TonyK
CibbuanoRound one preview: Richmond v Carlton
March 25th 2009 22:06
VENUE and TIME: MCG, Thursday 26 March, 7.40pm (AEDT)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 201, Richmond 85, Carlton 115, Draws 2
LAST TIME: Carlton 17.16 (118) def Richmond 12.16 (88), Round 14 2008 at the MCG
RECENT HISTORY: Richmond has won three of its past five against the Blues.
MEDICAL ROOM: The Tigers will be without former captain Kane Johnson (knee), exciting youngster Trent Cotchin (Achilles) and forward Kayne Pettifer (knee) while injury prone midfielder Mark Coughlan (hamstring) may play in the VFL
For the Blues, spearhead Brendan Fevola (heel) will play as will Heath Scotland (groin). Utility Andrew Walker has had a limited pre-season and will miss while midfielder Andrew Carrazzo (arm), former Fremantle ruckman Robert Warnock (foot) and veteran Nick Stevens (suspended) are unavailable.
FORM: Both sides had a solid pre-season, winning two games apiece. The Tigers defeated Fremantle at Subiaco Oval in the first round of the NAB Cup but were knocked out a week later by Collingwood. Carlton were defeated by pre-season premiers Geelong in the semi-finals then lost to the Dockers in a NAB Challenge match in Bunbury.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Kelvin Moore vs. Brendon Fevola
Fevola is the main man the Tigers must stop if they are going to kick-off their 2009 campaign with a win.
The 28-year-old has a pretty good record against Richmond - he has booted 26 goals in nine games.
If Richmond is able to contain Fevola, who booted 99 goals last season, then it will go a long way towards securing the four premiership points as the Blues are heavily reliant on their star forward - the next best on the goal-kicking table for Carlton in 2008 was Eddie Betts and Brad Fisher - who won’t play against the Tigers - with 25 majors apiece
Moore was impressive in defence last season, playing all 22 matches and averaging 15.7 disposals per game.
The 24-year-old is likely to be given first crack at Fevola in what shapes as being a crucial match-up in determining the outcome of this match.
Fevola is at his most dangerous on the lead so Moore will need the Richmond midfield to apply plenty of pressure and prevent the Blues from delivering the football cleanly inside forward 50.
Daniel Jackson vs. Chris Judd
Judd has a stellar pre-season and looks set to return to his explosive best.
Most fans will be hoping for a duel between Judd and former West Coast teammate Ben Cousins but the days of star midfielders lining up on each other for extended periods of time are a thing of the past.
Jackson has been given some big run-with roles during his 47-game career and looms as a likely candidate to tag Judd.
The 2004 Brownlow medallist is particularly damaging at the stoppages and at his best he is capable of turning a game on its head in the space of a quarter, so Jackson will need to play tight, accountable football all night.
However, Jackson also needs to make sure he isn’t too reactive and also gets his fair share of the football and force Judd to worry about his direct opponent.
Jarrad Waite vs. Matthew Richardson
Richardson had a career-best year last season, averaging 18.2 disposals, 11.1 marks and 2.4 goals per game.
The 34-year-old, who fell agonisingly short of winning the Brownlow medal, looks set for another big year after an impressive pre-season.
When these two sides met in round one last year Richardson proved to be the difference between the two sides, collecting 15 disposals, pulling down 11 marks and booting five goals to lift his team to a 30-point win.
Waite has the height and athleticism to go with Richardson while Jordan Russell is another option for Carlton coach Brett Ratten.
Whoever is given the job on Richardson will need to push forward and make the Tigers veteran accountable.
However, in order for this to work the Blues will need to make sure they don’t become too Fevola conscious when going forward, otherwise Richardson will simply roam around at will, plug the space in front of Fevola and help the Tigers set up their attacking forays forward.
Bryce Gibbs vs. Brett Deledio
Deledio came of age in 2008, winning the club’s best-and-fairest award after averaging 24.4 disposals a game and booting 28 goals.
The last time these two sides met in round 14 Deledio was one of his side’s best, racking up 30 possessions and booting one goal in a performance that earned him one Brownlow medal vote.
The Blues will be keen to shut-down Deledio’s run and ability to pump the ball inside 50 and will most likely throw young gun Bryce Gibbs the task of running with Deledio in what shapes as being an intriguing contest between two of the games brightest young stars.
Gibbs is more than capable of winning plenty of the football and is also effective in shutting down some of the game’s best players - highlighted by his performance in round 16 last year when he racked up 26 possessions and restricted Sydney star Adam Goodes to a meagre seven disposals.
