VFL Game Day Semi Final, Richmond vs Essendon, North Port Oval, Saturday 08/09/18, 12:30 PM

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Observations

Richmond: The Tigers struggled against Willy in the Qualifying final, going down by 25 points. Jake Aarts was a feature with 2 goals, whilst Anthony Miles was a bull with 26 disposals for the Tigers

Essendon: The Dons managed an "upset" 34 win against Collingwood, dominating from start to finish, kicking away to a 3 goal lead at quarter time, with the closest the Pies got to that was 11 points. Kobe Mutch was excellent in the middle with 28 disposals whilst Jackson Merrett and Josh Green kicked 9 goals between them.

Head to Head (last 5)

Richmond 5-0 Essendon

Form Guide

Richmond: 2W 3L
Essendon: 3W 2L

Sportsbet odds (available Friday)

Richmond:
Essendon:
Line: ($1.92)

Possible sides

Richmond vs Essendon

B: Ridley - Hartley - Berry
F: Aarts - Moore - Ballard
HB: Francis - Zerk-Thatcher - McNiece
HF: Baker - Balta - Stengle
C: Hind - Clarke - Long
C: Naish - Miles - Silvestro
HF: Merrett - Stewart - Laverde
HB: Menadue - Markov - Morris
F: Green - Sibbald - Younan
B: Coffield - Garthwaite - Miller
R: Draper - Mynott - Mutch
R: Soldo - Ellis - Lloyd
I: McQueen - Heppell - Hocking - Houlahan
I: Coleman-Jones - Wood - Smith - Beasley
23P: Lazzaro
23P: Thompson

Essendon in: Houlahan; Out: Harrison (omit)
Richmond in: Beasley; Out: Butler (omit? Rested? Something that will blow up in their faces if they lose)

Richmond defence vs Essendon forward line

The Dons were 7th for points for this season in the VFL home, but had an accurate display against Collingwood in the preliminary final, kicking a whopping 18 goals 5, with a poster and another off the boot included in those behinds. Danny Younan has been a threat as a small forward, his harrassing ability and the ability to turn something out of nothing has been a big feature for the Dons this season, kicking a goal in every game he's played. Richmond have had the 4th best defence in the league this season for points conceded, lead by captain Steve Morris in defence, who ironically will take either Younan or Josh Green. Ryan Garthwaite is a young defender who will likely take James Stewart, who will be hoping to back up a solid performance against Collingwood

Midfield/rucks battle

This is the real question as to who wins. Essendon's more experienced on ballers are their VFL contingent in Heath Hocking, Aaron Heppell and Nick Hind whilst Richmond have that in Tom Silvestro, Brandon Wood, Jake Aarts but also an experienced AFL contingent of Sam Lloyd and Anthony Miles as well, which could prove beneficial for the Tigers. Essendon's spread from the contest in Jake Long, Hind, Merrett and McQueen is where the Dons will get on top of the Tigers if any area, Richmond definitely having the stronger inside midfield of the respective groups. Rucks wise, Soldo may be more experienced but Sam Draper is in a hot run of form right now and will be absolutely vital for the Dons if they're to progress to the Preliminary final.

Richmond forward line vs Essendon defence

Richmond's attack is where their skill truly lies, averaging over 100 points a game this season. Young small Tyson Stengle has been a feature as an AFL listed player, kicking 32 goals this year, but the small struggled against Williamstown in the qualifying final, only kicking the 1 major. Essendon are 6th overall in terms of points conceded, only slightly outside the top 4 in this regard however. Key defender Michael Hartley has been a major part of this, suffering a little with Cale Hooker making a successful return to defence for the AFL side. He'll try to quell Noah Balta, a first year player for the Tigers who was very impressive against Williamstown in the Qualifying, whilst Ben McNiece will try to use his smarts up against Stengle.

Tip

We'll get through to another prelim. Dons by 17
 
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We need to win our way thru and win the vfl gf....it's in the tea leaves

1983 - we win the reserves gf

Go onto win the 84 flag (and 85)

1992 - we win the reserves gf

Go onto win the 93 flag

1999 - we win the reserves gf

Go onto win the 00 flag.

