eth-dog
Tier 1 WW Player
Observations
Essendon: Were s**t. No two ways about it. Langford was good on a wing. Saad good off half back. Ridley also good off half back. The rest was crap
Richmond:
Head to Head (last 5)
Essendon 0-5 Richmond
Form Guide
Essendon: 1W 3L 1D
Richmond: 2W 2L
Sportsbet odds
Essendon: $
Richmond: $
Line: .5 ($1.90)
Possible sides
Essendon vs Richmond
FB: Aaron Francis - Brandon Zerk-Thatcher - Adam Saad
FF: Mabior Chol - Tom J Lynch - Jason Castagna
HB: Martin Gleeson - Michael Hurley - Jordan Ridley
HF: Jake Aarts - Jack Riewoldt - Kane Lambert
MF: Kyle Langford - Zachary Merrett - Kobe Mutch
MF: Kamdyn McIntosh - Dustin Martin - Marlion Pickett
HF: Devon Smith - James Stewart - Conor McKenna
HB: Nick Vlaustin - Noah Balta - Jayden Short
FF: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti - Cale Hooker - Josh Begley
FB: Derek Eggmollesse-Smith - Dylan Grimes - Nathan Broad
OB: Samuel Draper - Darcy Parish - Dylan Shiel
OB: Ivan Soldo - Shai Bolton - Trent Cotchin
IC: Andrew McGrath - William Snelling - Mason Redman - Dylan Clarke
IC: Jack Ross - Josh Caddy - Sydney Stack - Liam Baker
Essendon in: Cale Hooker, Mason Redman, Devon Smith, Aaron Francis; Out: Matthew Guelfi, Shaun McKernan, Jacob Townsend, Tom Cutler (all omit)
Richmond in: N/A; Out: N/A
Richmond defence vs Essendon forward line
So far this season Essendon averaged 20.6% in terms of goals/inside 50, which has slipped to the bottom 6 of the AFL after starting off around the top 4. Richmond are very strong in this area, conceding a goal only 20.2% of the time it enters their defensive 50, top 4 in the AFL. Essendon seemingly have troops finally coming back into their forward line, James Stewart found a bit of form against Gold Coast and may be partnered by the strong marking Cale Hooker up front, the pair likely to be taken by Nathan Broad and Noah Balta, which gives them a nice height advantage. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is the main small forward, and I really hope we see him and Derek Eggmollesse-Smith go head to head as the two longest names in footy history, whilst Conor McKenna's move to half foward has excited many of the Essendon faithful, likely to get looked after by Liam Baker
Midfield/rucks battle
Neither side have shown that winning clearances or contested possessions is a priority, Essendon being 11th and 14th for clearance and contested possession differential respectively whilst Richmond aree 17th and 16th in those particular stats. Essendon will be hoping that their speed through the middle in Dylan Shiel and Andrew McGrath can capitalise against a slightly slower Richmond one, the latter likely to go head to head with the much improved Shai Bolton, who is spending significant time in the middle now. Dustin Martin may be the key to this, when he plays in the middle he often monsters midfields like Essendon so Dylan Clarke might have to try to tag him and lock him out of the game. On the outside of the contest, Essendon will be hoping that Kobe Mutch can show some form to keep his chances of staying on the list alive, going head to head with mature aged recruit Marlion Pickett whilst Kyle Langford spends time opposed to Kamdyn McIntosh as well. Rucks wise, Sam Draper and Ivan Soldo have played against each other a few times in the VFL, Draper getting the chocolates more often than Soldo, although the Tigers ruck AFL experience could balance it out.
Richmond forward line vs Essendon defence
Richmond's forward line is a touch under the AFL average in terms of goals/inside 50, converting 22.1% of the time it enters. Essendon have been really good at restricting the opposition in this area, conceding a goal 21.2% of the time it enters defensive 50, 6th overall in the AFL. Tom Lynch is the focal point of Richmond's attack, and he hasn't had a fantastic year by his standards but expect him to back himself in against the inexperienced Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, whilst Michael Hurley and Jack Riewoldt will renew acquaintances, the pair having many fantastic battles over the years. Jason Castagna seems to be the main small forward for Richmond, and Adam Saad will be backing himself to have a good day against the Italian, having previously held him well over the past few years, whilst impressive intercept defender Jordan Ridley will go up against Jake Aarts, former Bendigo Bomber.
X-Factor Player
Josh Begley is big, has decent speed and is a good kick for goal. This could be his chance to cement his spot on the list ahead of Jacob Townsend and Jayden Laverde as that medium forward who rotates through the middle
Key stat
Essendon: Clearances. When they win, they're +20 in clearance differential so far this season, when they lose they're -17.
