured
Round 6 - 21% TOG
Round 7 - Out injured

 

[Groupie_]

Haven't lost a H&A game against Port since 2011. We didn't lose to them during finals because they were better, we lost because it was finals. Richmond by 30 points.

We lost because of the wind bro

 

[Groupie_]

Tough one. We're really gonna have to motor out of the gates, cause Port are going to be breathing fire after that loss. Wish they flogged the Lions instead, get them overconfident.

Should get our players up knowing that they got flogged by the bears (whom we spanked by 80)

 

[Tigerbob]

I'd have the two changes.

Shane Edwards in for Steve Morris.
Matt McDonough in for Taylor Hunt.

Like Menadue and he got involved in the brief time he had on. His pace and run will be needed against this Port outfit. The game suits his skill set I feel.

Taylor Hunts form has steadily gone backwards after his surprise round one game. His kicking skills have become seriously bad and I think he's due a spell at VFL level to work on a few issues. Yep he's a good runner but so is Menadue who I would directly replace him with on the field.

I think the forward line worked brilliantly for the first time in a long time. So why change it?

McBean is a hard match up. You put a big gorilla on him and he will eat him up with his agility. Someone too small and his height will become a factor. He's also very smart. Him and Jack work well together. Vickery deserves another game and his performance both up forward and in the ruck is exactly what we needed. Shane Edwards comes in to play that small forward role and have Deledio and the other mids to rotate. It's a potentially great forward line.

As always, game is won or lost in the midfield. Cotchin, Martin, Miles in the guts will need to go again. Big Ivy needs to be that warrior again.

The name of this game will be run. To add McDonough and Edwards in as rotations and Menadue and McIntosh with Brandon Ellis on the outside and we have the Weapons.

Ports confidence shot, they will lift for Cornes though. Big game. Big game.

 

[Groupie_]

Port rushing back Wines for this one

smasha

 

[DrMike]

Taylor Hunts form has steadily gone backwards after his surprise round one game. His kicking skills have become seriously bad and I think he's due a spell at VFL level to work on a few issues. Yep he's a good runner but so is Menadue who I would directly replace him with on the field.

Hunt was better this week but the last few weeks carrying an injury. That said he shouldn't be in the squad if he's not 100%, pretty simple.

 

[Tigerbob]

Hunt was better this week but the last few weeks carrying an injury. That said he shouldn't be in the squad if he's not 100%, pretty simple.

His kicking today and over the last few weeks has been diabolical. I'm weeding out the really poor kicks. Grigg has improved so much in this aspect which has made him a much better player.

You need all players to be good kicks and hit more targets than they miss. We still have too many that are bad kicks. Taylor is one of them.

 

[TheDyerLegacy]

McDonough will play.. back in his home state.. will kick 5.

 

[DrMike]

His kicking today and over the last few weeks has been diabolical. I'm weeding out the really poor kicks. Grigg has improved so much in this aspect which has made him a much better player.

You need all players to be good kicks and hit more targets than they miss. We still have too many that are bad kicks. Taylor is one of them.

Hunt normally plays what, Wing/HBF? This is from today:

You have to play McDonough forward or it's a waste of talent, same for Edwards. Lennon might be able to play there, or you could push Lids back but that's an even bigger blight than McDonough played back.

Unless you're going to rely on C. Ellis pushing Hunt out?

 

[Tigerbob]

Hunt normally plays what, Wing/HBF? This is from today:

You have to play McDonough forward or it's a waste of talent, same for Edwards. Lennon might be able to play there, or you could push Lids back but that's an even bigger blight than McDonough played back.

Unless you're going to rely on C. Ellis pushing Hunt out?

Menadue

 

[DrMike]

Menadue

Not sure he's ready honestly

 

[telsor]

Not sure about Griffiths now

Round 4 - 70% TOG
Round 5 - Out injured
Round 6 - 21% TOG
Round 7 - Out injured

Not like they were similar/related injuries, so I'm not so concerned about any 'trend'.

 

[Tigerbob]

Not sure he's ready honestly

Showed competitive nature when he came on. As explained in my first post, his running capacity and pace as well as the added bonus he can kick the thing well, I think this game would suit him to a tee.

Also it's about blooding these kids now. Get them that exposure. Sure they will make errors but it fast tracks their development. He's proven to be a standout at the level below, played a very good quarter I thought.

This is my opinion on what should be done.

 

[DrMike]

Not like they were similar/related injuries, so I'm not so concerned about any 'trend'.

Not that, I just think he needs game time

 

[telsor]

Well, Cornes will be playing, so that's 1 guy who, but both his and his coaches admission isn't in their best 22. Something to exploit there.