Cutty
Club Legend
Why did I volunteer to do a serious preview??? 
VS
This week we play a team that may well have just hit absolute rock bottom. Given the vastly different ways in which Richmond and Melbourne went about their business this week you could be forgiven for predicting a pretty large margin in favour of our beloved Tigers. However, this week may just chuck a few curve balls our way and we all know how well the Tigers go as the favourite.
THE LEAD UP
Richmond: After enduring some tough losses to some good opposition the boys went out and showed some real character in the face of a 5-1 Port team on a real high and plenty of media scrutiny. Richmond emphatically burst the Port bubble with a Peter North sized needle and have silenced the haters for a week at least. Unfortunately we have lost Tuck for 6-8 weeks with a fractured shoulder blade and it looks like Knights for the season with a knee tendon which takes some of the gloss of what was a great win for the club.
Melbourne: Wow, I know we of all supporters shouldn't get stuck in over another sides loss to the Suns but that was a real soul crusher. Positives out of the game for the Demons was the performance of Viney and IMO Max Gawn who showed that his heart could fit 18 other Melbourne players hearts inside it. After a stinging loss like that, expect the Demons to be raked over the coals again in the Media this week. Whether it will have any effect on the team at this point remains to be seen.
THE GAME
Richmond: Hard not to go into this one supremely confident. There are a few wounded/sore soldiers out there who could potentially use a rest in the lead up to the filthy PED injecting cheats and West Coast games but I hope that we just play out best available 22 and not get too cute. Watching the Demons play today, it was difficult for me to discern any system or structure (which is no doubt half the problem) so rather than enact a specific plan for Melbourne, we should concentrate on our own structures, win the contested ball and just do the simple things right. If we run for the full 4 quarters and play to our strengths, we will be singing the song at the end.
Melbourne: The Tigers are suseptible to one thing more than any other: PRESSURE. If Melbourne can really press up on us, give us no space and pressure the ball carrier we will cough up the footy more often than not. Im not sure that Melbourne are capable of doing this for a quarter let alone an entire match but this would be their best chance to get the win. This may be cruel but when I look at the team sheets I can't see to many match ups that will be won by the Melbourne players. Add this to the fact that Sylvia will most likely have a couple of weeks off and usually has a field day against us and the Demons are well and truly behind the 8-Ball this week.
5 TALKING POINTS
THE DEMONS COACH
Who knows if Neeld will still be at the helm by the end of this week, the expansion sides have vaporised a few coaching careers thus far. We will have to wait and see on this one, new coaches often bring out strong performances in an underperforming team so the side that played GCS might just come out firing next week. Logic dictates that Craig will be the go-to guy should Neeld fall on his sword, Todd Viney may step back in also.
THE ROAST
I am of the belief that it was a real source of pride amongst Melbourne that thay were yet to lose to an expansion side. Not only did they lose, they were spanked from pillar to post. The Footy Media will be out for their pound of flesh and the question is will this galvanise the team or will they pack it in and leave it all up to Viney and Jones?
JACK VS JAMES
Frawley has had Jack measure more often than not and is a fantastic KPD, however I'm wondering if his heart is in it anymore. As an outsider looking in, his faith in the MFC seems to have eroded over the last two years and he seems much less dominant than he once did. I'm hoping Jack can rub a bit of extra salt in and kick 5 on him.
MAX GAWN
The kid can play, if I were a Demon, it would be GAWN 007. Will look forward to seeing what he brings to the table agains the Tigers. Is ruck height so will cause a few problems in our backline if he gets the supply but im thinking he will be limited to a cameo performance.
COLIN SYLVIA
Thanks mate, your selfish and petty undiciplined act on Brennan will most likely give you a few weeks off. Given the usual 5 goals you usually contribute against the Tigers the Demons are even further back that they needed to be.
PREDICTION
Tigers confidence levels are up and the increasing competition for spots will ensure that the boys on the ground will want to give a good account of themselves. Who knows with Melbourne how this week will affect the team. Head says Tigers by plenty, heart says Tigers by enough.
