Fan bloggers from around the country blog for us on richmondfc.com.au in our 'Yellow and Blog' section. This article is from Kristian.
Hey guys! We’re back for another blog and from now on I’ll be providing a weekly preview for the Tigers upcoming games.
First of all I’d just like to say congratulations and a big well done to the Richmond Football Club on behalf of the fan base for the massive re-signings of Damien Hardwick, Tyrone Vickery and Brett Deledio over the past couple of weeks.
It just goes to show everyone at the club is on the same page and there’s a certain vibe around the place at the moment.
Round one is finally on the doorstep and wouldn’t it be brilliant to knock off the Blues after what has seemed to be a flawless summer at Punt Road?
I think tomorrow night is our best chance in our last seven encounters against the Blues, and that seems to be the popular opinion among the media and neutral punters.
I don’t buy into the fact that it is necessarily a ‘must win’ game or ‘all hell will break loose’ if we lose though.
After all it is one game in a 22 round season, and as long as the boys go out there and give an excellent account of themselves, then I’ll be satisfied supporter.
This isn’t an ‘easily pleased’ approach at all.
Let’s not forget the Blues were one kick away from a preliminary final without Matthew Kreuzer and Bryce Gibbs in that side.
They are a very strong team and as much as it’s been well publicised about their ‘outs’, namely Andrew Walker, Michael Jamison, Jeremy Laidler, Nick Duigan and Robbie Warnock, they couldn’t have gotten as far as they did last season without a distinct amount of depth.
I’ll split my analysis into three parts, and I’ll also have a stab at each team’s 22 to base it on.
RICHMOND
FB: Steve Morris, Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes
HB: Chris Newman, Jayden Post, Bachar Houli
C: Brett Deledio, Trent Cotchin, Shaun Grigg
HF: Robin Nahas, Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards
FF: Addam Maric, Tyrone Vickery, Brad Miller
R: Ivan Maric, Dustin Martin, Nathan Foley
INT: Brandon Ellis, Daniel Jackson, Reece Conca, Shane Tuck (sub)
CARLTON
FB: Zach Tuohy, Lachie Henderson, Bret Thornton
HB: Chris Yarran, Paul Bower, Jordan Russell
C: Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy, Heath Scotland
HF: Andrew Collins, Jarrad Waite, Kade Simpson
FF: Jeff Garlett, Shaun Hampson, Eddie Betts
R: Matthew Kreuzer, Chris Judd, Mitch Robinson
INT: Kane Lucas, Andrew Carrazzo, Ed Curnow, Dennis Armfield (sub)
DEFENCE
Defence is very much a team effort these days and is directly linked with clearances and quick entries.
Jarrad Waite, Eddie Betts and Jeff Garlett worry me on this line the most. They’re three very good players, and if they get lots of chances one on one, we’ll find if tough, as they are quick.
Without Andrew Walker, this gives one of our taller backs a chance to play small and let Chris Newman and Bachar Houli zone off and provide a chop out.
I’d put Dylan Grimes on one of Garlett or Betts. He has the pace to do this. I’d give Steve Morris the job on the other one. With these match ups, Newman and Houli are released.
I’d expect Post to play on Waite and try and keep him up the ground as much as possible.
Rance on Hampson would be a good match up for us, and I’d encourage Alex to run off Hampson as much as possible.
It’s imperative the Blues don’t get quick entries. If they don’t, our defence should be fine.
MIDFIELD
This will be the most critical contest of the game.
If we can break even here or win the clearances and contested possessions, we’re three quarters of a way to a round one victory.
Do we go defensive or do we go head to head? It’s a tough decision.
The Blues’ midfield is one area where they’re full strength.
Deledio’s effort on Brendon Goddard in round two last year is still installed in my memory, and I think he should go head to head with Chris Judd.
Judd isn’t the best defensively. Brett is one player who can hurt him going the other way.
The one player I would put a hard tag on is Marc Murphy. He is just as crucial to the Blues set up, if not more now, than Judd.
We simply cannot ignore Bryce Gibbs, Heath Scotland, Mitch Robinson and Kade Simpson. They will cut you up all day long if left alone and they are very dangerous running forward and delivering into the forward 50. I wouldn’t necessarily be ‘ultra’ defensive on them, as we have dangerous midfielders too, but they must be thought of and have some time put into.
I think so far, what we’ve come to expect from Ivan Maric is that he’ll go in hard and provide a contest. A 50/50 split here is what we need. We can’t let the Blues get first hands on the ball off Kreuzer’s tap work.
FORWARDS
This is where we have to make the Blues pay.
No matter which way you look at it, Richmond win the match ups here, on paper must I stress.
The Blues defenders that are playing tomorrow night really struggle to go one on one and like to zone off their man.
Long, quick ball movement will catch them out, and we must convert our opportunities when they present.
Whichever one of our tall forwards gets Paul Bower, I’d encourage them to play deep. He’s under sized, and would much rather be a bit further out from his own goal.
Forward pressure especially will be critical. Addam Maric and Robin Nahas must be hungry.
KEY POINTS
- Win contested possessions and clearances.
- No easy inside 50 entries for the Blues.
- Kick long to one on one targets in our forward line.
- Make sure you’re at the MCG to bring the boys home.
Go Tiges!
You can also follow me on Twitter @KristianPisano