Richmond Tigers v Hawthorn Hawks: Preview, teams, history and odds of Thursday's AFL Qualifying Final

Mick Stirling

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Richmond Tigers v Hawthorn Hawks: Preview, teams, history and odds of Thursday's AFL Qualifying Final image

PREVIEW OF RICHMOND TIGERS V HAWTHORN HAWKS

The Tigers are going for back-to-back AFL flags that not many thought they were capable of, the Hawks are back at the pointy end after a painfully long one-year finals drought.

What a way to start the 2018 AFL Finals Series.

In case you haven’t heard, Thursday’s qualifying final will be the first time these two teams have met in an VFL/AFL final in their illustrious histories.

Which doesn’t really mean anything.

What does matter is that the clubs with the two highest memberships in the league are going head-to-head on a Thursday night with a ticket straight through to the preliminary final on the line.

Let’s get ready to rummmmmbbblllllle!!!!


 

WHAT TIME IS THE GAME ON?

The ball is hitting the MCG turf at 7.20pm AEST this Thursday, September 6th.

HOW TO WATCH THURSDAY NIGHT’S AFL FIRST QUALIFYING FINAL

Channel Seven starts its coverage from 7pm with lots of slow-motion footage from recent Grand Finals over a swelling music score and narrated by that guy who could put a lump in your throat reading his grocery list. Fox Footy (channel 504) will be doing much the same, but the soundtrack will be a little more ‘indie rock’ and the voice a little more ‘Vince McMahon’.

CAN I WATCH IT OVERSEAS?

Hawthorn fans don’t change flights for anything less than a Grand Final these days, so if you’re dipping your feet in the Trevi Fountain at the first bounce you can still watch the game live through either AFL Live Pass or the Foxtel app.

AND THE RADIO?

Yep, even the radio has apps. If you haven’t got one of the many available, such as SimpleRadio, then download it now.

RICHMOND TIGERS’ LIKELY LINEUP

B: 2 Dylan Grimes, 18 Alex Rance, 15 Jayden Short
HB: 1 Nick Vlastuin, 12 David Astbury, 14 Bachar Houli
C: 3 Dion Prestia, 9 Trent Cotchin, 6 Shaun Grigg
HF: 11 Jason Castagna, 10 Shane Edwards, 17 Daniel Rioli
F: 22 Josh Caddy, 8 Jack Riewoldt, 28 Jack Higgins
R: 25 Toby Nankervis, 4 Dustin Martin, 34 Jack Graham
Int: 5 Brandon Ellis, 33 Kamdyn McIntosh, 35 Nathan Broad, 23 Kane Lambert

WHAT’S IN THIS GAME FOR THE TIGERS?

Richmond is still red-hot favourite for the flag but things have been faltering a little in the past few weeks. If they win this one the Tigers’ confidence will be back on a high along with everyone else’s fear of facing them.

But drop it and the self-doubt will run out of control.

KEY RICHMOND PLAYERS

The Tigers’ big four are always crucial, but it’s finals so now the weight falls on everyone else. The second-tier of Shane Edwards, Dion Prestia and Kane Lambert will decide how the qualifying final plays out.

Nick Vlastuin, Jayden Short and Bachar Houli will have their work cut out against Luke Breust and Jack Gunston, while Dan Rioli will need to lead Richmond’s own small forward brigade to a pressure-filled highlights package.

HAWTHORN HAWKS’ LIKELY LINEUP

B: 15 Blake Hardwick, 12 James Frawley, 24 Ben Stratton
HB: 4 Jarman Impey, 6 James Sicily, 42 Teia Miles
C: 35 Harry Morrison, 3 Tom Mitchell, 26 Liam Shiels
HF: 5 Ryan Burton, 2 Jarryd Roughead, 16 Isaac Smith
F: 22 Luke Breust, 19 Jack Gunston, 28 Paul Puopolo
R: 7 Ben McEvoy, 10 Jaeger O'Meara, 38 James Worpel
Int: 9 Shaun Burgoyne, 30 Kaiden Brand, 44 Conor Glass, 45 Conor Nash

WHAT’S IN THIS GAME FOR THE HAWKS?

Hawthorn was supposed to be done and dusted in August 2018, but not only are they still in it, they’ve got a double chance and a bucket load of experience in how to use it.

The lack of expectation takes a lot of pressure off the Hawks who, the last time they hit September, were carrying the ridiculous possibility of going four-peat. This year it’s almost a free-hit, but if they win on Thursday – boy oh boy wowee, won’t the rest of the finallists be shaking in their boots.

KEY HAWTHORN PLAYERS

Getting James Sicily back will be paramount to the Hawks’ hopes. Without him the backline just doesn’t look up giving Richmond’s small forwards something to think about beyond cranking up the pressure.

AFLPA MVP Tom Mitchell, veteran Shaun Burgoyne and finals-debutant Jaeger O’Meara will need to provide a lot of quality ball into the forward line. All Australians Gunston and Breust can do a lot of damage before you know it, but the Tigers’ defence is as well-drilled as any and won’t make scoring easy if delivery is anything less than top shelf.

LAST FOUR MEETINGS

Rd 3, 2018, Richmond Tigers 15.12 (102) d Hawthorn Hawks 13.11 (89) at the MCG
Rd 20, 2017, Richmond Tigers 13.15 (93) d Hawthorn Hawks 9.10 (64) at the MCG
Rd 18, 2016, Hawthorn Hawks 16.18 (114) d Richmond Tigers 5.14 (44) at the MCG
Rd 7, 2016, Hawthorn Hawks 21.10 (136) d Richmond Tigers 13.12 (90) at the MCG

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

Considering they’re going for consecutive win number 22 at the MCG, are reigning premiers and finished the home and away season two games clear of second, it’s no surprise Richmond is starting $1.37 favourites.

But there’s a lot of finals experience in brown and gold and a handy little tactician in the coaches’ box, so the bookies have got Hawthorn at a not-too-distant $3.09.

WHO WILL WIN?

Anything can happen, and while last September showed us a team that knows how to play on the big stage, they’re up against the Hawks – an outfit that have proven their credentials more than often enough in recent times.

But considering they’re going for consecutive win number 22 at the MCG, are reigning premiers and finished the home and away season two games clear of second, it’s hard to go past the Tigers.

Richmond by 37 points.

Mick Stirling