Absorbing match-ups at both ends of the ground shape as a major determining factor in the outcome of Richmond’s clash with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
The return from injury of key defender Jack Hombsch is a big plus for the Power, as it looks to curb the influence of the Tigers’ star main forward Jack Riewoldt, who is coming off an excellent performance against Brisbane at the MCG last Saturday.
Riewoldt not only had seven shots for goal himself, finishing with 4.3, but he had a game-high 15 score involvements and a team-high 12 contested possessions (among his 21 disposals all-up).
Get all the match day information for Friday night's clash with Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval
“Jack’s in great form . . . really reading the play well and kicking goals,” Richmond assistant coach Mark ‘Wilbur’ Williams said on this week’s episode of Roar Vision’s ‘Opposition Analysis.
“Hombsch is their anchor in the backline . . . smart, tough, very dour defender.
“It will be a really good match-up – a really important match-up for us.
“We’ve got to make sure Jack gets on top, distributes the ball well, and kicks his goals . . .
“They’ve got some good rebound defenders . . . That’s where a lot of the offensive attack starts with their switch of play and their run.
“We’ve got to make sure that we can get the ball in there (our forward 50) and keep it in there.”
Up the other end of Adelaide Oval, the Tigers will be wary of Port’s powerfully-built, prized spearhead recruit from Gold Coast, Charlie Dixon and valuable, veteran tall forward Justin Westhoff.
“Charlie Dixon’s No. 1 in the league for (being a) forward-50 target. That’s obviously why they got him, Williams said.
“They look for him all the time, and he hasn’t let them down . . . He’s been a tower of strength up there . . .
“And (Justin) Westhoff, we know what he’s like.
“He’s always dangerous, he’s a smart player, he finds space, and he finishes his work.
“So, we’ve got to be on the ball with these two blokes, and make sure that they don’t mark the ball.”
Williams also acknowledged Port Adelaide’s capacity to create problems at ground level for opposition defences through players such as Jake Neade and Jarman Impey.
“They’re (the Power team) very good at snapping goals. I think they’re No. 2 or 3 for snap goals inside 50 from crumbs,” he said.
“They’re very nippy, young players (Impey and Neade).
“Their agility and their pace can be really damaging. And they find space as well . . .
“We’ve got to cut the supply (to them), be really physical with these blokes, and make sure they don’t have an impact on the game.”
Williams is confident, however, Richmond has the required quality resources in its backline to prevent Port Adelaide’s forwards from having a night out.
“(Alex) Rance, (Dylan) Grimes and (Nick) Vlastuin are our three best possession-gain players and dour defenders as well,” he said.
“They’ve been our strength in the backline, not only in defence, but they’ve also sprung our offense as well.
‘Rancey’ gets a good player every week, so it’s always great watching him go against the best, ‘Grimesy’ has really grown, and Nick Vlastuin probably had his best game for the season last week (v Brisbane) . . .
“We’re really looking forward to those three blokes standing up again.”