Richmond: Offensive conversion. Richmond can lock down any side but they need to be able to score against a very good Essendon defence
Tip
Richmond are Essendon's bogey team, and I expect that to continue this game. Richmond by 57
Essendon: Were s**t. No two ways about it. Langford was good on a wing. Saad good off half back. Ridley also good off half back. The rest was crap
Richmond:
Head to Head (last 5)
Essendon 0-5 Richmond
Form Guide
Essendon: 1W 3L 1D
Richmond: 2W 2L
Sportsbet odds
Essendon: $
Richmond: $
Line: .5 ($1.90)
Possible sides
Essendon vs Richmond
FB: Aaron Francis - Brandon Zerk-Thatcher - Adam Saad
FF: Mabior Chol - Tom J Lynch - Jason Castagna
HB: Martin Gleeson - Michael Hurley - Jordan Ridley
HF: Jake Aarts - Jack Riewoldt - Kane Lambert
MF: Kyle Langford - Zachary Merrett - Kobe Mutch
MF: Kamdyn McIntosh - Dustin Martin - Marlion Pickett
HF: Devon Smith - James Stewart - Conor McKenna
HB: Nick Vlaustin - Noah Balta - Jayden Short
FF: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti - Cale Hooker - Josh Begley
FB: Derek Eggmollesse-Smith - Dylan Grimes - Nathan Broad
OB: Samuel Draper - Darcy Parish - Dylan Shiel
OB: Ivan Soldo - Shai Bolton - Trent Cotchin
IC: Andrew McGrath - William Snelling - Mason Redman - Dylan Clarke
IC: Jack Ross - Josh Caddy - Sydney Stack - Liam Baker
Essendon in: Cale Hooker, Mason Redman, Devon Smith, Aaron Francis; Out: Matthew Guelfi, Shaun McKernan, Jacob Townsend, Tom Cutler (all omit)
Richmond in: N/A; Out: N/A
Richmond defence vs Essendon forward line
So far this season Essendon averaged 20.6% in terms of goals/inside 50, which has slipped to the bottom 6 of the AFL after starting off around the top 4. Richmond are very strong in this area, conceding a goal only 20.2% of the time it enters their defensive 50, top 4 in the AFL. Essendon seemingly have troops finally coming back into their forward line, James Stewart found a bit of form against Gold Coast and may be partnered by the strong marking Cale Hooker up front, the pair likely to be taken by Nathan Broad and Noah Balta, which gives them a nice height advantage. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is the main small forward, and I really hope we see him and Derek Eggmollesse-Smith go head to head as the two longest names in footy history, whilst Conor McKenna's move to half foward has excited many of the Essendon faithful, likely to get looked after by Liam Baker
Midfield/rucks battle
Neither side have shown that winning clearances or contested possessions is a priority, Essendon being 11th and 14th for clearance and contested possession differential respectively whilst Richmond aree 17th and 16th in those particular stats. Essendon will be hoping that their speed through the middle in Dylan Shiel and Andrew McGrath can capitalise against a slightly slower Richmond one, the latter likely to go head to head with the much improved Shai Bolton, who is spending significant time in the middle now. Dustin Martin may be the key to this, when he plays in the middle he often monsters midfields like Essendon so Dylan Clarke might have to try to tag him and lock him out of the game. On the outside of the contest, Essendon will be hoping that Kobe Mutch can show some form to keep his chances of staying on the list alive, going head to head with mature aged recruit Marlion Pickett whilst Kyle Langford spends time opposed to Kamdyn McIntosh as well. Rucks wise, Sam Draper and Ivan Soldo have played against each other a few times in the VFL, Draper getting the chocolates more often than Soldo, although the Tigers ruck AFL experience could balance it out.
Richmond forward line vs Essendon defence
Richmond's forward line is a touch under the AFL average in terms of goals/inside 50, converting 22.1% of the time it enters. Essendon have been really good at restricting the opposition in this area, conceding a goal 21.2% of the time it enters defensive 50, 6th overall in the AFL. Tom Lynch is the focal point of Richmond's attack, and he hasn't had a fantastic year by his standards but expect him to back himself in against the inexperienced Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, whilst Michael Hurley and Jack Riewoldt will renew acquaintances, the pair having many fantastic battles over the years. Jason Castagna seems to be the main small forward for Richmond, and Adam Saad will be backing himself to have a good day against the Italian, having previously held him well over the past few years, whilst impressive intercept defender Jordan Ridley will go up against Jake Aarts, former Bendigo Bomber.
X-Factor Player
Josh Begley is big, has decent speed and is a good kick for goal. This could be his chance to cement his spot on the list ahead of Jacob Townsend and Jayden Laverde as that medium forward who rotates through the middle
Key stat
Essendon: Clearances. When they win, they're +20 in clearance differential so far this season, when they lose they're -17.
Richmond: Offensive conversion. Richmond can lock down any side but they need to be able to score against a very good Essendon defence
Tip
Richmond are Essendon's bogey team, and I expect that to continue this game. Richmond by 57