PREVIEW OF RICHMOND TIGERS V ADELAIDE CROWS
It’s another Grand Final rematch and, while not quite as highly anticipated as the last one, still a game with plenty on the line.
Richmond’s sitting a game clear on top of the ladder while Adelaide is 11th with a solitary win from its past five games, but that win came in spectacular fashion against West Coast on the weekend and could be just what the doctor ordered to get the Crows’ season back on track.
The Tigers won’t be taking the interstate visitors lightly though – back on the MCG and in front of their massive army of fans, the reigning premiers will be keen to make amends for dropping the points in round two.
Game on!
Daniel Rioli does things with a football better than I can do anything with anything #AFL #gotiges pic.twitter.com/AAWMvDFrZ2
— Ryan Buckland (@RyanBuckland7) June 29, 2018
HOW TO WATCH FRIDAY NIGHT AFL ACTION
Seven starts its coverage from 7.30pm AEST, while Fox Footy (channel 504) starts at 7.00 so they can fit in a meaningful discussion about the fact Adelaide’s given up on the ‘Power Rangers stance’.
CAN I WATCH IT OVERSEAS?
For those still in Russia because you actually thought Australia might make it through to the round of 16, there’s always options that are more attractive than fighting a Colombian for control of the hotel remote control. If you’re already paying for a Foxtel subscription that’s only being enjoyed by the house-sitter than download the Foxtel app and relax. Or there’s AFL Live Pass for Telstra customers or anyone prepared to pay.
AND THE RADIO?
Too easy! Most stations have their own app but just go straight to AFL Nation’s if you can’t decide who you like most. Alternatively iHeartRadio or Simple Radio give access to the full gamut.
And no, having access to a ‘gamut’ doesn’t mean you’re going to get attacked by a seabird.
Q1 | The Crows are the first ones to strike and the roar is huge!@rorysloane9 slots one through for @adelaide_fc.#AFLGF pic.twitter.com/pPik2r9aAQ
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 30, 2017
WHAT TIME IS THE GAME ON?
The ball is bounced at 7.50pm AEST.
RICHMOND TIGERS’ LIKELY LINEUP
B: D.Grimes 2, D.Astbury 12, N.Broad 35
HB: B.Ellis 5, A.Rance 18, J.Short 15
C: S.Grigg 6, T.Cotchin 9, D.Prestia 3
HF: D.Rioli 17, J.Caddy 22, J.Higgins 28
F: D.Butler 7, J.Riewoldt 8, J.Graham 34
R: T.Nankervis 25, D.Martin 4, K.Lambert 23
Int: S.Lloyd, S.Edwards 10, C.Ellis 32, J.Castagna 11
WHAT’S IN THIS GAME FOR THE TIGERS?
While Richmond grabbed a one-win break on the pack as others fell apart last week, they can just as easily be right back in the pack with a couple of losses. After Adelaide they face GWS in Sydney so things aren’t getting much easier and they can’t take anything for granted.
KEY RICHMOND PLAYERS
With Nick Vlastuin suspended the Tigers and Bachar Houli missing at least one more week the Tigers will be needing a lot from their smaller defenders Brandon Ellis, Jayden Short and Nathan Broad. Short has been Richmond's most-improved player this season. Alex Rance comes off a titanic struggle with Buddy Franklin and walks straight into a pumped-up Tex Walker, so life’s no easier for the superstar defender. And we’re still waiting for Dustin Martin to explode. Is this the game he’s been saving himself for?
Dustin Martin with the fend-off and the finish from 55!#AFLTigersSaints pic.twitter.com/URaIUiETf0
— AFL (@AFL) May 26, 2018
ADELAIDE CROWS’ LIKELY LINEUP
B: L.Brown 16, D.Talia 12, T.Doedee 39
HB: K.Cheney 25, K.Hartigan 15, R.Laird 29
C: R.Douglas 26, R.Sloane 9, P.Seedsman 11
HF: T.Lynch 17, D.Fogarty 32, C.Hampton 17
F: T.Walker 13, J.Jenkins 4, J.Gallucci 7
R: S.Jacobs 24, M.Crouch 5, B.Gibbs 6
Int: H.Greenwood 1, J.Kelly 8, M.Poholke 10, W.Milera 30
WHAT’S IN THIS GAME FOR THE CROWS?
We’ve got to the point of the season where every week seems like a must-win scenario for certain teams to stay in touch with the top eight. Adelaide isn’t quite at that point but they’re not far off it. A win here not only keeps their season very-much alive, but it also gives them the knowledge they can beat Richmond at the MCG - the hardest current task in football.
KEY ADELAIDE PLAYERS
Taylor Walker showed what can happen to his entire team when he turns on, which isn’t enough, but the skipper has come to the fore and needs to stay there if the rest are to follow. Swingman Tom Lynch was one of the few who could walk off the MCG with his head held high after last year’s Grand Final, and if he can come back in this week the Crows will be a much stronger outfit.
The 'accidental-back-of-the-head' assist from Darcy Fogarty brilliantly set up Taylor Walker's volley!#AFLCrowsEagles pic.twitter.com/uOHNYfTuH1
— AFL (@AFL) June 30, 2018
LAST FOUR MEETINGS
Rd2, 2018, Adelaide Crows 18.10 (118) d Richmond Tigers 12.10 (82) at Adelaide Oval
Grand Final 2017, Richmond Tigers 16.12 (108) d Adelaide Crows 8.12 (60) at the MCG
Rd6, 2017, Adelaide Crows 21.14 (140) d Richmond Tigers 10.4 (64) at Adelaide Oval
Rd3, 2016, Adelaide Crows 19.14 (128) d Richmond Tigers 13.14 (92) at Etihad Stadium
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
Richmond starts the week at $1.22 favourites, well ahead of Adelaide at $4.35, but the Crows got back Rorys Sloane and Laird last week and may get Lynch back now, which will put them near full strength, so they’re worth a covering bet.
The Tigers love nothing more than saving their best till the end, so the $1.33 for them to win the last quarter is money for jam.
WHO WILL WIN?
They’re not going to go unbeaten on the MCG forever, but Richmond’s dominance at the Home of Football will last one more week at least as the equal the all-time record of 17 held by Melbourne for the last 62 years.
Richmond by 27 points