Where: Etihad Stadium, 3.15pm, Sunday 29th April
TV: Channel 7 & Fox Sports 1 from 3pm
Radio: 3AW. Triple M
Odds: Richmond $3.40, West Coast $1.42, Line Richmond +20.5
Richmond’s rough draw continues with yet another top four contender in West Coast. The Eagles looked somewhat vulnerable in their low-scoring victory over Hawthorn last week, yet still came away with the four points. However, Richmond taking Geelong all the way down at Simonds Stadium makes this clash interesting.
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The Tigers’ ability to shock relies on their midfield. Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin are the two key players here, and Cotchin in particular, can change the course of a game with his disposal.
Despite this, poor delivery to their forwards, coupled with some average kicking from Tyrone Vickery and Jack Riewoldt, has meant that they haven’t troubled the scoreboard as much as they could, and a change in this could see their fortunes turn.
West Coast, too, will look for more accurate kicking in their forwards, having kicked 0.12 in the first half against Hawthorn. However, the rest of their side performed admirably despite last week being a low-scoring affair, and more of the same will be expected by John Worsfold.
Key Match-ups
Daniel Kerr v Trent Cotchin: Kerr is coming back into dangerous form for the first time in years, while Cotchin seems to be forever dangerous despite the “bear hugs”. Expect these two to go head to head in the outside battle.
Dean Cox/Nic Naitanui v Ivan Maric: Interestingly, SuperCoach tells us that Dean Cox historically does not perform as well against Richmond. However, the two-punch combo of Cox and NicNat is always difficult, as only one needs the upper hand.
Josh Kennedy v Alex Rance: Rance is in great form, while Kennedy has been inaccurate yet still dangerous. Nullifying JJK is crucial if the Tigers want to win.
Final Word
Eagles to march onwards towards premiership contention.
Eagles by 32
Teams
Richmond
B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Chris Newman
HB: Bachar Houli, Dylan Grimes, Jake Batchelor
C: Shaun Grigg, Dustin Martin, Daniel Jackson
HF: Brett Deledio, Brad Miller, Nathan Foley
F: Reece Conca, Jack Riewoldt, Robin Nahas
Foll: Ivan Maric, Trent Cotchin, Shane Tuck
I/C: Matthew White, Tyrone Vickery, Matt Dea, Brandon Ellis
West Coast Eagles
B: Eric Mackenzie, Darren Glass, Adam Selwood
HB: Beau Waters, Will Schofield, Shannon Hurn
C: Andrew Gaff, Matthew Priddis, Matthew Rosa
HF: Chris Masten, Quinten Lynch, Jack Darling
F: Dean Cox, Josh Kennedy, Ashton Hams
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Daniel Kerr
I/C: Sam Butler, Luke Shuey, Ashley Smith, Josh Hill
BigFooty Team Board Previews:
