The Chimp
Team Captain
- Dec 9, 2012
- 469
- 1,054
- AFL Club
- Richmond
vs
ROUND 15
Richmond v Carlton MCG
Friday 10th July 2015
7.50 pm AEST
Broadcast live on Fox Footy and Channel 7
3mmm, SEN, 3aw, ABC
Richmond v Carlton MCG
Friday 10th July 2015
7.50 pm AEST
Broadcast live on Fox Footy and Channel 7
3mmm, SEN, 3aw, ABC
For the first time this season, Richmond plays a return game against the old enemy. On face value, Richmond will be strong favourites to win the game. By the way Richmond have played as a whole during season 2015, one would be confident. But going back over the previous preview threads between the two teams, their is a common theme, confident, yet concerned. The life of a Richmond supporter.
As a warning, the following results may cause bouts of fits and anger,
Elimination Final, 8 Sep 2013 MCG Richmond defeated by Carlton 96-116
Round 21, 17 Aug 2013 MCG Richmond defeated by Carlton 96-106
Round 18, 28 Jul 2012 MCG Carlton defeats Richmond 95-91
Round 1, 29 Mar 2012 MCG Richmond defeated by Carlton 81-125
Round 15, 2 Jul 2011 MCG Richmond defeated by Carlton 81-184
Round 1, 24 Mar 2011 MCG Carlton defeats Richmond 104-84
Round 20, 14 Aug 2010 MCG Carlton defeats Richmond 156-67
Out of the last 10 games the record stands 6/4 in Carlton's favour.
Round 14
Richmond
I think the following statement from Mark Thompson summed up the game verses GWS,
3AW Football @3AWisfootball
Bomber: "I still think Richmond will win, but it'll be a win without many positives."
This was during the second quarter that he made that statement , so why would he make that call? We as Richmond supporters felt quite different. All you need to do is read the Game Day thread and ride the wave of emotions. A loss was on the cards.
All week their were suggestions by all of us and media scribes that it was a danger game. It played out exactly how many predicted.
GWS were harder at the ball , tackles stuck and they didn't allow Richmond to accumulate many uncontested marks. Leon Cameron would have reviewed the games verses Melbourne and the Bulldogs. During the review he clearly would have seen that by clogging up the defence and getting out of defence by sling shot. Griffen and Ward both played half back to great effect, beautiful ball delivery and creating space for their teammates to run into.
Did Hardwick make a mistake at the selection table by playing three talls in the forward line? For two and a half quarters this was the case. With GWS running out of defensive 50 with ease, Vickery and Griffiths were unable to keep up or provide defensive pressure. It helped when Griffiths went off the ground with a shoulder injury, allowing McIntosh to provide run and carry.
The last quarter saw many of our players stand up at critical moments. Rance, Chaplin, Houli and Batchelor all won contests that saved the game. The captain just willed himself to each contest and lead by example. Both Edwards and Riewoldt kicked goals outside 50 with tired legs and a heavy ball.
The one positive out of the game was Richmond won, even though the GWS had the biggest lead of the game at three quarter time. Classic Richmond would have lost it, but the team showed a real resolve to stand up and be counted.
Carlton
Carlton loss to the Western Bulldog by nine points on Saturday evening. Their supporters would have been quite content with the result and spirit shown. Their endeavour was high and made the Bulldogs work at each contest. Injuries didn't help them out with Everitt and Cripps both coming off the ground, which changed their forward line and midfield rotations.
The game was congested and low scoring, but one thing was noticeable and that was the pace off the half back flank. Yarran, Armfield and Tuohy all are quick and dispose of the ball well. Buckley is young and runs around like a headless chicken, but runs forward and kick a brilliant goal on the night.
Even though Carlton lost, they are improving and would be growing in confidence.
Changes for Round 15
A week is a long time in football, as we have all seen from the dreadful circumstances over the last few days.
So looking back at the teams from Round one was enlightening.
The following are the potential changes for each team. As you will notice the ins and outs don't match, I'm guessing which players may be involved this week.
Richmond Outs
Ben Griffiths (inj)
Ivan Maric (susp)
Kane Lambert
Richmond Ins
Shaun Hampson
Ben Lennon
Matt McDonough
Liam McBean
Carlton Outs
Andrejs Everitt (inj)
Jason Tutt
Blaine Boekhorst
Blaine Johnson
Mark Whiley
Patrick Cripps (inj) ?
Carlton Ins
Bryce Gibbs
Andrew Carrazzo
Sam Docherty
Troy Menzel
Sam Rowe
Andrew Walker
Looking at the list of players Carlton could bring in are quite experienced. Each of their three zones are bolstered by the inclusions. On the other hand, Richmond's structure will change a great deal if Griffiths and Maric are both out this week.
