Tigers to give Carlton the blues.
Saturday, 14th June 2003, MCG.
Round 12, Richmond vs Carlton, home.
After beginning the season with much promise with six wins from our first eight matches, the Tigers find themselves back in the pack at 6-5 and for the first time since round 1 outside the eight after three straight losses. The last a costly one with All-Australian fullback Gas out for the rest of the season after his knee gave way. Which makes this clash against the old enemy Carlton vitally important for a number of reasons. A win would restore much needed confidence and would put us back into the eight leading into the mid-season break to set-up a push towards September with the welcome return of Cambo, Johnson, Holland and Blumfield straight after. Richmond have made at least three changes with Gas (knee), Johnson (calf), King and Hilton making way for the return (although he could be another late withdrawal) of one of the most courageous Tigers of them all in Duncan Kellaway for his first game of the year (and to the delight of rosy) along with Pettifer and Bidders. Kane Johnson is a late withdrawal so either King or Rory might get a reprieve or Vardy may be brought in instead.
Carlton's season is one of rebuilding after being found guilty last year of salary cap breaches and whacked by the AFL with a $1 million dollar fine and loss of number of present and future draft picks. The Blues have also loss there last three games, the last a second half fade out against Geelong. In for Carlton comes ex-Tiger Justin Murphy, Franchina and Allan. Out goes Wiggins, Hickmont and Sporn all injured.
An interesting sidenote is Carlton will go into the match with 9 190cm or taller players to only our 5. Given the weather will be rain, hail and god knows what, it'll be interesting to see which side has the advantage.
Head to head
Record overall: Rich 80, Carl 110, 2 draws (R1 1960, SF 1972)
At MCG: Rich 33, Carl 22
Last time: Round 14, 2002, MCG - Rich 12.13 (85) lt Carl 13.8 (86)
Last 5 meetings: Rich 2, Carl 3
Match-Ups
B: Newman Zantuck Biddiscombe
McCormick Fevola Waite
HB: Tivendale A.Kellaway Chaffey
Fisher McKernan R.Houlihan
C: Fiora Rodan Pettifer
Murphy Hulme Camporeale
HF: Cameron Richo Rogers
McKay Whitnall Lappin
F: A.Houlihan Ottens Krakouer
Beaumont Martyn Franchina
Fol: Stafford Coughlan Bowden
French Fletcher Koutoufides
IC: Rich: Hall, Fleming, D.Kellaway, Hilton/King/Vardy
Carl: Allan, Norman, Simpson, Thornton
Defence: Even
The loss of Gas is a huge blow cosidering how well our defence has performed this year and the fact that Dutchy won't be returning until after the break. This will force AK and Ty to take the two main key positions this week although the predicted weather should nullify any height disadvantage. Haven't seen much of Carlton this year so I can only go on what I've read and the few games I have seen. The usual suspects in Fevola, McKernan, Houlihan, Whitnall and Lappin look the most likely Carlton goal-scorers however Lappin and Whitnall have played quite alot in defence this year so we'll
have to wait and see whether Pagan throws them forward and Kouta back onto Richo. Fevola has been the most consistent Blues forward and it'll be important for our midfield to push back to block the space he needs to lead into. If we do that then we won't have too
many concerns in defence even without Gas.
Midfield: Even
Losing Johnson is another big loss especially with Cambo still absent and that will add extra pressure on the shoulders of Cogs which is why I've classed this as an even battle in the midfield even though the Carlton midfield is nothing to write home about with Ratten missing and Kouta likely to be required in defence if Micky Martyn predictably can't go with any of our talls up forward.
When it's wet weather footy as it'll be tomorrow it basically comes down to the side which is willing to work the hardest at winning the ball will win the game. Against Freo in similar conditions earlier in the year we were excellent at doing just that. These conditions with the ball spending most of time on the ground suit the likes of Cogs, Rodan, Krakouer, Fleming and Duncan if he plays. I would like to see Newman given a run on the ball. I reckon he would thrive as well as taking the weight and responsibility off Cogs and Bowden.
In the ruck contests we should have the advantage with Stafford, Ottens and Hall rotating. Carlton have brought in Matthew Allan to help out McKernan and French which is a strange inclusion given the
forecast and the fact Allan has really struggled at AFL level for a few years now.
Forwards: Strength
Since the loss of SOS and Manton no longer a regular in the side either due to form or injury, the Carlton defence has be found wanting relying on Martyn (too slow now as age and the modern game has caught
up), Beaumont (good player but not a KP) and younger and inexperienced players to fill key backline positions. The Blues have also been forced to play Whitnall and Lappin down in defence to fill the holes. One player we should play tight is McKay. Whoever matches up on him
must not allow him to run free off the half-back line and should try to drag him deep into defence to deny him and Carlton his run and rebound.
Overall, we should really stretch them up forward as Carlton don't have enough options to cover all of Richo, Otto/Stafford with either or both Krakouer and Rodan causing menace at ground level. If Richo can continue
to run his opponent ragged (Whitnall say in this match) then Kouta will be forced down back which plays into our hands also.
Summary:
If ever the K.I.S.S. principle applies, it is in wet weather footy games. Anything fancy or cute or low percentage is just plain stupid. What we need on Saturday is 22 contributors working their backsides off to pressure their opponents both individually and as a team, be first to the ball and contest and win the hard ball and get
the ball moving forward as quickly and directly as possible. If we do this then we will be far too strong for Carlton and we will win quite comfortably in the end.
