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- Aug 10, 2009
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Weather for Saturday 30 September
Min 9
Max 16
Morning shower or two.
Possible rainfall: 0 to 0.4 mm
Chance of any rain: 50%
Melbourne area
Cloudy. Medium (50%) chance of showers, most likely in the early morning. Winds westerly 25 to 40 km/h tending west to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h early in the morning then tending west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the evening.
Crows name Grand Final side
McGovern will watch Saturday’s decider from the sidelines alongside rebounding backman Brodie Smith, who ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee in the Club’s Qualifying Final win over Greater Western Sydney.
“It’s heartbreaking to watch these guys miss out, but then the opportunity comes for someone else and you’ve got to take it,” Otten said. “The guys will bounce back for sure. Brodie’s been amazing so far. He’s been around the group, up and about and helping everyone out.
“The way he’s gone about it is just so good for the side and gives us a real lift. “The 22 players that play on Saturday are going to give their all and I’m sure whoever runs out will do the Club proud.”
Richmond team goes unchanged for Grand Final
Richmond will enter the 2017 Grand Final against Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday with an unchanged line-up. The Tigers have stuck with the same side that defeated Greater Western Sydney in last Saturday’s MCG preliminary final by 36 points and Geelong by 51 points in the qualifying final.
Match Preview
Richmond will likely have to hold Adelaide to less than 100 points to break its 37-year premiership drought. The Crows were undefeated in the 15 games they scored 100 or more points this year – they drew with Collingwood in round 19 – but won just three of nine games when held to less than triple figures. Richmond's challenge is formidable. Adelaide averaged a League-high 109.8 points a game during the home and away season and, with Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Tom Lynch and Charlie Cameron, boasts the competition's most potent forward line. But the Tigers' defensive pressure has been outstanding this September and they will be banking on it carrying them to victory one more time. Whichever team wins, there will hardly be a dry eye in the MCG. The Tigers faithful's long wait has been well documented, while the Crows have had to overcome the tragic death of coach Phil Walsh in 2015 and the departures of stars Patrick Dangerfield, Phil Davis, Kurt Tippett and Jack Gunston.
Last time they met: Round six: Adelaide 21.14 (140) d Richmond 10.4 (64) at Adelaide Oval
Both teams were undefeated entering this game and the Tigers took it up to the home team in the first term, kicking six goals to lead by nine points at quarter-time. However, the Crows then assumed total control, kicking 13 of the next 14 goals to set up an imposing 76-point win. Taylor Walker (five goals), Rory Sloane (33 possessions and three goals), Matt Crouch (38 possessions) and Rory Laird (34) were the stars for Adelaide.
Key Points
Adelaide
Will Adelaide assign a tag to Martin ? or will Adelaide rely on their midfield group to take collective responsibility for him around stoppages. Knight looks to go with Cotchin. If allowed to roam free, Tigers star Alex Rance is a lethal intercept and counter-attacking weapon. Adelaide may put a defensive forward on him, with Andy Otten a possibility. Adelaide is one of competition's most deadly teams by foot and will look to move the ball quickly and directly into their forward 50, aiming to give their forward line stars as many one-on-one contests as possible.
Richmond
Finals wins over Geelong and GWS were built on pressure and they will need the same to beat the Crows. If the minor premiers are given time and space, their edge in class should prove decisive. Having developed an unfashionable – but highly effective – forward line around Jack Riewoldt and a mosquito fleet, Richmond won't want to bomb the ball long and high inside its forward 50. Rory Laird starred in the Crows' round six win over Richmond and last Friday night against Geelong had 32 disposals at 91 per cent efficiency. The 23-year-old is Adelaide's most potent defensive rebounder, so the Tigers could task Kane Lambert with limiting his influence.
The Stats that matter
- In round six, the Crows outscored Richmond 16 goals to four after quarter-time to turn a nine-point deficit into a 76-point win. Adelaide smashed Richmond in disposals (461-334) and marks (125-58) that afternoon.
- The Crows were the competition's highest-scoring side in the home and away season, averaging 109.8 points a game and scoring 100 points or more 15 times. The Tigers were the third-best defensive team, conceding only 76.5 points a game and just two opposition scores of 100 points or more – the fewest of any team.
- The Crows have set up their finals wins this year in the first half, outscoring Greater Western Sydney and Geelong by a combined 19.14 to 6.13 in the opening two quarters, while Richmond has dominated in the second half, outscoring the same opponents by a combined 20.12 to 7.13.
- Adelaide has won the teams' last three clashes after Richmond won four of their five contests from 2010-14. The teams are 5-5 in their 10 games at the MCG, but haven’t played each other there since round 12, 2013, when the Tigers won by 38 points.
- Adelaide is playing its first Grand Final since 1998 and third overall, having won back-to-back premierships in 1997-98. Richmond is playing its first Grand Final since 1982 and is aiming for its 11 premiership and first since 1980.
- Both teams have three players in the top 50 of the Schick AFL Player Ratings – Richmond: Dustin Martin (two), Cotchin (15) and Rance (26); and Adelaide: Rory Sloane (four), Eddie Betts (24) and Matt Crouch (38).
Coaches Comments
Don Pyke: "It'll be a different week, we'll embrace the week and we'll prepare as we always do to come ready to play and perform. As much as we're pleased with [winning the preliminary final], making the Grand Final is not what it's about. It's about winning a Grand Final and that's what we now set our sights on doing."
Damien Hardwick: "I've been waiting since round six to get this opportunity to come back and play them again. There's no doubt we go in as underdogs, that's the harsh reality of it. They're a fantastic side, they've put everyone to the sword, but we give ourselves a chance. If we play our best, we're capable of beating anyone."
The Final Word...
The simple question, which team will rise to the challenge tomorrow to claim another premiership for their fans. Will it be the minor premiers Adelaide, or will they suffer the same fate as to the 2016 minor premiers succumbing to the fairy tale that in 2017 would be a Tigers victory?
Prediction: Richmond by 7
