TonyK
CibbuanoRound eighteen preview: Melbourne v Richmond
August 1st 2009 15:23
VENUE and TIME: MCG, Sunday 2 August, 1.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 176: Melbourne 76, Richmond 98, Drawn 2
LAST TIME: Melbourne 14.16 (100) d Richmond 13.14 (92) at MCG, Round 4, 2009
RECENT HISTORY: Richmond has won three of its past four matches against Melbourne.
FORM: Richmond broke through for just its fourth win of the season last Sunday, upsetting eighth-placed Essendon by five points. The Tigers have won two and drawn one of six games since Jade Rawlings became caretaker coach. Melbourne’s form in the past month has been pretty good - they backed up successive wins over West Coast and Port Adelaide with competitive losses to Geelong and Sydney. The Demons are at the bottom of the AFL ladder with three wins for the year.
MEDICAL ROOM: Richmond welcomes back defender Kelvin Moore from a calf injury but Jarrod Silvester (knee) will miss while veteran Matthew Richardson’s playing future is in doubt after injuring his hamstring once again in the VFL. Nathan Foley (ankle) and Kayne Pettier (knee) won’t play again this season. For the Demons, Jack Grimes and James Frawley return from back injuries but Jordie McKenzie (calf), Liam Jurrah (ankle) and Brent Moloney (groin) will miss. Jack Watts (hand), Paul Wheatley (quad), Austin Wonaeamirri (knee), Brock McLean (knee) and Mark Jamar (quad) remain on the sidelines. Brad Green (wrist), Daniel Bell (shoulder) and Colin Garland (foot) are out for the year.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Clint Bartram vs. Brett Deledio
Deledio was instrumental in the Tigers’ shock five-point win over Essendon with 26 possessions, one goal and four inside 50’s.
Last year’s best-and-fairest winner is damaging with his ability to break the lines and pump the football inside 50.
Shutting down the drive he provides will be a key for the Demons if they are going to starve Richmond’s forwards of quality supply.
Bartram is Melbourne’s best stopper in the middle and will get the job on Deledio in what shapes as being a pivotal duel.
The Demons will need Bartram to try and get under Deledio’s skin early and deny him any time or space at the stoppages otherwise he will hurt them with his blistering pace and penetrating kick.
Daniel Jackson vs. Aaron Davey
Davey played a key role in the Demons’ win over Richmond in round four with a team-high 25 possessions and one goal.
The 25-year-old is highly effective at setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his clean use of the football.
Jackson has been a shining light for the Tigers this season, quelling the influence of some of the best midfielders in the competition and winning his fair share of the football - he has averaged 24 touches per game in 2009.
Expect the Tigers midfielder to run off Davey at every available opportunity and try and expose the defensive side of his game.
It is vital for Melbourne that Davey works hard going both ways.
Jared Rivers vs. Jack Riewoldt
Riewoldt played the best game of his short career last weekend, booting a career-best six goals.
If the Demons are going to have any hope of recording just their fourth win of the season they will need to contain Riewoldt who has kicked 12 goals in his past three matches.
Rivers, who kept Sydney forward Jesse White to a meagre four possessions and one goal, will be given first crack at the Tigers young gun.
The Melbourne defender will need his teammates to suffocate the Tigers’ running game with their pressure skills otherwise Riewoldt will receive plenty of quality supply.
Luke McGuane and Brad Miller
Miller was among his side’s best in the win over Richmond earlier in the year with 17 possessions, 10 marks and three goals.
The Demons will need a similar performance from Miller on Sunday if they are going to have any hope of coming away with the four premiership points.
McGuane, who kept Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd goalless last weekend, looms as the obvious candidate to line-up on Miller in what shapes as being a crucial match-up.
Last weekend against the Swans Miller dominated across half-forward, taking 10 marks but he failed to capitalise in front of goal - he booted a wasteful 1.3 - the Demons will need him to make the most of his opportunities.
VERDICT: Melbourne may have secured the four points against Richmond earlier in the year but the Tigers are a vastly different side now under the guidance of Rawlings. The Demons are missing several key players due to injury and will struggle to make it two from two against the yellow and black. Expect Dean Bailey’s men to stick with Richmond for the first half before the class of Ben Cousins, Trent Cotchin and Deledio comes to the fore. Tigers by 38 points.
MELBOURNE v RICHMOND
MELBOURNE
B: James Frawley, Matthew Warnock, Kyle Cheney
HB: Jack Grimes, Jared Rivers, Cameron Bruce
C: Clint Bartram, James McDonald, Aaron Davey
HF: Jamie Bennell, Michael Newton, Lynden Dunn
F: Brad Miller, Matthew Bate, Stefan Martin
Foll: Paul Johnson, Ricky Petterd, Nathan Jones
I/C: Cale Morton, Matthew Whelan, Neville Jetta, Shane Valenti
Emg: Colin Sylvia, Jake Spencer, Simon Buckley
In: Frawley, Grimes, Jetta
Out: Jordie McKenzie (calf), Liam Jurrah (ankle), Brent Moloney (groin)
RiICHMOND
B: Jake King, Will Thursfield, Chris Newman
HB: Dean Polo, Luke McGuane, Matthew White
C: Shane Edwards, Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio
HF: Robin Nahas, Jack Riewoldt, Jayden Post
F: Nathan Brown, Mitch Morton, Ben Cousins
Foll: Tyrone Vickery, Daniel Jackson, Richard Tambling
I/C: Adam Pattison, Tom Hislop, Jordan McMahon, Kel Moore
Emg: Shane Tuck, Alex Rance, Mark Coughlan
In: Moore
Out: Jarrod Silvester (knee)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 176: Melbourne 76, Richmond 98, Drawn 2
LAST TIME: Melbourne 14.16 (100) d Richmond 13.14 (92) at MCG, Round 4, 2009
RECENT HISTORY: Richmond has won three of its past four matches against Melbourne.
