Roar Guru
The Richmond Tigers will be looking to continue a round of upsets when they travel across the Nullabor to take on the West Coast Eagles at Patersons Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentaries from 8:40pm AEST.
The Tigers come into this game off the back of their best performance for this season, beating Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.
It was the Tigers first four-quarter performance all season, and fans would be left wondering where this kind of effort was at the start of the season.
The Eagles survived a late scare against the Brisbane Lions when they met at the Gabba two weeks ago. It wasn’t an easy encounter for the Eagles who gave up a lead late in the game only to get it back and hold on.
Like St Kilda last weekend, one of their champions in Dean Cox has announced that he will retire at season’s end, and if the Saints performance is anything to go by, the Eagles will be doing all they can for arguably the greatest ruckman to play the game.
With not much time left in the season for the Tigers, fringe players are pressuring for spots in Damien Hardwick’s best 22. Nathan Gordon, who had 27 possessions and a goal in the VFL at the weekend, is staking his claim, as is young midfielder Matt McDonough (22 possessions and 7 clearances).
Reece Conca (concussion) and Shaun Grigg (hamstring) need to prove their fitness on the track, as does youngster Ben Lennon (concussion).
The Eagles made six changes in their last match, so it’s unlikely we will see Adam Simpson swing the axe too much here. Dean Cox however was rested for the Lions game and he will return this week, and a host of other players could make their returns.
Brad Sheppard missed with an ankle injury, so could return. Mitch Brown is a chance to be fit to return from his knee and ankle injury. Sharrod Wellingham had 26 touches in the WAFL after being dropped. Jamie Cripps and Jamie Bennell also impressed.
Prediction
The Tigers were red hot against the Power and if they bring that same attitude I can’t see them losing this one.
Tigers by 16.