Match Preview: Richmond v Melbourne
Monday 12 May 2003
Samantha Lane
afl.com.au
MATCH: Richmond v Melbourne
WHEN & WHERE: Saturday 17th May, MCG, 7:10pm (AEST)
COVERAGE: Channel 10 - Melbourne (7.30pm), Perth (5.30pm), Sydney (10.30pm). Fox Footy Channel - Adelaide (6.30pm), Brisbane (7pm).
HEAD TO HEAD: Richmond: 94, Melbourne: 71, draws: 2.
LAST TIME: Richmond 14.15 (99) d Melbourne 14.10 (94), round 18, 2002 at the MCG. Melbourne was five goals down at the last change, and though the Dees mounted something of a challenge it was too little too late. Matthew Richardson kicked five for the Tigers and was best on ground. Russell Robertson also kicked a bag of five for the Dees.
THE MEDICAL ROOM: Wayne Campbell (calf), Matthew Richardson (hamstring), Ray Hall (groin) and Adam Houlihan (hamstring) will all be tested. Ben Holland (thigh), Billy Nicholls and Andrew Mills (hamstring) are about a fortnight away. Justin Blumfield (thigh) and Brad Ottens will be sidelined for up to six more weeks.
For Melbourne, Nathan Brown (hamstring) and Travis Johnstone (hamstring) will be out for at least two weeks. Jeff White (knee) is up to five weeks away, and Craig Ellis (knee) should be available by mid-season. Alistair Nicholson (knee) will be tested. Troy Broadbridge may be sidelined for the season after doing his shoulder playing for Sandringham.
THE FORM: Richmond enjoyed a brilliant 42–point win over a dreadful Essendon at the MCG in round seven, and has now won five matches from seven this season. Melbourne turned the tide after suffering three straight losses, and posted a much-needed win over Port Adelaide at the MCG.
WHO’S HOT: Andrew Leoncelli played his best game in years at the weekend, relishing the chance to spend most of the day on the ground rather than rotating off the bench. Young Tiger Andy Krakouer played his best match for Richmond on Saturday, kicking five goals and providing wonderful spark on his side’s forward line.
WHO’S NOT: Nathan Brown was playing well in the first quarter last week when he received an uncompromising hip and shoulder from Byron Pickett that sent him to the bench. Brown returned bravely in the second quarter only to injure his hamstring after a late Pickett tackle. Richmond’s Clinton King hasn’t played since round three and will battle to get his position back in the firing Tigers’ midfield.
KEY MATCH-UPS: The in-form Greg Stafford will push back-up Melbourne ruckmen Darren Jolly and Mark Jamar. Richmond small forwards Krakouer and David Rodan are so unpredictable they can cut up any lazy defence in a quick burst. Luke Williams is likely to get Krakouer, and Daniel Ward should take Rodan. After holding Matthew Lloyd to one goal, Darren Gaspar will be primed to pick up Melbourne spearhead David Neitz.
ALL-TIME CLASSIC: Round 10, 1997. Melbourne coach Neil Balme was sacked during the week, and the Dees - sitting on the bottom of the ladder - were given almost no chance against Richmond. But with Greg Hutchison (now Richmond’s football manager) in the coach’s box, the Dees scored a win against all odds. The hobbled Garry Lyon returned to help his side win 14.8 (92) to 9.13 (67) at the MCG.
WE THINK: The Tigers toughness in the scrimmages was one of the defining factors in their game against Essendon. Their defence was stingy, and their forwards accurate. The Demons amassed a season high 327 disposals against Port, but if Richmond makes them as hard-earned as they did for the Bombers, Melbourne will battle to be effective. Should Richardson and Hall return, the Tigers could load up their forward line with talls, which the undermanned Demon defence would struggle to cover. Overall the Tiges have more key position players on hand. Richmond, 28 points.
Monday 12 May 2003
Samantha Lane
afl.com.au
MATCH: Richmond v Melbourne
WHEN & WHERE: Saturday 17th May, MCG, 7:10pm (AEST)
COVERAGE: Channel 10 - Melbourne (7.30pm), Perth (5.30pm), Sydney (10.30pm). Fox Footy Channel - Adelaide (6.30pm), Brisbane (7pm).
HEAD TO HEAD: Richmond: 94, Melbourne: 71, draws: 2.
LAST TIME: Richmond 14.15 (99) d Melbourne 14.10 (94), round 18, 2002 at the MCG. Melbourne was five goals down at the last change, and though the Dees mounted something of a challenge it was too little too late. Matthew Richardson kicked five for the Tigers and was best on ground. Russell Robertson also kicked a bag of five for the Dees.
THE MEDICAL ROOM: Wayne Campbell (calf), Matthew Richardson (hamstring), Ray Hall (groin) and Adam Houlihan (hamstring) will all be tested. Ben Holland (thigh), Billy Nicholls and Andrew Mills (hamstring) are about a fortnight away. Justin Blumfield (thigh) and Brad Ottens will be sidelined for up to six more weeks.
For Melbourne, Nathan Brown (hamstring) and Travis Johnstone (hamstring) will be out for at least two weeks. Jeff White (knee) is up to five weeks away, and Craig Ellis (knee) should be available by mid-season. Alistair Nicholson (knee) will be tested. Troy Broadbridge may be sidelined for the season after doing his shoulder playing for Sandringham.
THE FORM: Richmond enjoyed a brilliant 42–point win over a dreadful Essendon at the MCG in round seven, and has now won five matches from seven this season. Melbourne turned the tide after suffering three straight losses, and posted a much-needed win over Port Adelaide at the MCG.
WHO’S HOT: Andrew Leoncelli played his best game in years at the weekend, relishing the chance to spend most of the day on the ground rather than rotating off the bench. Young Tiger Andy Krakouer played his best match for Richmond on Saturday, kicking five goals and providing wonderful spark on his side’s forward line.
WHO’S NOT: Nathan Brown was playing well in the first quarter last week when he received an uncompromising hip and shoulder from Byron Pickett that sent him to the bench. Brown returned bravely in the second quarter only to injure his hamstring after a late Pickett tackle. Richmond’s Clinton King hasn’t played since round three and will battle to get his position back in the firing Tigers’ midfield.
KEY MATCH-UPS: The in-form Greg Stafford will push back-up Melbourne ruckmen Darren Jolly and Mark Jamar. Richmond small forwards Krakouer and David Rodan are so unpredictable they can cut up any lazy defence in a quick burst. Luke Williams is likely to get Krakouer, and Daniel Ward should take Rodan. After holding Matthew Lloyd to one goal, Darren Gaspar will be primed to pick up Melbourne spearhead David Neitz.
ALL-TIME CLASSIC: Round 10, 1997. Melbourne coach Neil Balme was sacked during the week, and the Dees - sitting on the bottom of the ladder - were given almost no chance against Richmond. But with Greg Hutchison (now Richmond’s football manager) in the coach’s box, the Dees scored a win against all odds. The hobbled Garry Lyon returned to help his side win 14.8 (92) to 9.13 (67) at the MCG.
WE THINK: The Tigers toughness in the scrimmages was one of the defining factors in their game against Essendon. Their defence was stingy, and their forwards accurate. The Demons amassed a season high 327 disposals against Port, but if Richmond makes them as hard-earned as they did for the Bombers, Melbourne will battle to be effective. Should Richardson and Hall return, the Tigers could load up their forward line with talls, which the undermanned Demon defence would struggle to cover. Overall the Tiges have more key position players on hand. Richmond, 28 points.
