Official Match Preview Thread Round 2 versus Richmond

[Ricketts]

If we win, what will it mean for you lot?

4 fewer premiership points we finish ahead of 3rd by?

 

[SJ]

Firstly, I apologise for the lateness of this preview.
​

2009 AFL Premiership Season - Round 2

Geelong v Richmond

________________________________________________________________________________________
2:10PM AEDT Saturday, April 4 2009
Skilled Stadium, Geelong
​

Media coverage:
Television:
Victoria: 14:00 Fox Sports 1

Radio:
Victoria: ABC774, K-Rock, 3AW

Last week
Friday night frustrated me.

However, let’s not forget we played the reigning premiers in Round 1, took the four points, and didn’t suffer any (significant) injuries. In any other season we’d be rapt with this result.

We effectively broke the Hawthorn zone down for three quarters and capitalised in terms of finding space inside 50, with 33 scores at the final change. To this point, Franklin and Roughead had been suffocated through disciplined play from the midfield and defence. Realistically, Geelong could have had at least 20 goals by the final interval and gone in with a big, big lead.

In reality, it was only six goals and Hawthorn came hard in the last stanza. They got a sniff and played long and direct, exposing Lonergan and Taylor to the Hawthorn key forwards. Pleasingly, we were able to right the ship and halt the charge, playing sensible footy in the final five minutes of play to win by eight points.

Probable changes
It’s hard to imagine a great number of changes will occur following the Hawthorn win. There has been a lot of talk in the media (‘Tommy Ache’, screamed the backpage of the Sun) and on the Geelong Board of having one T Hawkins come into the side. Whether this is as a direct replacement for Lonergan, or at the expense of another position, will remain to be seen.

With a few players out with injury, Geelong only has a handful of players who are not ‘locks’ in the current side. One of these is Varcoe. Although he played a hand in a number of scoring chances last week, once again he didn’t crack double figures in terms possessions and can seem lost at times. In saying that, Varcoe appears to be a project player for Thompson and I’d be surprised if he lost his spot.

Our defence
No Egan, no Harley, no Hunt. Scarlett proppy. Let’s hope we don’t lose another.

If Hawkins comes in and Lonergan keeps his place, I’m sure will be used down back on occasions. If not, then the usual suspects will take the roles. Scarlett and Taylor to hold down the key positions, with Milburn, Mackie, Enright and Wojcinski to run off the flanks.

It seems that with couple of holes in defence, a midfielder or two is also being rotated through the backline to add an older body and a level head in a contest and on the rebound. Currently Corey and Kelly are fulfilling for these roles from time to time.

Our forward line
Speaking of holes, there is now a big one in the right forward pocket, River end. Just the thing we need for our kicking yips – a westerly sweeping across the goal mouth in front of the Wade Stand.

I’ve said it before (the first time after a narrow win Round 3 last year against Melbourne – a match that had a similar build up to this Saturday) and I’ll say it again – can we try to not be as selfless this week? I heard Thompson say preseason he thinks we can be even less selfish. I hope not.

I think it breeds doubt when needing to take responsibility and kick a goal. If Mooney marks 30 out early in the first quarter, when the pressure is all but off, I hope he goes back and kicks it. And ends up kicking six straight for the match. If he passes to a man in the goal square, eventually when he does take his (somewhat unwanted) first shot I feel an element of doubt will creeps into his mind which he struggles to shake for the remainder of game. Especially if it is significantly later and at a more crucial moment.

But, for some reason, I expect a more productive day in front of goal this Saturday. I feel Chapman loves playing Richmond and Mooney looked good in his first outing for the year last week (bar a few wayward kicks). Gamble was lively as well, and with Hawkins and Lonergan possibly both playing on Saturday, at times we may three talls in the forward line, much like we did in early 2007 (with Mooney, Nathan Ablett and Lonergan) to great effect.

I don’t expect it, but I’d love it if the boys went back and had a ping from a set shot anywhere inside 50. The best players do it. And it is a good habit to get into, as in the big games, another option is much more difficult to find.

Richmond
Ah, the Tiges. No doubt there will be pressure for Wallace to swing the axe this week. Last week was an opening round nightmare at The ‘G, with the degree of pre-match hype only bettered by the levels of indecision, error and injury. Two changes are forced – Cousins and Raines have medium-term injuries – and more are likely to come, with regularly-maligned Tigers in McMahon, Schulz and Edwards in the firing line. Richmond is likely to name some new blood in an effort to ignite some passion in the belly; with promising youngster Alex Rance, alongside others, a big chance to debut.

