EasternWest
30-03-2010, 11:23 PM
****Tipping my hat to Comrade, whose preview was far superior to mine. I have shamelessly plagiarised his format****
2010 Afl Season
Round 2 – Match Preview
Western Bulldogs vs Richmond Tigers
MCG, Sunday 4 April, 4.40pm – Richmond Home Game
When Last They Met
Round 11, 2009 Home and Away season.
Docklands, Friday June 5
Western Bulldogs (157) defeated Richmond (89)
If fairytales existed in the AFL, then Terry Wallace would have been hoping for one after his “resignation” as Richmond coach. Who better to overcome in his last outing than the club he so controversially rejected, and in turn was rejected by, the Western Bulldogs?
The Dogs held all the aces early in the night before a flurry of late goals in the second term saw the Tigers leading by two points going into the main break. Sparked after halftime by Ryan Griffen, who needed to lift after his quiet first half, the Dogs effectively shut the door on the Tigers in the third before running away easy winners by 68 points.
The Dogs were led by Boyd and Cooney, with Harbrow displaying his audacious dash from the backline and Picken once again driving Tigers star midfielder Brett Deledio to distraction.
Pre-amble
The Dogs were served a reality check by the hungry Magpies and will be looking to atone against the Tigers, who were once again hapless in Round 1 versus the Blues. Contrasting preseason campaigns for the two teams saw the Dogs firing on all cylinders while the Tigers faithful dared to dream yet again of a revival. Time will tell if the Dogs engine can regain its confident rumble or if the Tigers new dawn will be revealed as false yet again.
Selection Table – Bulldogs
The late withdrawal of Morris with the flu threw a spanner into the works for the Dogs selection committee that resulted in the unexpected selection of Dylan Addison. Many were touting mature age rookie Brodie Moles to make the cut, given his impressive pre-season campaign, but the coaches went with a more defensively minded approach that appeared to backfire.
Assuming Morris makes a full recovery, Addison is sure to surrender his position to the Dogs premier go-to-stopper.
A number of Bulldogs players were down on form in round one, and will come under the scrutiny of the selection committee. Tom Williams, who couldn’t manage to put a foot right against the Pies, will surely retain his spot. The Dogs dearly hope Williams can develop into a long term centre half back option and will persist with him in the hope that greater exposure will lead to greater composure.
The Dogs may look to blood Roughead against the Tigers at the expense of Minson, who did little on the weekend to refute the “dumbest smart guy” moniker given him by his coach. This is unlikely, but a possibility.
It’s certain that if Nathan Eagleton or Callan Ward are passed fit at least one will slot into the side. The question is at the expense of whom? Youngster Andrejs Everitt showed enough against the Pies to retain his place, while Josh Hill will want to close the gap between his best and worst if he hopes to play round 3 against the Hawks.
Lindsay Gilbee appears down on confidence and form, and it’s worrying that his once deadly kicking has been wonky for some time. After a tumultuous year last year, it would seem that he remains affected by the passing of his father and mate, Laurie.
Similarly, Jarrod Harbrow started the season proper in less than ideal fashion. After a breakout year in 2009, he is sure to come under higher scrutiny from opposition teams who will look to limit his dash out of the backline.
Will either of these players miss? Doubtful, but they will want to find some form soon.
Another contentious issue to consider is the selection of Johnson. His deer in the headlights act when play on was called smacked of a player out of game shape. With match fitness down, do the Dogs omit their skipper or give him the chance to build his base against a “weaker” opposition?
In summary, the Match Committee will look closely at those that underperformed, but wholesale changes are unlikely. Addison will go out, replaced by Morris. One of Ward or Eagleton to possibly replace Hill.
Moles unlucky, again.
Selection Table – Tigers
Will new coach Hardwick look to throw it all in the bin and start again after the disheartening loss to the Blues?
Richmond were well served by their three debutants in round one and it’s likely they will retain their positions. They would dearly love to have Nathan Foley available for some engine room class but he looks to be sidelined for a few more weeks yet. Similarly, they will be hoping that experienced tagger Daniel Jackson will recover sufficiently from the concussion he received.
Tigers fans must have known that after the clean-out by the new coach there would be more pain in the near future to come, hopefully with the benefit of long term gain. In fairness, their endeavour against the Blues was ok, and their performance was not as lamentable as others in the past. But they’re a young side, and the coach is walking the fine line between giving the youngsters experience and making them mentally fragile.