FORM: Richmond broke through for just its fourth win of the season last Sunday, upsetting eighth-placed Essendon by five points. The Tigers have won two and drawn one of six games since Jade Rawlings became caretaker coach. Melbourne’s form in the past month has been pretty good - they backed up successive wins over West Coast and Port Adelaide with competitive losses to Geelong and Sydney. The Demons are at the bottom of the AFL ladder with three wins for the year.
MEDICAL ROOM: Richmond welcomes back defender Kelvin Moore from a calf injury but Jarrod Silvester (knee) will miss while veteran Matthew Richardson’s playing future is in doubt after injuring his hamstring once again in the VFL. Nathan Foley (ankle) and Kayne Pettier (knee) won’t play again this season. For the Demons, Jack Grimes and James Frawley return from back injuries but Jordie McKenzie (calf), Liam Jurrah (ankle) and Brent Moloney (groin) will miss. Jack Watts (hand), Paul Wheatley (quad), Austin Wonaeamirri (knee), Brock McLean (knee) and Mark Jamar (quad) remain on the sidelines. Brad Green (wrist), Daniel Bell (shoulder) and Colin Garland (foot) are out for the year.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Clint Bartram vs. Brett Deledio
Deledio was instrumental in the Tigers’ shock five-point win over Essendon with 26 possessions, one goal and four inside 50’s.
Last year’s best-and-fairest winner is damaging with his ability to break the lines and pump the football inside 50.
Shutting down the drive he provides will be a key for the Demons if they are going to starve Richmond’s forwards of quality supply.
Bartram is Melbourne’s best stopper in the middle and will get the job on Deledio in what shapes as being a pivotal duel.
The Demons will need Bartram to try and get under Deledio’s skin early and deny him any time or space at the stoppages otherwise he will hurt them with his blistering pace and penetrating kick.
Daniel Jackson vs. Aaron Davey
Davey played a key role in the Demons’ win over Richmond in round four with a team-high 25 possessions and one goal.
The 25-year-old is highly effective at setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his clean use of the football.
Jackson has been a shining light for the Tigers this season, quelling the influence of some of the best midfielders in the competition and winning his fair share of the football - he has averaged 24 touches per game in 2009.
Expect the Tigers midfielder to run off Davey at every available opportunity and try and expose the defensive side of his game.
It is vital for Melbourne that Davey works hard going both ways.
Jared Rivers vs. Jack Riewoldt
Riewoldt played the best game of his short career last weekend, booting a career-best six goals.
If the Demons are going to have any hope of recording just their fourth win of the season they will need to contain Riewoldt who has kicked 12 goals in his past three matches.
Rivers, who kept Sydney forward Jesse White to a meagre four possessions and one goal, will be given first crack at the Tigers young gun.
The Melbourne defender will need his teammates to suffocate the Tigers’ running game with their pressure skills otherwise Riewoldt will receive plenty of quality supply.
Luke McGuane and Brad Miller
Miller was among his side’s best in the win over Richmond earlier in the year with 17 possessions, 10 marks and three goals.
The Demons will need a similar performance from Miller on Sunday if they are going to have any hope of coming away with the four premiership points.
McGuane, who kept Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd goalless last weekend, looms as the obvious candidate to line-up on Miller in what shapes as being a crucial match-up.
Last weekend against the Swans Miller dominated across half-forward, taking 10 marks but he failed to capitalise in front of goal - he booted a wasteful 1.3 - the Demons will need him to make the most of his opportunities.
VERDICT: Melbourne may have secured the four points against Richmond earlier in the year but the Tigers are a vastly different side now under the guidance of Rawlings. The Demons are missing several key players due to injury and will struggle to make it two from two against the yellow and black. Expect Dean Bailey’s men to stick with Richmond for the first half before the class of Ben Cousins, Trent Cotchin and Deledio comes to the fore. Tigers by 38 points.
MELBOURNE v RICHMOND
MELBOURNE
B: James Frawley, Matthew Warnock, Kyle Cheney
HB: Jack Grimes, Jared Rivers, Cameron Bruce
C: Clint Bartram, James McDonald, Aaron Davey
HF: Jamie Bennell, Michael Newton, Lynden Dunn
F: Brad Miller, Matthew Bate, Stefan Martin
Foll: Paul Johnson, Ricky Petterd, Nathan Jones
I/C: Cale Morton, Matthew Whelan, Neville Jetta, Shane Valenti
Emg: Colin Sylvia, Jake Spencer, Simon Buckley
In: Frawley, Grimes, Jetta
Out: Jordie McKenzie (calf), Liam Jurrah (ankle), Brent Moloney (groin)
RiICHMOND
B: Jake King, Will Thursfield, Chris Newman
HB: Dean Polo, Luke McGuane, Matthew White
C: Shane Edwards, Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio
HF: Robin Nahas, Jack Riewoldt, Jayden Post
F: Nathan Brown, Mitch Morton, Ben Cousins
Foll: Tyrone Vickery, Daniel Jackson, Richard Tambling
I/C: Adam Pattison, Tom Hislop, Jordan McMahon, Kel Moore
Emg: Shane Tuck, Alex Rance, Mark Coughlan
In: Moore
Out: Jarrod Silvester (knee)
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