Originally posted by Mr Q
They may well have been here a few times to play Freo and won those.
Firstly, with Fremantle, it's certainly true that Richmond's record in WA is much better against them then it has been against the Eagles. In WA, we have a 4-3 winning record against Fremantle, and a 9-4 winning record against them overall.
And it's certainly true that the Richmond's record against the Eagles has been distorted recently by the vast majority of clashes being played in Victoria.
The battles between the two sides in Victoria have gone in quite unusual and interesting patterns. Richmond won the first three clashes in Victoria from 1987-89, all definitely missed opportunities for the Eagles as Richmond were going through the most dismal period in their history.
Under Malthouse, West Coast turned things around by winning 5 consecutive matches against Richmond from 1990-94. But since then, Richmond have re-gained the ascendancy, winning 8 of the last 9 clashes in Victoria, often when West Coast was expected to win.
In WA, the trend of the matches has been much more predictable. Richmond infamously threw away victory in the first ever match against the Eagles in 1987, losing after being 33 points at three quarter-time.
And for a while, it was as close as we got to winning against West Coast at Subi. Under Malthouse, Richmond never got close, losing convincingly on 5 occasions. The losses in 1994 and 1998 were especially costly, as they were probably the difference between the Tigers making and not making the finals in those years.
Richmond's first win against the Eagles in WA occurred in 2001, and it was a convincing victory by over 6 goals (I still have the game on tape). West Coast couldn't handle Richo who easily beat Trent Carroll and kicked 6 goals (as well as give away 3 50-metre penalties). Rogers also bobbed up with 5 goals, beating his opponent David Wirrapunda.
Incredibly this year will be the first time
ever that the Eagles haven't played Richmond in Victoria during a season. Probably the biggest anomoly of the draw since it became uneven in 1987.
As for this Saturday night's match, it should be a good contest. I would say that for Richmond to win it needs Campbell back in the side fit and firing. West Coast's midfield is top notch and Richmond needs all it's available resources in this area to overcome it. The main trio of Campbell, Coughlan and Johnson will do well, but also the likes of Fiora and the notoriously unreliable Bowden to stand up and back them.