A fast start shapes as a key factor in Richmond’s quest for success against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

The Tigers have won only one of seven first quarters this season, while Port has lost just one opening term.

And, no Tiger fan needs reminding of the last time the two teams met – the 2014 Elimination Final at the same venue – when the Power piled on 8.1 to 1.1 in a first-quarter blitz.

Taking the vocal home crowd out of the equation early would significantly boost Richmond’s winning prospects.

“Our first quarters haven’t been great so far this year, so it’s going to be a focus for us,” Richmond assistant coach Ben Rutten said on this week’s ‘Spotlight’ episode. 

“We know it’s going to be a fierce contest early. 

“Port have lost a couple in-a-row now, so they’re going to be coming out firing. 

“Ken Hinkley’s sort of challenged their work-rate a little bit, so we’re expecting a fierce contest early.”

Where:  Adelaide Oval
When:  Sunday, May 24, 4.40pm (EST)
TV coverage:  Fox Footy (live from 4.30pm)
Radio coverage:  3AW, SEN, Triple M, ABC

Click here to see Sportsbet.com.au’s latest odds for each match and their H2H promotion for if your team lead at any break but lose.

The Richmond squad (to be finalised on Friday evening)

B: Grimes, Batchelor, Rance
HB: Houli, Vlastuin, Chaplin
C: B.Ellis, Cotchin, McIntosh
HF: Martin, Edwards, MIles
F: Riewoldt, Vickery, Deledio
R: Maric, Grigg, Hunt
IC from: Elton, Morris, McBean, C.Ellis, Menadue, Griffiths, Arnot

In: Edwards, Griffiths, Arnot
Out: Nil 

See how Port Adelaide is lining up in Round 8 this weekend

Richmond v Port Adelaide recent history

Elimination Final, 2014, Adelaide Oval
Richmond            1.1          3.2          6.5          11.9  (75)
Port Adelaide    8.1          14.5        19.8        20.12  (132)
Goals – Richmond:  Riewoldt 3, Gordon 2, Conca, Deledio, S. Edwards, Griffiths, Grigg, Maric.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Deledio 29, Martin 29, Houli 27, Miles 24, Ellis 20, Grigg 20.
Goals – Port Adelaide:  Neade 3, Ebert 2, Monfries 2, Polec 2, Schulz 2, Westhoff 2, Wines 2, Wingard 2, Boak, Gray, White.
Leading possession-getters – Port Adelaide:  Boak 34, Gray 25, Wines 24, Cornes 22, Jonas 2,, Wingard 22, Westhoff 21. 

Round 17, 2014, Etihad Stadium
Richmond            4.2          11.6        14.7        19.12  (126)
Port Adelaide    3.3          8.4          12.6        16.10  (106)
Goals – Richmond:  Lloyd 3, Riewoldt 3, Chaplin 2, Petterd 2, Vickery 2, Cotchin, Deledio, S. Edwards. Houli, Jackson, Martin, Vlastuin.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond:  Ellis 29, Miles 28, Cotchin 26, Deledio 26, Martin 25, Houli 23, Petterd 22, Riewoldt 22.
Goals – Port Adelaide:  R. Gray 4, Broadbent 2, Schulz 2, White 2, Boak, S. Gray, Hartlett, Polec, Wines, Wingard.
Leading possession-getters – Port Adelaide:  Boak 39, Cornes 26, Wines 25, Hartlett 21, Logan 19.

Round 7, 2013, AAMI Stadium
Richmond            8.2          11.5        15.6        18.6  (114)
Port Adelaide    2.1          4.5          6.10        10.13  (73)
Goals – Richmond:  Riewoldt 5, King 3, Grigg 2, Newman 2, Knights, Martin, McGuane, Nahas, Tuck, Vlastuin.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond:  Martin 33, Deledio 32, Houli 24, Ellis 23, Vlastuin 23, Rance 22, S. Edwards 21.
Goals – Port Adelaide:  Schulz 3, Mitchell 2, Broadbent, Gray, Monfries, Moore, Wingard.
Leading possession-getters – Port Adelaide:  Cornes 29, Boak 24, Ebert 19, Wingard 18. 

Round 23, 2012, MCG
Richmond                            5.1          6.6          11.8        16.10  (106)
Port Adelaide                    2.5          6.7          12.8        16.10  (106)
Goals – Richmond:  Riewoldt 6, Edwards 3, McGuane 2, Astbury, Grigg, Nahas, Post, Tuck.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond:  Cotchin 31, Houli 26, Tuck 26, Jackson 24, Deledio 23, Grigg 20, Morris 20.
Goals – Port Adelaide:  Schulz 4, Ebert 3, Broadbent 2, Pearce, Rodan, Thomas, Wingard, Young.
Leading possession-getters – Port Adelaide:  Cornes 29, Broadbent 23, Ebert 22, Boak 21, Cassisi 21. 

Round 6, 2012, AAMI Stadium
Richmond            3.2          8.7          9.10        13.13  (91)
Port Adelaide    1.2          2.2          6.4          8.6  (54)
Goals – Richmond:  Riewoldt 4, Nahas 3, King 2, Conca, Deledio, Miller, Newman.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond:  Tuck 28, Grigg 25, Deledio 24, Martin 24, Rance 24, Houli 23, Morris 21, Batchelor 20, Conca 20, I. Maric 20.
Goals – Port Adelaide:  Broadbent 2, Renouf 2, Butcher, Jacobs, Stewart, Young.
Leading possession-getters – Port Adelaide:  Ebert 30, Boak 25, Hartlett 24, Jacobs 23, Cassisi 20.  

Richmond v Port Adelaide head-to-head

  • Richmond and Port Adelaide have played 25 times, with the Tigers winning nine, losing 15, and one draw.
  • Richmond last defeated Port Adelaide in Round 17, 2014 at Etihad Stadium – 19.12 (126) to 16.10 (106).
  • Richmond has won five, lost four and drawn one of its last 10 matches against Port.
  • Richmond’s best winning sequence against Port is two, from 1997-98, and 2013-14.
  • Richmond’s longest losing sequence against Port is seven, from 1999-04.
  • Richmond’s highest score against Port is 22.14 (146), in Round 21, 1997 at the MCG.
  • Richmond’s lowest score against Port is 3.12 (30), Round 11, 1999 at AAMI Stadium.
  • Richmond’s greatest winning margin against Port is 85 points, Round 21, 1997 at the MCG.
  • Richmond’s greatest losing margin against Port is 84 points, Round 12, 2002 at AAMI Stadium.
  • The most goals kicked by a Richmond player in a match against Port is six by Nathan Brown, Round 6, 2005 at Etihad Stadium, and six by Cleve Hughes, Round 13, 2008 at AAMI Stadium.
  • Richmond’s biggest-ever crowd against Port is 49,886, at the 2014 Elimination Final, Adelaide Oval.