Nullifying Carlton’s centre bounce strength, and rebounding defence, has been a key focus in Richmond’s planning for this Friday night’s clash at the MCG.
The Blues are one of the best stoppage and centre clearance teams in the competition, an area in which the Tigers were exposed when the two teams last met, in Round 1 earlier this season.
“They’re AFL (number) two for centre bounce, so it’s something we’re going to have to be on our game for this week,” Richmond assistant coach Brendon Lade told Matthew Richardson on the ‘Spotlight’ preview show.
“We’ve got a few plans in place to hopefully not allow that many goals.”
Watch: Damien Hardwick spoke to the media at the ME Centre on Thursday
Carlton has also launched many of its attacking moves, particularly in the last month, from its potent group of running half backs.
“They’ve got a good half-back line. The challenge for us will be to use the ball going forward, so they can’t rebound,” Lade said.
“They’re going to get the ball at times. It’s about putting pressure on them, and not letting them run through and have running shots at goal.”
Former Blue Shaun Hampson has been recalled to the Richmond team for his first game this season, replacing the suspended Ivan Maric.
“He’s really looking forward to it. He’s averaging over 50 hitouts in the VFL, so he is in good form,” Lade said.
Where: MCG
When: Friday, July 10, 2015, 7.50pm
TV coverage: Channel Seven (live from 7pm, Fox Footy (live from 7pm)
Radio coverage: 3AW, SEN, Triple M, ABC
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The Richmond team
B: Grimes, Batchelor, Rance
HB: Houli, Vlastuin, Chaplin
C: Ellis, Cotchin, McIntosh
HF: Martin, Edwards, Miles
F: Riewoldt, Deledio, Gordon
R: Hampson, Grigg, Hunt
IC: Vickery, Newman, Lambert, Morris
Em: Thomas, McBean, McDonough
In: Hampson, Morris
Out: Maric (suspended), Griffiths (inj – shoulder)
Find out how Carlton is lining up for Round 15 this weekend
Richmond v Carlton recent history
Round 1, 2015, MCG
Richmond 2.3 7.10 9.13 15.15 (105)
Carlton 4.7 6.9 6.12 11.12 (78)
Goals – Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Griffiths 3, Lloyd 3, Grigg 2, Gordon, Martin, McIntosh.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Hunt 27, B. Ellis 26, McIntosh 23, Miles 23, Edwards 21, Houli 21, Vlastuin 21.
Goals – Carlton: Jones 2, Menzel 2, Rowe 2, Bell, Gibbs, Jaksch, Simpson, Tuohy.
Leading possession-getters – Carlton: Gibbs 26, Bell 25, Docherty 23, Judd 21, Murphy 21, Simpson 21.
Round 2, 2014, MCG
Richmond 6.3 10.6 12.12 14.14 (98)
Carlton 2.4 5.5 9.7 12.14 (86)
Goals – Richmond: Vickery 4, Ellis 2, Martin 2, Cotchin, Deledio, S. Edwards, Griffiths, King, Riewoldt.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Cotchin 25, Petterd 24, Grigg 22, S. Edwards 21, Martin 21, Thomas 21, Deledio 20.
Goals – Carlton: Yarran 3, Everitt 2, Menzel 2, Bell, Garlett, Gibbs, Simpson, Waite.
Leading possession-getters – Carlton: Murphy 28, Curnow 25, Robinson 24, Simpson 23, Thomas 23, Bell 22, Yarran 21.
Elimination final, 2013, 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, 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, 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.
Richmond v Carlton head-to-head
- Richmond has played Carlton 214 times for 86 wins, 125 losses and two draws.
- Richmond last defeated Carlton in Round 1 of the 2015 season – 15.15 (105) to 11.12 (78).
- Richmond has won three and lost seven of its past 10 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.
