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After last week’s nail-biting one-point loss, today the Sydney Swans again travel to Melbourne in the hope of edging closer to a finals berth, facing a Richmond side desperately needing to restore pride. Join us from 2.00pm AEST for live scores and blog.
This is one game the Swans simply cannot afford to lose.
Coming off a result which conceded ground to Essendon, a fellow top eight contender, getting the four points this week is a must – especially with matches against St Kilda and Geelong just around the corner.
For Richmond, this game is about snapping what has become an ugly losing streak.
The Tigers have lost their last six matches by an average of 50 points, and that’s in spite of the fact opponents have included Melbourne and Gold Coast. It’s fair to say plenty of questions have been asked of the Tigers over the past two months.
Returning to the MCG for the first time in four weeks provides an opportunity for the players to respond.
For what it’s worth, though, Sydney have lost five of their last eight matches themselves. Plus, they have won only once at the MCG in the last four years (which would be a slightly more relevant statistic if it weren’t for the fact that one win came against – you guessed it – Richmond).
So how will this one play out?
The advantage to the Swans today will start with Shane Mumford in the ruck, who should provide the team’s midfield unit with ample supply of the ball. It will be crucial for the Tigers to firstly quell the impact of Adam Goodes, who had a ripper game last week save for that miss at the end, and also for their own midfielders to win plenty of the pill.
Brett Deledio has hit 30-plus disposals the past three matches, while Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin have each shown considerable potential at times this season. Big games from this trio will help the Tiger cause enormously.
The respective forward lines will be interesting to watch. At one end young Sam Reid will be the key target for the Swans. Reid is showing plenty of potential and had seven scoring shots the last time these teams met (pity inaccuracy left him with only two goals). He doesn’t yet have consistency but if he has a good day, watch out.
At the other end is Jack Riewoldt, who lately hasn’t quite been in the form that netted him last year’s Coleman Medal. If he can turn things around today, watch out.
The Tigers showed some signs a corner may have been turned last week against West Coast, albeit only in patches, so this one may be closer than what one might first suspect. My tip – Sydney by 24 points.
Head to Head: Richmond 101 wins, Sydney Swans 82 wins, one draw
Past Five: Richmond 1 Sydney 4
Last Time: Sydney Swans 9.21 (75) d Richmond 9.11 (65), Round 12, 2011 at the SCG
Centrebet Odds: Richmond $2.55, Sydney Swans $1.30