Review against Sydney
Richmond is coming into the match against St Kilda after a tough and physical encounter with the Sydney Swans. The boys tried hard and to their credit were in front at half time. Unfortunately the Richmond second half fade out that supporters are well accustomed to occurred, coupled with Sydney’s aggression and skill, meant the Swans ended up winning by 11 points. Positives such as certain player’s individual performances like Trent Cotchin’s gut running, Ricky Petterd’s superb tackling and Alex Rance’s battle against the one of the most dangerous forwards in the completion in Lance Franklin can be taken out of the game. Winning is the name of the game though so supporters are still tasting the all so familiar taste of failure, which has been with them since the start of the season.
Preview against St Kilda
Most Richmond supporters will expect a win against the young and improving Saints outfit. Richmond’s mediocre season doesn’t guarantee any match as a win though. If the players come out expecting a win and their skills are not up to par, a shock loss could be on the cards. This would result in a good old fashioned Richmond board meltdown, which we all know and love. This is a match Richmond cannot take lightly.
Key Match-Ups
Alex Rance vs Nick Riewoldt
Rance will have to be at his best to stop the more experienced Riewoldt from having a big influence on the game. Nick Riewoldt is one of the most athletic forwards in the AFL so Rance should expect to be doing a lot of running up and down the ground. St Kilda rely on Nick Riewoldt’s hard running and marking ability to give them a target who is capable of hitting the scoreboard. Stopping Nick Riewoldt from asserting himself on the match will force the St Kilda midfield to look for less likely forward targets.
Matt Thomas vs Jack Steven
Steven is St Kilda’s most dangerous midfielder and Richmond could at look stopping him by giving someone like Matt Thomas the job of tagging him. Steven has a brilliant all-round game. He could be sprinting through the middle of the ground with the ball one moment and then laying a bone crunching the next. If Thomas tags him he should look to be physically imposing on him at every chance he gets and harass him as much as possible. Steven cannot be left to roam around freely otherwise he will make Richmond pay with his quality disposal skills.
Ivan Maric vs Billy Longer
Maric is starting to find form again after his long setback because of injury. Longer was big pick-up for St Kilda in the off-season and he now has the job of battling in the ruck. Maric should look to use his strength to gain an advantage in the ruck. If Maric can win the ruck battle it will give Richmond’s midfield a big advantage. When Maric is at his best he is taking important marks around the ground. He should look to push forward when he gets a chance to put St Kilda’s defence under pressure with him playing as another tall target along with Riewoldt.
Possible Changes:
Out: Shaun Hampson, Aaron Edwards
In: Tyrone Vickery, Sam Lloyd
Match Prediction
St Kilda will put up a tough battle in the first half but the more experienced Richmond midfield will give our forwards plenty of supply, which will result in a 33 point win.
Richmond is coming into the match against St Kilda after a tough and physical encounter with the Sydney Swans. The boys tried hard and to their credit were in front at half time. Unfortunately the Richmond second half fade out that supporters are well accustomed to occurred, coupled with Sydney’s aggression and skill, meant the Swans ended up winning by 11 points. Positives such as certain player’s individual performances like Trent Cotchin’s gut running, Ricky Petterd’s superb tackling and Alex Rance’s battle against the one of the most dangerous forwards in the completion in Lance Franklin can be taken out of the game. Winning is the name of the game though so supporters are still tasting the all so familiar taste of failure, which has been with them since the start of the season.
Preview against St Kilda
Most Richmond supporters will expect a win against the young and improving Saints outfit. Richmond’s mediocre season doesn’t guarantee any match as a win though. If the players come out expecting a win and their skills are not up to par, a shock loss could be on the cards. This would result in a good old fashioned Richmond board meltdown, which we all know and love. This is a match Richmond cannot take lightly.
Key Match-Ups
Alex Rance vs Nick Riewoldt
Rance will have to be at his best to stop the more experienced Riewoldt from having a big influence on the game. Nick Riewoldt is one of the most athletic forwards in the AFL so Rance should expect to be doing a lot of running up and down the ground. St Kilda rely on Nick Riewoldt’s hard running and marking ability to give them a target who is capable of hitting the scoreboard. Stopping Nick Riewoldt from asserting himself on the match will force the St Kilda midfield to look for less likely forward targets.
Matt Thomas vs Jack Steven
Steven is St Kilda’s most dangerous midfielder and Richmond could at look stopping him by giving someone like Matt Thomas the job of tagging him. Steven has a brilliant all-round game. He could be sprinting through the middle of the ground with the ball one moment and then laying a bone crunching the next. If Thomas tags him he should look to be physically imposing on him at every chance he gets and harass him as much as possible. Steven cannot be left to roam around freely otherwise he will make Richmond pay with his quality disposal skills.
Ivan Maric vs Billy Longer
Maric is starting to find form again after his long setback because of injury. Longer was big pick-up for St Kilda in the off-season and he now has the job of battling in the ruck. Maric should look to use his strength to gain an advantage in the ruck. If Maric can win the ruck battle it will give Richmond’s midfield a big advantage. When Maric is at his best he is taking important marks around the ground. He should look to push forward when he gets a chance to put St Kilda’s defence under pressure with him playing as another tall target along with Riewoldt.
Possible Changes:
Out: Shaun Hampson, Aaron Edwards
In: Tyrone Vickery, Sam Lloyd
Match Prediction
St Kilda will put up a tough battle in the first half but the more experienced Richmond midfield will give our forwards plenty of supply, which will result in a 33 point win.
