Notwithstanding the impressive evenness and depth of talent within the line-up of ladder leader North Melbourne, there is one particular player that has figured prominently in Richmond’s planning for Friday night’s big clash at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena.
Talented, veteran forward Jarrad Waite is probably in the best form of his long AFL career this season. He’s kicked 27 goals in 10 games and been an excellent focal point in attack for the Roos.
Given Waite has kicked more goals (while at Carlton and now North) against Richmond (34 in total) than any other league club, including a match-winning four in last year’s elimination final, it’s no wonder the Tigers are wary of him.
Richmond assistant coach Ben Rutten, who is in charge of the team’s backline, believes nullifying Waite’s influence will be crucial to the outcome of the match, with star key defender Alex Rance likely to get the job on him.
“We’ve been looking a bit at some of his stuff . . . He’s hitting the scoreboard, and he’s also really good at the tackles and the pressure in their forward-50, which, as a big bloke, is a really valuable asset,” Richmond assistant coach Ben Rutten said on this week’s edition of Roar Vision’s ‘Opposition Analysis’.
“When he’s able to have a free run at the ball, and do what he likes, he can do some really good things.
“It’s going to be a big match-up for us . . . a pivotal contest.”
Waite isn’t the only dangerous, tall North Melbourne forward, with Ben Brown (19 goals for the season) and Drew Petrie (12 goals) also posing plenty of problems for opposition defences.
“They’re big and strong and can all take good marks,” Rutten said of the Roos’ tall forward trio.
“So, they (the North Melbourne team) like to kick the ball deep inside 50, and get those big guys to compete in the air.
“It’s going to be an important contest against our key backs.”
Star North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein, reportedly, is in some doubt to play because of knee soreness, but if he does line up, Richmond is fully aware of his capacity to dominate contests.
“He’s been the premier ruckman for probably two or three years now,” Rutten said.
“Big ‘Hammer’ (Shaun Hampson) has been playing some really good footy for us as well. So, it’s an important match-up in the centre.
“Whoever’s midfield gets first look at it, is going to be important . . .
“There’s some big bodies in there (North’s midfield) . . . inside midfielders and, obviously, that’s linked in with Goldstein in the ruck department as well.
“But our midfield’s been playing some pretty good footy . . .
“We’re prepared to back our midfielders in against them.”