Reports on Griffiths are that he had a subluxation of his shoulder. This means a partial or incomplete dislocation of the shoulder. Looks as though Griffiths will be out for a period of time.
One player we cannot lose for a week is our Beast of a ruckman, Ivan.
So how do we look at the report and will he get weeks?
He was in a boundary line ruck contest. Ivan saw Jack Steele running to contest the ruck as a third man. Trying to block the line is all part of the strategy. Ivan had eyes on Steele and went to block him. Jack was hit high, it didn't look good, but the player got straight back up and played the rest of the game.
I believe Ivan will get a week.
So what do we do without our main ruckman?
Shaun Hampson was named to play but was a late withdrawal for the VFL team. Earlier in the year he was dominating hitouts and was solid around the ground but has been out for a few weeks with an injury, so bringing him straight in has its dangers.
Yet their are no other options on our list to play as a ruckman.
The only other solution to this is to play Vickery in the ruck and McBean as a relief. Highly inadequate and could turn the whole game on its head.
Richmond Forward vs Carlton Defence
After 14 rounds Richmond's forward line has only kicked an extra 99 points compared to Carlton's. This really has been our biggest problem so far in 2015. Two areas that are a major concern is the cohesion between forwards and goal kicking.
As a forward line we haven't settled on the issue of three talls or go with a couple of hit up forwards. Due to the injury of Griffiths this may be answered for a while.
Goal kicking has lost us a few games and nearly cost us the game verse GWS.
Look at some of the shots Richmond have had over the year,
Round 1 vs Carlton 15.15
Round 2 vs WB 9.12
Round 4 vs Melb 6.15
Round 6 vs NM 10.14
Round 14 vs GWS 10.18
Bad kicking is bad football, but the team is creating chances which shows their is a system in place.
Carlton's defence is it strongest zone. Jamison normally takes on Riewoldt and has held his own. At the moment Jack is in red hot form so this battle should go along way to see who wins the four points. The half back line is quick and skilful and will need attention. Steven Morris may be able to help out. Lock down on Yarran and stop his influence. Morris form hasn't been great as a small forward and also wasn't even named in the best at the VFL. May be along shot. Rowe and White will be the other talls, they are not a major concern, but Vickery and McBean need to create a presence and hit the score board.
In saying all that Carlton have the second worse defence in the league. We must exploit them in this area.
Mids
With the inclusions this week for Carlton, the gap between the two is close. Cotchin, Deledio, Martin, Miles and Edwards have been outstanding the last few weeks. Trent has grown as a leader and leads the team. None of these little chip kicks, rather positive forward movement. Each player in our midfield has also kicked goals which creates problems for Carlton.
A bit of experience will come in for Carlton with Gibbs back from suspension and Carrazzo from injury. The rest of the mids are young and growing in the role. Graham and Cripps are good players that have steadily improved through the year. One match up that will hinge on the result is Cotchin vs Curnow. Trent has trouble with a ultra hard tag. As a team, Richmond need to provide support so Trent can use his silky skill.
Bell is another to look out for. His ability to gain possession is brilliant, but his disposals is a different matter. Richmond need to close down the space around him and create turnovers from Bell's disposal.
Richmond's Defence vs Carlton's Forwards
For many years the Richmond defence has been it's greatest weakness. This is no longer the case. Richmond have the 5th best defence in the league. The back six have gelled together so well. Not only do they stop the opposition from scoring, but their is also plenty of run. Houli and Grimes set us up from defence, while Chaplin reads the play and is a general down back. Alex Rance, is the best tall defender in the game at the moment. On so many occasions he has saved the day. Desperate defending, out marking opponents and providing great counter attack. Many are calling for Vlastuin to be moved into the midfield, but when you have a back six that works so well together you keep it going.
One area that will need to be looked at is who will plays on Casboult. Casboult can take a grab and moves ok for a big man. His kicking is a different story. This match up is important. Chaplin tends to get beaten by bigger and stronger opponents. Last week was a classic example when Sydney had Chaplin and Tippett in the forward 50 on their own. Chaplin was beaten easily, so we don't want to make the same mistake again. Menzel and Armfield will cause problems with pace and that little bit of unpredictability.
Rucks
Hampson and Vickery verse Kreuzer and Wood. Man what a battle. NOT. One for the ages. I believe that the centre bounce and around the ground ruck work will have no bearing on the result. What will make a difference is the around the ground effect. Whichever ruck combination kicks goals and has a positive disposal count will win the duel.
Result
Friday night is going to be cold with possible shower of 1-5 mm of rain. It will be another slog, with the ball on the deck for most of the game. Will a second week of high contested football effect Richmond?
Last weeks game verses the GWS would have reset the minds of the players that their are no easy games. All us Tigers supporters will be confident, yet concerned.
Richmond by 20 points
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