Richardson
Last week Waite was played on Richardson, with great effect. Although Richardson got plenty ball, however Waite hurt him the other way, with three early goals. If Richardson plays in a floating midfield role again once again this week, it wouldn’t surprise me if Mackie or similar tries to do similar, with a couple of others rotating across the afternoon.

The young Tiger talls
From what I have seen over the past couple of years, I like the look of the young Richmond forward talls. Morton and Riewoldt (and, to some extent, Hughes – although he is out of the side at the moment) have shown glimpses of talent, however they are raw. Last week, Morton played a lone hand up forward against Carlton, taking eight grabs and kicking four goals. He plays significantly taller than he stands (186cm) and looks a player. Riewoldt wasn’t as lively but took seven marks and kicked a major – certainly not the worst on an awful night.

Match-ups are hard to predict without knowing the way Richmond will structure their forward line, backing up after a 14 goal loss. Taylor seems right for little Riewoldt. If Morton is playing as the other tall, then you’d expect Scarlett to shut him down and run off him all day. However if things are changed up, with Richardson starting inside 50 and Morton playing across half-forward, expect Mackie or Milburn to have a first crack at Morton, with Scarlett on Richardson.

Final thoughts
Saturday 2:10PM at Kardinia Park. Doesn’t get any better than that for mine. Seems like footy weather will be back too, with wind, clouds and isolated showers complementing a predicted top of 20C.

You’d expect Richmond to come out at their maximum intensity – ‘beware the wounded Tiger’. If the wind is swirly (particularly at the Wade Stand end) and rain falls, it may be tighter than some may expect. Although things have changed since then, Richmond did knock us off on our home turf in 2006. Also, I think Geelong’s game plan doesn’t suit Skilled Stadium as much as other venues.

However, in saying all of this, the hardened bodies of the Cats midfield will be too big and strong for the Tiger cubs. Richmond, on the whole, have a team of ‘outside’ midfielders (with apologies to Foley) and if there is a wet footy, don’t expect many Tigers to rush and put their head over it. Ottens and Blake should smack the out-of-touch Simmonds and second-gamer Browne in the centre and around the ground, giving the ABCS (Ablett, Bartel, Corey and Selwood) first use of the ball. Chapman and Johnson should create havoc across half-forward, and Ling will probably take Foley.

Geelong by 42 points.

​

 

[BlueNWhite]

Sensational read SJ, good stuff.

 

[hamG]

There is something about their Morton which doesn't look quite right to me. He was given up by west coast for next to nothing and for a young forward to be of little value to a team with no forwards at all says a bit. Someone like Enright would absolutely shut his slow leads down and destroy him on rebound up the field.

 

[ZosoCat]

what is the total attendance at skilled stadium this year before the newer stand is constructed? Also without reading this thread is the game sold out or close to it? It should be with a large drawing melbourne club.

 

[BlueNWhite]

what is the total attendance at skilled stadium this year before the newer stand is constructed? Also without reading this thread is the game sold out or close to it? It should be with a large drawing melbourne club.

There are only scattered single reserved seats available on ticketmaster for this game, so the game is definitely very close to sold out.

 

[CF]

Great work on the preview S "THD" J

 

[fpm84]

Anybody predicting 80+ point wins is just crazy, if you ask me. We've had these kind of games before - the "how much will they win by?" games - and they're always fizzers. See: round 3 v Melbourne last year.

Wallace will have Richmond fired up, and a lot of their good players eg Deledio, Brown were extremely quiet last week and will certainly put in better showings on Saturday.

On top of that, their forward line has a bit of potency with Richo, Brown, Riewoldt etc and our defence is in the worst shape it's been in for a couple of years with no Harley/Hunt and question marks over Scarlo.

Cats by 34, but it won't be a cakewalk.

 

[thejester]

There is something about their Morton which doesn't look quite right to me. He was given up by west coast for next to nothing and for a young forward to be of little value to a team with no forwards at all says a bit. Someone like Enright would absolutely shut his slow leads down and destroy him on rebound up the field.

My understanding was that Morton essentially walked out on the Eagles - thought he should have been an automatic selection in the seniors, wasn't, and so looked elsewhere. Don't think you can really suggest he's a bad player, whilst hardly a superstar he's pretty consistent and is shaping as one of the league's better medium forwards. I'm actually worried as to who will match up on him.

 

[Catdog]

Great stuff on your preview S"THD"J
Very enjoyable read and informative.
Thanx mate

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

Geelong by 45points.

 

[James1970]

Ottens and Blake should smack the out-of-touch Simmonds and second-gamer Browne in the centre and around the ground, giving the ABCS (Ablett, Bartel, Corey and Selwood) first use of the ball.

.

