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Reimagine Moorabbin
- Aug 17, 2015
- 45,306
- 127,288
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
- Other Teams
- Phi Eagles & Phillies, Liverpool, PAO FC
Previous Meetings:
Round 23, 2017 - Richmond (19.8.122) defeated St.Kilda (12.9.81)
Round 16, 2017 - St.Kilda (21.12.138) defeated Richmond (10.11.71)
Round 22, 2016 - Richmond (6.10.46) lost to St.Kilda (7.13.55)
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Preview
Richmond v St.Kilda
St.Kilda took on Collingwood last Saturday night in the two club's first meeting of the year. St.Kilda led at the main break by a solitary point, but were overrun in the third term by a more polished Collingwood outfit - the Pies running out eventual 28pt winners. Lack of effort over the past few weeks is something you wouldn't be able to label on the Saints. They have been undermanned but fought on valiantly and just weren't good enough in the end.
Richmond travelled to Perth to play the Eagles for their first game at the newly built Optus Stadium. It was first versus second on the AFL ladder, and the Tigers held their own with the in-form Eagles up until half time, but it was the home side who ran away with it in the end, taking top spot from Richmond for the first time all year with a convincing 47 point victory.
Let’s have a look at possible best 22s:
St.Kilda Best 22
B: Jarryn Geary, Nathan J Brown, Dylan Roberton
HB: Jimmy Webster, Jake Carlisle, Shane Savage
C: Ben Long, Koby Stevens, Jack Newnes
HF: Blake Acres, Paddy McCartin, Jack Billings
F: Jade Gresham, Josh Bruce, Tim Membrey
FOLL: Billy Longer, Sebastian Ross, Jack Steven
INT: Jack Steele, Hunter Clark, David Armitage, Jack Sinclair
Richmond Best 22
B: Dylan Grimes, Alex Rance, Nick Vlastuin
HB: Brandon Ellis, David Astbury, Bachar Houli
C: Shaun Grigg, Dustin Martin, Shane Edwards
HF: Kane Lambert, Jack Riewoldt, Daniel Rioli
F: Jacob Townsend, Josh Caddy, Dan Butler
FOLL: Toby Nankervis, Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia
INT: Kamdyn McIntosh, Jack Graham, Nathan Broad, Jason Castagna
Medical Room
St.Kilda returns to the MCG for the first time since Round 23, 2017 when they also faced the Tigers, but will be without key back Nathan Brown who suffered a medial ligament strain late in the third term and is set to miss a couple of weeks. The Tigers appeared to emerge unscathed. Alex Rance came off late in the final term but Richmond coach Damien Hardwick thought the champion defender was fine.
Preview
Persistence has been the key word at Moorabbin over the past week as the Saints try to work their way out of their biggest form slump under coach Alan Richardson. St.Kilda's performances over the past fortnight haven't been a question of effort - moreso the fact that the Saints are a very inexperienced side with some notable omissions - Jake Carlisle, Josh Bruce, and Dylan Roberton being a few of them. Against Collingwood on Saturday night we saw a St.Kilda side who worked tirelessly for each other but again couldn't capitalise on their opportunities and fell away after half time.
In a disappointing night for the club, it was emerging leader Luke Dunstan who worked hard for the Saints, the former South Australian U18 skipper finishing the night with 32 touches - the most of any Saint on the ground. Veteran Jack Newnes was moved to the forward line and had a career best night in front of the sticks, booting four goals to claim the Saints best on ground.
In more positive news, St.Kilda unveiled another debutante for season 2018, their fourth of the year. This time it was Bailey Rice, son of former St.Kilda cult figure Dean Rice. Bailey ran out in his old mans #37 and was serviceable down back, finishing the night with 17 disposals in a solid first outing. Former St.Kilda skipper and teammate of father Dean, Danny Frawley, presented Bailey with his jumper;
Sunday afternoon led us over the Nullarbor where it was the Tigers & Eagles against each other in front of 57,000 fans. A top of the table clash that had everything, Richmond sticking with West Coast until half time and then the home side running away with the 47 point win - moving them to first on the ladder after 9 rounds.
Richmond's midfield group and group of small forwards have been their main go-to this year, and on Sunday it was the usual suspects of Dustin Martin (26 disposals), Jack Riewoldt (13 disp, 5 goals), and Josh Caddy (16 disp, 6 tackles) who were amongst the best for the visitors.
Richmond are one of the most in-form sides in the competition this year, and have only lost games against Adelaide and West Coast (both away), two sides predicted to finish inside the top four. Richmond's beaten Carlton, Hawthorn, Brisbane, Melbourne, Collingwood, Fremantle and North Melbourne. Heading back to the MCG on Saturday afternoon is a big positive for the Tigers, who haven't lost at the MCG since Round 13, 2017 - 13 straight wins at the MCG since that time.
Potential changes
With defender Nathan Brown suffering an MCL injury last Saturday night, the Saints could look to bolster their back six with two possible inclusions. First of which being Jake Carlisle who has recovered from a head knock suffered against Fremantle in Round 8, and the second Brandon White who backed up his dominant showing against Essendon with a prolific 33-disposal performance, taking five marks and standing up well in a backline that was battered by 60 inside 50s. The 21-year-old defender also initiated 12 rebound 50s and is likely to feature heavily in discussions at the selection table.
Key Match-Ups
Midfield Battle
Martin, Cotchin & Caddy against Steven, Ross & Dunstan will be interesting to watch. Obviously the reigning Brownlow medallist and former Brownlow medallist in Martin & Cotchin are going to cause massive headaches for the Saints midfield group. A break even in this area of the ground would be considered a win for the Saints in many respects.
Rance v Membrey/Marshall
Alex Rance is without question the best backman in the AFL right now and the Saints forwards will need some kind of showing to keep them in the game. Tim Membrey has kicked 1 goal 5 behinds over the past fortnight and will need to get back to his accurate best if St.Kilda are to keep pace with the heavy scoring Tigers. Rowan Marshall has good agility for a big man and could trouble Rance in the air if they can find him often enough.
Tip
Richmond will be heading back to the MCG coming off of a 6 day break and trip from Perth. St.Kilda 7 days with a few injury concerns. I don't think it accounts for much however. Richmond are clearly the stronger side going in with much better form and barring anything miraculous they should get the chocolates here.
Tigers by 47 points.
Thoughts?