Unlikely to see wholesale changes, but perhaps an appearance by Cinderella Man, Graham Polak.
Key Match Ups
Picken vs Deledio
At times Deledio has been unfairly maligned by AFL fans at large and more so by the notoriously fickle Tigers fans. The label of number 1 draft selection remains with a player for their entire career, and is sometimes portentous, and sometimes a millstone. There is no denying Deledio’s class, but he has a tendency to go missing.
The unheralded rookie elevation Picken has had the Richmond champ’s measure in the past, wearing him like a glove and ensuring that Deledio garners few cheap touches.
Hudson vs Simmons/Vickery
The bearded beast will be matched for size and strength by Simmons, but will look to maul the inexperienced Vickery. Hudson’s value lies more in his grunt work than his tap work, and with the Richmond ruckmen preferring to do their work in the air, look for Ben to have a big influence around the ground.
The Other Riewoldt vs Lake
Not really a big forward option, Nick’s cousin is still a good size and has a decent pair of hands. Lake will look to drift off and help out as much as possible, but he needs to be mindful of Jack as he can be slippery.
Hall vs Moore
This is a match up more to the Dogs liking than the previous week. Prestigiacomo is to full backs what Hall is to full forwards. Big, strong and dour, he was always going to be a tough match up for Hall.
Moore is an honest footballer who tries hard, but it’s hard to see him competing with Hall in the strength stakes. The Dogs should play Hall deep in the goal square and allow him room to move. All in all, this looms as a tough day for Kel Moore.
The X-Factor
Recovery. Each side in their own way suffered demoralising losses in round 1. The Dogs, riding on a wave of public acclaim after a strong preseason were relentlessly hunted and outrun by a ready and waiting Magpies. Likewise, the optimism of a new coach heralding a new era at Richmond was deflated as they ran face first into a great Blue wall. The ability of both teams to assess, amend and learn from their round 1 experience will go a long way to determining the outcome of this match.
The Verdict
Hard to go past the Dogs. Last weeks loss should serve as a wake up call that they can’t assume they will win because their preseason form has been good. Should be nearing the balance point between youth, age and experience that all teams with serious aspirations must. If all plays out as it should, the Bulldogs will have too much class, strength and desire for a fairly young Richmond side.
Bulldogs faithful should be dissatisfied with anything less than a ten goal margin. Hall to kick six.
2010 Afl Season
Round 2 – Match Preview
Western Bulldogs vs Richmond Tigers
MCG, Sunday 4 April, 4.40pm – Richmond Home Game
When Last They Met
Round 11, 2009 Home and Away season.
Docklands, Friday June 5
Western Bulldogs (157) defeated Richmond (89)
If fairytales existed in the AFL, then Terry Wallace would have been hoping for one after his “resignation” as Richmond coach. Who better to overcome in his last outing than the club he so controversially rejected, and in turn was rejected by, the Western Bulldogs?
The Dogs held all the aces early in the night before a flurry of late goals in the second term saw the Tigers leading by two points going into the main break. Sparked after halftime by Ryan Griffen, who needed to lift after his quiet first half, the Dogs effectively shut the door on the Tigers in the third before running away easy winners by 68 points.
The Dogs were led by Boyd and Cooney, with Harbrow displaying his audacious dash from the backline and Picken once again driving Tigers star midfielder Brett Deledio to distraction.
Pre-amble
The Dogs were served a reality check by the hungry Magpies and will be looking to atone against the Tigers, who were once again hapless in Round 1 versus the Blues. Contrasting preseason campaigns for the two teams saw the Dogs firing on all cylinders while the Tigers faithful dared to dream yet again of a revival. Time will tell if the Dogs engine can regain its confident rumble or if the Tigers new dawn will be revealed as false yet again.
Selection Table – Bulldogs
The late withdrawal of Morris with the flu threw a spanner into the works for the Dogs selection committee that resulted in the unexpected selection of Dylan Addison. Many were touting mature age rookie Brodie Moles to make the cut, given his impressive pre-season campaign, but the coaches went with a more defensively minded approach that appeared to backfire.
Assuming Morris makes a full recovery, Addison is sure to surrender his position to the Dogs premier go-to-stopper.
A number of Bulldogs players were down on form in round one, and will come under the scrutiny of the selection committee. Tom Williams, who couldn’t manage to put a foot right against the Pies, will surely retain his spot. The Dogs dearly hope Williams can develop into a long term centre half back option and will persist with him in the hope that greater exposure will lead to greater composure.
