- Nov 23, 2015
- 11,841
- 17,522
- AFL Club
- GWS
- Moderator
- #1
2021 has certainly delivered a mixed bag for GWS on the field. After a 0-3 start, we've actually had a decent 4-1 run recently to sit just outside the 8 after the first third of the season. Our two most recent losses have been to teams sitting 1 & 2 on the ladder; and in both games we suffered injuries that impacted our ability to run out the games. That said, our last game at home against Essendon should have been a solid win after a destructive first quarter, yet ended in a nail-biting 2 point win after letting them back into the game. That's several games where we seem to have dropped off in the final quarter and something the coaches should be concerned about.
Richmond has also been impacted by injury, and are not playing as well as a 3-time premier could be expected. However, they will certainly be dangerous at home in Melbourne, no matter who they put on the field. GWs will again need to bring the heat in the midfield if we are to succeed at Marvel, somewhere that has not been a happy hunting ground for us. Taranto, Hopper, Ward and Green have been good in patches - those patches aligning to when GWS is playing well - but when the opposition get on top in the contest, GWS tends to buckle overall. The forwardline is still a work in progress, and there is likely to be further change with Jeremy Finlayson presumably rubbed out for this match. Our young defence has held up pretty well, with Sam Taylor showing everyone what a star he is; while Ash, Cumming & Idun are combing well on the counterattack. Lachie Whitfield was quiet in his second game back, which is probably understandable, but we'll need him to stand tall next weekend.
GWS really needs to win this game, with some tough matches coming up, and needing to keep in contact with the 8. Richmond are wounded, and despite playing in Melbourne, we have to dig deep and find a way to beat them as we have in the past (except in the 2019 GF, of course! )
Over to you for your thoughts on the game and key match-ups.
Richmond has also been impacted by injury, and are not playing as well as a 3-time premier could be expected. However, they will certainly be dangerous at home in Melbourne, no matter who they put on the field. GWs will again need to bring the heat in the midfield if we are to succeed at Marvel, somewhere that has not been a happy hunting ground for us. Taranto, Hopper, Ward and Green have been good in patches - those patches aligning to when GWS is playing well - but when the opposition get on top in the contest, GWS tends to buckle overall. The forwardline is still a work in progress, and there is likely to be further change with Jeremy Finlayson presumably rubbed out for this match. Our young defence has held up pretty well, with Sam Taylor showing everyone what a star he is; while Ash, Cumming & Idun are combing well on the counterattack. Lachie Whitfield was quiet in his second game back, which is probably understandable, but we'll need him to stand tall next weekend.
GWS really needs to win this game, with some tough matches coming up, and needing to keep in contact with the 8. Richmond are wounded, and despite playing in Melbourne, we have to dig deep and find a way to beat them as we have in the past (except in the 2019 GF, of course! )
Over to you for your thoughts on the game and key match-ups.