Tigers by 50
This week we play a team that may well have just hit absolute rock bottom. Given the vastly different ways in which Richmond and Melbourne went about their business this week you could be forgiven for predicting a pretty large margin in favour of our beloved Tigers. However, this week may just chuck a few curve balls our way and we all know how well the Tigers go as the favourite.
THE LEAD UP
Richmond: After enduring some tough losses to some good opposition the boys went out and showed some real character in the face of a 5-1 Port team on a real high and plenty of media scrutiny. Richmond emphatically burst the Port bubble with a Peter North sized needle and have silenced the haters for a week at least. Unfortunately we have lost Tuck for 6-8 weeks with a fractured shoulder blade and it looks like Knights for the season with a knee tendon which takes some of the gloss of what was a great win for the club.
Melbourne: Wow, I know we of all supporters shouldn't get stuck in over another sides loss to the Suns but that was a real soul crusher. Positives out of the game for the Demons was the performance of Viney and IMO Max Gawn who showed that his heart could fit 18 other Melbourne players hearts inside it. After a stinging loss like that, expect the Demons to be raked over the coals again in the Media this week. Whether it will have any effect on the team at this point remains to be seen.
THE GAME
Richmond: Hard not to go into this one supremely confident. There are a few wounded/sore soldiers out there who could potentially use a rest in the lead up to the filthy PED injecting cheats and West Coast games but I hope that we just play out best available 22 and not get too cute. Watching the Demons play today, it was difficult for me to discern any system or structure (which is no doubt half the problem) so rather than enact a specific plan for Melbourne, we should concentrate on our own structures, win the contested ball and just do the simple things right. If we run for the full 4 quarters and play to our strengths, we will be singing the song at the end.
Melbourne: The Tigers are suseptible to one thing more than any other: PRESSURE. If Melbourne can really press up on us, give us no space and pressure the ball carrier we will cough up the footy more often than not. Im not sure that Melbourne are capable of doing this for a quarter let alone an entire match but this would be their best chance to get the win. This may be cruel but when I look at the team sheets I can't see to many match ups that will be won by the Melbourne players. Add this to the fact that Sylvia will most likely have a couple of weeks off and usually has a field day against us and the Demons are well and truly behind the 8-Ball this week.
5 TALKING POINTS
THE DEMONS COACH
Who knows if Neeld will still be at the helm by the end of this week, the expansion sides have vaporised a few coaching careers thus far. We will have to wait and see on this one, new coaches often bring out strong performances in an underperforming team so the side that played GCS might just come out firing next week. Logic dictates that Craig will be the go-to guy should Neeld fall on his sword, Todd Viney may step back in also.
THE ROAST
I am of the belief that it was a real source of pride amongst Melbourne that thay were yet to lose to an expansion side. Not only did they lose, they were spanked from pillar to post. The Footy Media will be out for their pound of flesh and the question is will this galvanise the team or will they pack it in and leave it all up to Viney and Jones?
JACK VS JAMES
Frawley has had Jack measure more often than not and is a fantastic KPD, however I'm wondering if his heart is in it anymore. As an outsider looking in, his faith in the MFC seems to have eroded over the last two years and he seems much less dominant than he once did. I'm hoping Jack can rub a bit of extra salt in and kick 5 on him.
MAX GAWN
The kid can play, if I were a Demon, it would be GAWN 007. Will look forward to seeing what he brings to the table agains the Tigers. Is ruck height so will cause a few problems in our backline if he gets the supply but im thinking he will be limited to a cameo performance.
COLIN SYLVIA
Thanks mate, your selfish and petty undiciplined act on Brennan will most likely give you a few weeks off. Given the usual 5 goals you usually contribute against the Tigers the Demons are even further back that they needed to be.
PREDICTION
Tigers confidence levels are up and the increasing competition for spots will ensure that the boys on the ground will want to give a good account of themselves. Who knows with Melbourne how this week will affect the team. Head says Tigers by plenty, heart says Tigers by enough.
Tigers by 50