The Dogs may look to blood Roughead against the Tigers at the expense of Minson, who did little on the weekend to refute the “dumbest smart guy” moniker given him by his coach. This is unlikely, but a possibility.
It’s certain that if Nathan Eagleton or Callan Ward are passed fit at least one will slot into the side. The question is at the expense of whom? Youngster Andrejs Everitt showed enough against the Pies to retain his place, while Josh Hill will want to close the gap between his best and worst if he hopes to play round 3 against the Hawks.
Lindsay Gilbee appears down on confidence and form, and it’s worrying that his once deadly kicking has been wonky for some time. After a tumultuous year last year, it would seem that he remains affected by the passing of his father and mate, Laurie.
Similarly, Jarrod Harbrow started the season proper in less than ideal fashion. After a breakout year in 2009, he is sure to come under higher scrutiny from opposition teams who will look to limit his dash out of the backline.
Will either of these players miss? Doubtful, but they will want to find some form soon.
Another contentious issue to consider is the selection of Johnson. His deer in the headlights act when play on was called smacked of a player out of game shape. With match fitness down, do the Dogs omit their skipper or give him the chance to build his base against a “weaker” opposition?
In summary, the Match Committee will look closely at those that underperformed, but wholesale changes are unlikely. Addison will go out, replaced by Morris. One of Ward or Eagleton to possibly replace Hill.
Moles unlucky, again.
Selection Table – Tigers
Will new coach Hardwick look to throw it all in the bin and start again after the disheartening loss to the Blues?
Richmond were well served by their three debutants in round one and it’s likely they will retain their positions. They would dearly love to have Nathan Foley available for some engine room class but he looks to be sidelined for a few more weeks yet. Similarly, they will be hoping that experienced tagger Daniel Jackson will recover sufficiently from the concussion he received.
Tigers fans must have known that after the clean-out by the new coach there would be more pain in the near future to come, hopefully with the benefit of long term gain. In fairness, their endeavour against the Blues was ok, and their performance was not as lamentable as others in the past. But they’re a young side, and the coach is walking the fine line between giving the youngsters experience and making them mentally fragile.
Unlikely to see wholesale changes, but perhaps an appearance by Cinderella Man, Graham Polak.
Key Match Ups
Picken vs Deledio
At times Deledio has been unfairly maligned by AFL fans at large and more so by the notoriously fickle Tigers fans. The label of number 1 draft selection remains with a player for their entire career, and is sometimes portentous, and sometimes a millstone. There is no denying Deledio’s class, but he has a tendency to go missing.
The unheralded rookie elevation Picken has had the Richmond champ’s measure in the past, wearing him like a glove and ensuring that Deledio garners few cheap touches.
Hudson vs Simmons/Vickery
The bearded beast will be matched for size and strength by Simmons, but will look to maul the inexperienced Vickery. Hudson’s value lies more in his grunt work than his tap work, and with the Richmond ruckmen preferring to do their work in the air, look for Ben to have a big influence around the ground.
The Other Riewoldt vs Lake
Not really a big forward option, Nick’s cousin is still a good size and has a decent pair of hands. Lake will look to drift off and help out as much as possible, but he needs to be mindful of Jack as he can be slippery.
Hall vs Moore
This is a match up more to the Dogs liking than the previous week. Prestigiacomo is to full backs what Hall is to full forwards. Big, strong and dour, he was always going to be a tough match up for Hall.
Moore is an honest footballer who tries hard, but it’s hard to see him competing with Hall in the strength stakes. The Dogs should play Hall deep in the goal square and allow him room to move. All in all, this looms as a tough day for Kel Moore.
The X-Factor
Recovery. Each side in their own way suffered demoralising losses in round 1. The Dogs, riding on a wave of public acclaim after a strong preseason were relentlessly hunted and outrun by a ready and waiting Magpies. Likewise, the optimism of a new coach heralding a new era at Richmond was deflated as they ran face first into a great Blue wall. The ability of both teams to assess, amend and learn from their round 1 experience will go a long way to determining the outcome of this match.
The Verdict
Hard to go past the Dogs. Last weeks loss should serve as a wake up call that they can’t assume they will win because their preseason form has been good. Should be nearing the balance point between youth, age and experience that all teams with serious aspirations must. If all plays out as it should, the Bulldogs will have too much class, strength and desire for a fairly young Richmond side.
Bulldogs faithful should be dissatisfied with anything less than a ten goal margin. Hall to kick six.