Richmond by 34 pts.
Saturday, 14th June 2003, MCG.
Round 12, Richmond vs Carlton, home.
After beginning the season with much promise with six wins from our first eight matches, the Tigers find themselves back in the pack at 6-5 and for the first time since round 1 outside the eight after three straight losses. The last a costly one with All-Australian fullback Gas out for the rest of the season after his knee gave way. Which makes this clash against the old enemy Carlton vitally important for a number of reasons. A win would restore much needed confidence and would put us back into the eight leading into the mid-season break to set-up a push towards September with the welcome return of Cambo, Johnson, Holland and Blumfield straight after. Richmond have made at least three changes with Gas (knee), Johnson (calf), King and Hilton making way for the return (although he could be another late withdrawal) of one of the most courageous Tigers of them all in Duncan Kellaway for his first game of the year (and to the delight of rosy) along with Pettifer and Bidders. Kane Johnson is a late withdrawal so either King or Rory might get a reprieve or Vardy may be brought in instead.
Carlton's season is one of rebuilding after being found guilty last year of salary cap breaches and whacked by the AFL with a $1 million dollar fine and loss of number of present and future draft picks. The Blues have also loss there last three games, the last a second half fade out against Geelong. In for Carlton comes ex-Tiger Justin Murphy, Franchina and Allan. Out goes Wiggins, Hickmont and Sporn all injured.
An interesting sidenote is Carlton will go into the match with 9 190cm or taller players to only our 5. Given the weather will be rain, hail and god knows what, it'll be interesting to see which side has the advantage.
Head to head
Record overall: Rich 80, Carl 110, 2 draws (R1 1960, SF 1972)
At MCG: Rich 33, Carl 22
Last time: Round 14, 2002, MCG - Rich 12.13 (85) lt Carl 13.8 (86)
Last 5 meetings: Rich 2, Carl 3
Match-Ups
B: Newman Zantuck Biddiscombe
McCormick Fevola Waite
HB: Tivendale A.Kellaway Chaffey
Fisher McKernan R.Houlihan
C: Fiora Rodan Pettifer
Murphy Hulme Camporeale
HF: Cameron Richo Rogers
McKay Whitnall Lappin
F: A.Houlihan Ottens Krakouer
Beaumont Martyn Franchina
Fol: Stafford Coughlan Bowden
French Fletcher Koutoufides
IC: Rich: Hall, Fleming, D.Kellaway, Hilton/King/Vardy
Carl: Allan, Norman, Simpson, Thornton
Defence: Even
The loss of Gas is a huge blow cosidering how well our defence has performed this year and the fact that Dutchy won't be returning until after the break. This will force AK and Ty to take the two main key positions this week although the predicted weather should nullify any height disadvantage. Haven't seen much of Carlton this year so I can only go on what I've read and the few games I have seen. The usual suspects in Fevola, McKernan, Houlihan, Whitnall and Lappin look the most likely Carlton goal-scorers however Lappin and Whitnall have played quite alot in defence this year so we'll
have to wait and see whether Pagan throws them forward and Kouta back onto Richo. Fevola has been the most consistent Blues forward and it'll be important for our midfield to push back to block the space he needs to lead into. If we do that then we won't have too
many concerns in defence even without Gas.
Midfield: Even
Losing Johnson is another big loss especially with Cambo still absent and that will add extra pressure on the shoulders of Cogs which is why I've classed this as an even battle in the midfield even though the Carlton midfield is nothing to write home about with Ratten missing and Kouta likely to be required in defence if Micky Martyn predictably can't go with any of our talls up forward.
When it's wet weather footy as it'll be tomorrow it basically comes down to the side which is willing to work the hardest at winning the ball will win the game. Against Freo in similar conditions earlier in the year we were excellent at doing just that. These conditions with the ball spending most of time on the ground suit the likes of Cogs, Rodan, Krakouer, Fleming and Duncan if he plays. I would like to see Newman given a run on the ball. I reckon he would thrive as well as taking the weight and responsibility off Cogs and Bowden.
In the ruck contests we should have the advantage with Stafford, Ottens and Hall rotating. Carlton have brought in Matthew Allan to help out McKernan and French which is a strange inclusion given the
forecast and the fact Allan has really struggled at AFL level for a few years now.
Forwards: Strength
Since the loss of SOS and Manton no longer a regular in the side either due to form or injury, the Carlton defence has be found wanting relying on Martyn (too slow now as age and the modern game has caught
up), Beaumont (good player but not a KP) and younger and inexperienced players to fill key backline positions. The Blues have also been forced to play Whitnall and Lappin down in defence to fill the holes. One player we should play tight is McKay. Whoever matches up on him
must not allow him to run free off the half-back line and should try to drag him deep into defence to deny him and Carlton his run and rebound.
Overall, we should really stretch them up forward as Carlton don't have enough options to cover all of Richo, Otto/Stafford with either or both Krakouer and Rodan causing menace at ground level. If Richo can continue
to run his opponent ragged (Whitnall say in this match) then Kouta will be forced down back which plays into our hands also.
Summary:
If ever the K.I.S.S. principle applies, it is in wet weather footy games. Anything fancy or cute or low percentage is just plain stupid. What we need on Saturday is 22 contributors working their backsides off to pressure their opponents both individually and as a team, be first to the ball and contest and win the hard ball and get
the ball moving forward as quickly and directly as possible. If we do this then we will be far too strong for Carlton and we will win quite comfortably in the end.
Richmond by 34 pts.