Let's do this for next year.
As much as that would be great to see, can't see us doing it.
 

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We've got nothing to fear and some very talented players auditioning for AFL spots next year so the drive should be there.

Is Clarke a chance of playing? The midfield is a bit thin if we take out the most prolific clearance winner without much to come in to replace him.

Also is Boyse injured or has he fallen out of favour? His inclusion could allow us to replace Clarke with Laverde in the middle.
 
We've got nothing to fear and some very talented players auditioning for AFL spots next year so the drive should be there.

Is Clarke a chance of playing? The midfield is a bit thin if we take out the most prolific clearance winner without much to come in to replace him.

Also is Boyse injured or has he fallen out of favour? His inclusion could allow us to replace Clarke with Laverde in the middle.
Had a brief chat with him yesterday before the game. Says he's had intermittent injuries all year that have prevented him getting a good month in at a time. Unlikely this week unfortunately.

Houlahan for Harrison and maybe Leuenberger for Sibbald (good game but not Leuey level). Otherwise no change for me. Something like:

Francis - Hartley - Berry
Ridley - Bezerker - McNiece
Hind - Clarke - Long
Merrett - Stewart - Laverde
Green - Leuey/Sibb - Younan
Draper - Mynott - Mutch
McQueen - Heppell - Hocking - Houlahan/Harrison
Lazzaro
 
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Joe Dan.

I’m ready.
Ineligible. Needs to have played a VFL game.

EDIT: Actually says an AFL senior game or VFL. Technically eligible due to that and having missed 10 straight VFL games
 
Ineligible. Needs to have played a VFL game.
I’ve read the rules and didn’t see that...

(a) A Player who has not played in at least one AFL or VFL Senior Grade Home and Away Match in the relevant season will be ineligible to play in the VFL Senior Grade Finals Series.


(b) A Player who has played in an AFL Home and Away Match after 1 July in the relevant season will be ineligible to play in VFL Senior Grade Finals Series Matches unless that Player has played in a combined total of at least six (6) VFL Senior Grade Home and Away Matches in the same season.
 
I’ve read the rules and didn’t see that...

(a) A Player who has not played in at least one AFL or VFL Senior Grade Home and Away Match in the relevant season will be ineligible to play in the VFL Senior Grade Finals Series.


(b) A Player who has played in an AFL Home and Away Match after 1 July in the relevant season will be ineligible to play in VFL Senior Grade Finals Series Matches unless that Player has played in a combined total of at least six (6) VFL Senior Grade Home and Away Matches in the same season.
Yeah, edited it. Would still be conflicted about seeing him there. As good as he is, it would be pretty bullshit for him to play.
 
Whatever it takes, Eth!
Still. I doubt it happens due to him being our Group 1 stallion, you don't put those guys in the Pakenham races.
 
Still. I doubt it happens due to him being our Group 1 stallion, you don't put those guys in the Pakenham races.
It’s hard to argue with you about that. Still, one reason would be because he’s trained really hard at the back end of the year, got his body right and it would be nice to have a hit out before preseason. You wouldn’t do it unless he was 14 days past being 100% though.
 

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It’s hard to argue with you about that. Still, one reason would be because he’s trained really hard at the back end of the year, got his body right and it would be nice to have a hit out before preseason. You wouldn’t do it unless he was 14 days past being 100% though.

Why would you risk him getting a serious injury, which is a very real risk any any game off footy at any level?
 
Why would you risk him getting a serious injury, which is a very real risk any any game off footy at any level?
For that exact reason - it can happen in training, playing, practice matches, home and away, finals - kicking a footy in a park. But if the club think it’s better for his 2019 having a run in what would be a practice match for him then go for it.
 
For that exact reason - it can happen in training, playing, practice matches, home and away, finals - kicking a footy in a park. But if the club think it’s better for his 2019 having a run in what would be a practice match for him then go for it.
I read that as a VB commercial.
 
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