Really looking forward to the game, especially if it's pouring, as we know it brings out the best in Bartel and Selwood.

 

[Tiger67]

Just placed a bet on this game...... Had to back the Cats by 82 points just to get even money.
Also put a fiver on the Tiges over 39.5 at $42.00 because i believe in miracles.
Nice to see that those over here on the Geelong board show such dignity.
Supporters of a few other clubs could learn a lot from those down at the cattery.

 

[Brasil2007]

Just placed a bet on this game...... Had to back the Cats by 82 points just to get even money.
Also put a fiver on the Tiges over 39.5 at $42.00 because i believe in miracles.
Nice to see that those over here on the Geelong board show such dignity.
Supporters of a few other clubs could learn a lot from those down at the cattery.

I think a lot of Cats supporters can sympathise with the Tigers. Personally, I like seeing the Tigers win (as long as they aren't playing the Cats). Love the genuine passion they show too. Plus you have a very fine song which even as a neutral supporter you almost HAVE to sing along with.

Hopefully my fellow Cats supporters going to the game tomorrow will be a bit gentle on the Tigers supporters going down - anyone making the trip, given the conditions, their performance last week, and their record at Skilled (3 wins in over 25 years) really is a trooper. Besides, my brother will be one of them

 

[PHX]

Where the hell did you get a +82 line Tiger67? +42 for even money is the best I can see. Can get Richmond 60+ for $126s.

I'm not sure if I should be, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Can anyone give me a quick profile on Hogan? Seems to be well liked but I must say I know sweet FA about him except of a snippit or two I saw of him in the NAB cup.

 

[hamG]

Can anyone give me a quick profile on Hogan? Seems to be well liked but I must say I know sweet FA about him except of a snippit or two I saw of him in the NAB cup.

Athletic winger, bit of a long term project. Good at everything without standing out, waiting to see what impact he has at the top level.

 

[Vegas.]

Can anyone give me a quick profile on Hogan? Seems to be well liked but I must say I know sweet FA about him except of a snippit or two I saw of him in the NAB cup.

He was our final pick in the 06 draft (Hawkins, Selwood, Djerkurra, Hogan I'm pretty sure) from the Geelong Falcons as what was largely viewed as a token local selection. Skinny and short, he was a project player to say the very least. Didn't do a whole lot in 07, but obviously put on some bulk and learned some stuff off guys like Pris whom he was playing regular footy with. In 08 he was one of our more consistent players all year in the VFL, named in the best almost every week without fail. Was named as an emergency for the AFL side on a number of occasions but never got a gig.

Average sized mid who is pretty quick, hard at it and has good while not yet outstanding skills. Can play all over the ground, probably spent his entire first year as a small forward.

Showed good signs in the NAB cup, and has earned his call up. Plenty of love for him around here because he was never given a free pass to the seniors, he has fought for it.

 

[Vegas.]

Question for you PHX... Why the HELL is Adam Thomson not playing for you guys?

 

[coke_zero]

good luck to geelong tommorow, but hopefully the tiges come away with the points

 

[vinum coupe]

He was our final pick in the 06 draft (Hawkins, Selwood, Djerkurra, Hogan I'm pretty sure) from the Geelong Falcons as what was largely viewed as a token local selection. Skinny and short, he was a project player to say the very least. Didn't do a whole lot in 07, but obviously put on some bulk and learned some stuff off guys like Pris whom he was playing regular footy with. In 08 he was one of our more consistent players all year in the VFL, named in the best almost every week without fail. Was named as an emergency for the AFL side on a number of occasions but never got a gig.

Average sized mid who is pretty quick, hard at it and has good while not yet outstanding skills. Can play all over the ground, probably spent his entire first year as a small forward.

Showed good signs in the NAB cup, and has earned his call up. Plenty of love for him around here because he was never given a free pass to the seniors, he has fought for it.

What an awesome write up

 

[BIGANT]

Cats to win ugly...similar circumstances to last yr's wet conditions at the G' against the Tiges....f___k i hate these ugly games
Especially leading into blockbuster mk 2....

 

[re cat]

Just for those with Fox the broadcast starts at 1.30pm.

Extra 1/2 hour pre-match.

 

[CF]

Just for those with Fox the broadcast starts at 1.30pm.

Extra 1/2 hour pre-match.

I will have to set the machine to tape it

 

[Cohzee]

People seem to be assuming that it will be wet tomorrow. BoM says showers clearing, Geelong being Geelong, it won't rain at all. Did it even rain in Geelong today?

 

[Vegas.]

People seem to be assuming that it will be wet tomorrow. BoM says showers clearing, Geelong being Geelong, it won't rain at all. Did it even rain in Geelong today?

Nope.