VERDICT: Two teams that are expected to be the big improvers in 2009 will face-off on Thursday night in front of an expected crowd of 80,000 plus. The Blues will have four players make their AFL debut against the Tigers and how well they cope with the pressure of playing in front of such a big crowd will play a key role in determining the outcome of this clash. Both sides have classy midfields and young, developing backlines but it is in the forward line where Richmond appears to have a slight edge. While the Blues rely heavily on Fevola, the Tigers boast the likes of Deledio, Richardson, Nathan Brown, Mitch Morton and Jack Riewoldt who are capable of kicking multiple goals. Richmond’s even spread of goal-kickers should prove to be the difference in what shapes as being a hard-fought contest. Tigers by 15 points.
RICHMOND v CARLTON
RICHMOND
B: Chris Newman, Kelvin Moore, Andrew Raines
HB: Joel Bowden, Luke McGuane, Jordan McMahon
C: Shane Edwards, Shane Tuck, Matthew White
HF: Nathan Brown, Matthew Richardson, Jack Riewoldt
F: Ben Cousins, Jay Schulz, Richard Tambling
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley
I/C: Will Thursfield, Andrew Browne, Mitch Morton, Daniel Jackson
EMG: Andrew Collins, Dean Polo, Alex Rance
New: Andrew Browne (Murray U18, rookie list), Ben Cousins (West Coast, pre-season draft)
CARLTON
B: Paul Bower, Michael Jamison, Aaron Joseph
HB: Jordan Russell, Bret Thornton, Heath Scotland
C: Kade Simpson, Marc Murphy, Chris Johnson
HF: Ryan Houlihan, Jarrad Waite, Jeff Garlett
F: Cameron Cloke, Brendan Fevola, Eddie Betts
Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Judd
I/C: Richard Hadley, Sam Jacobs, Mitch Robinson, Simon Wiggins
EMG: Dennis Armfield, Shaun Hampson, Andrew Walker
New: Jeff Garlett (Swan Districts, rookie list), Sam Jacobs (Woodville-West Torrens, rookie list), Chris Johnson (Melbourne, pre-season draft), Aaron Joseph (Tassie Mariners, rookie list), Mitch Robinson (Tassie Mariners, 2008 NAB AFL Draft)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 201, Richmond 85, Carlton 115, Draws 2
LAST TIME: Carlton 17.16 (118) def Richmond 12.16 (88), Round 14 2008 at the MCG
RECENT HISTORY: Richmond has won three of its past five against the Blues.
MEDICAL ROOM: The Tigers will be without former captain Kane Johnson (knee), exciting youngster Trent Cotchin (Achilles) and forward Kayne Pettifer (knee) while injury prone midfielder Mark Coughlan (hamstring) may play in the VFL
For the Blues, spearhead Brendan Fevola (heel) will play as will Heath Scotland (groin). Utility Andrew Walker has had a limited pre-season and will miss while midfielder Andrew Carrazzo (arm), former Fremantle ruckman Robert Warnock (foot) and veteran Nick Stevens (suspended) are unavailable.
FORM: Both sides had a solid pre-season, winning two games apiece. The Tigers defeated Fremantle at Subiaco Oval in the first round of the NAB Cup but were knocked out a week later by Collingwood. Carlton were defeated by pre-season premiers Geelong in the semi-finals then lost to the Dockers in a NAB Challenge match in Bunbury.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Kelvin Moore vs. Brendon Fevola
Fevola is the main man the Tigers must stop if they are going to kick-off their 2009 campaign with a win.
The 28-year-old has a pretty good record against Richmond - he has booted 26 goals in nine games.
If Richmond is able to contain Fevola, who booted 99 goals last season, then it will go a long way towards securing the four premiership points as the Blues are heavily reliant on their star forward - the next best on the goal-kicking table for Carlton in 2008 was Eddie Betts and Brad Fisher - who won’t play against the Tigers - with 25 majors apiece
Moore was impressive in defence last season, playing all 22 matches and averaging 15.7 disposals per game.
The 24-year-old is likely to be given first crack at Fevola in what shapes as being a crucial match-up in determining the outcome of this match.
Fevola is at his most dangerous on the lead so Moore will need the Richmond midfield to apply plenty of pressure and prevent the Blues from delivering the football cleanly inside forward 50.
Daniel Jackson vs. Chris Judd
Judd has a stellar pre-season and looks set to return to his explosive best.
