How new Richmond ruckman Shaun Hampson fares against his former club Carlton is likely to have a significant bearing on the outcome of tonight’s blockbuster Round 2 clash at the MCG.
Hampson, who departed the Blues during last year’s AFL trade period, after a 63-game career in seven seasons with them, has grasped an opportunity at Tigerland that has now become even bigger due to the absence of the team’s injured No. 1 ruckman Ivan Maric.
The 26-year-old, athletic big man followed up a strong pre-season, with an impressive debut performance for the Tigers in the opening round against Gold Coast.
Tickets are on sale for Thursday night's big clash against Carlton. Buy your tickets here.
In last year’s elimination final, it was Robert Warnock’s ruck dominance during the second half that ignited Carlton’s comeback. He repeatedly got first hands on the ball, enabling the Blues’ midfielders to seize the initiative from their Richmond counterparts.
If Hampson can at least break even in the all-important centre-bounce ruck duels, and exert an influence around the ground, the Tigers will be well-placed to secure victory.
Where: MCG
When: Thursday, March 27, 7.45pm (Daylight Savings Time)
TV coverage: Channel 7 (live) and Fox Footy (live)
Radio coverage: Triple M, 3AW, SEN, ABC
The Richmond team
B: Chaplin, Astbury, Grimes
HB: Houli, Vlastuin, Morris
C: Grigg, Deledio, Ellis
HF: Petterd, Martin, King
F: S. Edwards, Riewoldt, Vickery
R: Hampson, Thomas, Cotchin
IC: Conca, Foley, Griffiths, Newman
Em: A. Edwards, Lloyd, McDonough
In: King, Grimes
Out: Rance (injured – foot ), McDonough (omitted)
The Carlton team
B: Watson, Jamison, Everitt
HB: Yarran, Tuohy, Simpson
C: Curnow, McLean, Gibbs
HF: Bell, Henderson, Garlett
F: Ellard, Waite, Robinson
R: Warnock, Murphy, Thomas
IC: Kreuzer, Lucas, Menzel, White
Em: Buckley, Cachie, Rowe
In: White, Lucas
Out: Walker (suspended), McInnes (omitted)
Richmond v Carlton recent history
Elimination final, 2013 at the MCG
Richmond 3.5 10.7 12.10 14.12 (96)
Carlton 2.3 6.5 12.6 18.8 (116)
Goals –Richmond: Cotchin 2, A. Edwards 2, Maric 2, Vickery 2, Ellis, Martin, Newman, Petterd, Riewoldt, Tuck.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Cotchin 26, Deledio 24, Jackson 21, Houli 20, Rance 20.
Goals – Carlton: Duigan 4, Waite 4, Betts 3, Garlett 2, Robinson 2, Judd, Scotland, Warnock.
Leading possession-getters – Carlton: Gibbs 27, Murphy 26, Judd 25, Robinson 21.
Round 21, 2013 at the MCG
Richmond 8.2 10.3 12.7 14.12 (96)
Carlton 3.2 9.4 13.4 16.10 (106)
Goals –Richmond: Vickery 3, Ellis 2, Riewoldt 2, Grigg, Jackson, Maric, McGuane, Petterd, Rance, Vlastuin.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Deledio 29, Grigg 23, Jackson 23, Conca 18, Houli 18.
Goals –Carlton: Casboult 3, Henderson 3, McLean 3, Gibbs 2, Menzel 2, Robinson, Simpson, Tuohy.
Leading possession-getters – Carlton: McLean 27, Walker 27, Robinson 25, Simpson 25, Gibbs 23, Murphy 23, Scotland 22.
Round 1, 2013 at the MCG
Richmond 2.9 9.14 14.18 14.22 (106)
Carlton 3.3 4.6 9.12 14.17 (101)
Goals – Richmond: Deledio 3, Vickery 3, King 2, McGuane 2, Conca, Houli, Jackson, Martin.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Cotchin 33, Tuck 27, Jackson 24, Grigg 23, Martin 21.
Goals – Carlton: Betts 2, Garlett 2, Gibbs 2, Judd 2, Kreuzer 2, Murphy 2, Hampson, Yarran.
Leading possession-getters – Carlton: Gibbs 34, Judd 27, Walker 26, Carrazzo 24, Simpson 22.
Round 18, 2012 at the MCG
Richmond 5.2 5.7 8.11 13.13 (91)
Carlton 4.2 7.5 10.11 14.11 (95)
Goals – Richmond: Cotchin 3, Martin 3, Nahas 2, Tuck 2, Grigg, McGuane, Newman.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Tuck 31, Cotchin 24, Deledio 22, Grigg 22, Ellis 20, Martin 19.
Goals – Carlton: Betts 4, Armfield 2, Thornton 2, Bell, Carrazzo, Casboult, Garlett, McLean, Murphy.
Leading possession-getters – Carlton: Murphy 36, Carrazzo 27, McLean 27, Scotland 27, Curnow 25, Gibbs 20.
Round 1, 2012 at the MCG
Richmond 3.4 5.6 10.7 12.9 (81)
Carlton 3.2 8.7 11.13 18.17 (125)
Goals – Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Cotchin 2, Grigg 2, Martin 2, Nahas, Vickery.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Cotchin 27, Foley 25, Deledio 21, Rance 21, Grigg 20, Houli 20.
Goals – Carlton: Hampson 3, Armfield 2, Betts 2, Lucas 2, Yarran 2, Garlett, Kreuzer, Murphy, Robinson, Simpson, Thornton, Waite.
Leading possession-getters – Carlton: Murphy 32, Carrazzo 31, Judd 26, Simpson 25, Gibbs 22, Yarran 22.
Richmond v Carlton head-to-head
- Richmond has played Carlton 212 times for 85 wins, 125 losses and two draws.
- Richmond last defeated Carlton in Round 1 of the 2013 season – 14.22 (106) to 14.17 (101).
- Richmond has won just one its past 12 games against Carlton.
- Richmond and Carlton have met six times in Grand Finals, with the Tigers winning four – 1921, 1932, 1969, 1973, and the Blues winning two – 1972, 1982.
- Richmond and Carlton have met in 23 finals all-up, with the Tigers winning 16, losing six and drawing one.
- Richmond and Carlton have played two drawn games – Round 1, 1960 and the 1972 second semi-final.
- Richmond’s best winning sequence against Carlton is six, from 1965-68.
- Richmond’s longest losing sequence against Carlton is 24, from 1908-1918.
- Richmond’s highest score against Carlton is 25.24 (174), in Round 1, 1978 at the MCG.
- Richmond’s lowest score against Carlton is 2.9 (21), in Round 10, 1958 at Princes Park.
- Richmond’s greatest winning margin against Carlton is 85 points, in Round 7, 2005 at the MCG.
- Richmond’s greatest losing margin against Carlton is 115 points, in Round 14, 1984 at Princes Park.
- The most goals kicked in a match by a Richmond player against Carlton is 10 by Sel Murray, in Round 7, 1945.
- Richmond’s biggest-ever crowd was in the 1969 Grand Final against Carlton – 119,165.
- Some Blues-turned-Tigers: Ricky McLean, Graham Robertson, Dennis Collins, David Honybun, Peter Francis, Ian Herman, Ben Harrison, Chris Bond, Shaun Grigg, Shaun Hampson.
Fast fact: Richmond has kicked 14 goals in each of its past three games against Carlton.