Most fans will be hoping for a duel between Judd and former West Coast teammate Ben Cousins but the days of star midfielders lining up on each other for extended periods of time are a thing of the past.
Jackson has been given some big run-with roles during his 47-game career and looms as a likely candidate to tag Judd.
The 2004 Brownlow medallist is particularly damaging at the stoppages and at his best he is capable of turning a game on its head in the space of a quarter, so Jackson will need to play tight, accountable football all night.
However, Jackson also needs to make sure he isn’t too reactive and also gets his fair share of the football and force Judd to worry about his direct opponent.
Jarrad Waite vs. Matthew Richardson
Richardson had a career-best year last season, averaging 18.2 disposals, 11.1 marks and 2.4 goals per game.
The 34-year-old, who fell agonisingly short of winning the Brownlow medal, looks set for another big year after an impressive pre-season.
When these two sides met in round one last year Richardson proved to be the difference between the two sides, collecting 15 disposals, pulling down 11 marks and booting five goals to lift his team to a 30-point win.
Waite has the height and athleticism to go with Richardson while Jordan Russell is another option for Carlton coach Brett Ratten.
Whoever is given the job on Richardson will need to push forward and make the Tigers veteran accountable.
However, in order for this to work the Blues will need to make sure they don’t become too Fevola conscious when going forward, otherwise Richardson will simply roam around at will, plug the space in front of Fevola and help the Tigers set up their attacking forays forward.
Bryce Gibbs vs. Brett Deledio
Deledio came of age in 2008, winning the club’s best-and-fairest award after averaging 24.4 disposals a game and booting 28 goals.
The last time these two sides met in round 14 Deledio was one of his side’s best, racking up 30 possessions and booting one goal in a performance that earned him one Brownlow medal vote.
The Blues will be keen to shut-down Deledio’s run and ability to pump the ball inside 50 and will most likely throw young gun Bryce Gibbs the task of running with Deledio in what shapes as being an intriguing contest between two of the games brightest young stars.
Gibbs is more than capable of winning plenty of the football and is also effective in shutting down some of the game’s best players - highlighted by his performance in round 16 last year when he racked up 26 possessions and restricted Sydney star Adam Goodes to a meagre seven disposals.
VERDICT: Two teams that are expected to be the big improvers in 2009 will face-off on Thursday night in front of an expected crowd of 80,000 plus. The Blues will have four players make their AFL debut against the Tigers and how well they cope with the pressure of playing in front of such a big crowd will play a key role in determining the outcome of this clash. Both sides have classy midfields and young, developing backlines but it is in the forward line where Richmond appears to have a slight edge. While the Blues rely heavily on Fevola, the Tigers boast the likes of Deledio, Richardson, Nathan Brown, Mitch Morton and Jack Riewoldt who are capable of kicking multiple goals. Richmond’s even spread of goal-kickers should prove to be the difference in what shapes as being a hard-fought contest. Tigers by 15 points.
RICHMOND v CARLTON
RICHMOND
B: Chris Newman, Kelvin Moore, Andrew Raines
HB: Joel Bowden, Luke McGuane, Jordan McMahon
C: Shane Edwards, Shane Tuck, Matthew White
HF: Nathan Brown, Matthew Richardson, Jack Riewoldt
F: Ben Cousins, Jay Schulz, Richard Tambling
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley
I/C: Will Thursfield, Andrew Browne, Mitch Morton, Daniel Jackson
EMG: Andrew Collins, Dean Polo, Alex Rance
New: Andrew Browne (Murray U18, rookie list), Ben Cousins (West Coast, pre-season draft)
CARLTON
B: Paul Bower, Michael Jamison, Aaron Joseph
HB: Jordan Russell, Bret Thornton, Heath Scotland
C: Kade Simpson, Marc Murphy, Chris Johnson
HF: Ryan Houlihan, Jarrad Waite, Jeff Garlett
F: Cameron Cloke, Brendan Fevola, Eddie Betts
Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Judd
I/C: Richard Hadley, Sam Jacobs, Mitch Robinson, Simon Wiggins
EMG: Dennis Armfield, Shaun Hampson, Andrew Walker
New: Jeff Garlett (Swan Districts, rookie list), Sam Jacobs (Woodville-West Torrens, rookie list), Chris Johnson (Melbourne, pre-season draft), Aaron Joseph (Tassie Mariners, rookie list), Mitch Robinson (Tassie Mariners, 2008 NAB AFL Draft)
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