Sunday’s showcase of AFL starts off with an interesting matchup at Simonds Stadium as Geelong host Richmond. It all gets underway at 1.10pm AEST and we’ll have all the action as it happens.
The last couple of the weeks for Geelong have been tough – a gruelling win against Hawthorn on Easter Monday followed by a loss to a very exciting North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium last Sunday.
The loss last week would have stung like crazy.
Geelong weren’t terrible. In fact at times they looked like they would overpower the Kangas. But their opponents worked them out straightaway – they lost the stoppages, a stat they’ve dominated for the last few years.
But their record against Richmond is a strong one, winning the last seven, and losing just once in 15 matches dating back to 2001.
James Kelly is a big loss for the Cats, out with a groin injury. He’s important to their defensive ability to break any presses applied by their opponents. The good news is the return of Josh Hunt and Mathew Stokes.
The Cats are still genuine top four contenders and have proven that their depth, while questioned numerous times, is still very strong, with great talent coming through the ranks. Cameron Guthrie, Tom Gillies, and George Horlin-Smith are just a few of their up and comers.
Richmond fans would have seen what North Melbourne did to the Cats last week and saw that they are indeed beatable. The coach knows that’s irrelevant. And don’t ask him about the pre-season win – also irrelevant.
So how do the Tigers go about it today?
Their midfield must match the Cats. Dustin Martin, Shane Tuck, Brett Deledio and Trent Cotchin have shown throughout the last couple of years how good they are individually, but they rarely combine to devastate their opponents. That must happen today.
Keep in mind that Geelong hasn’t won the contested possession count in any of their three games so far, plus Richmond are the leaders in disposal efficiency in 2012 (77 percent compared, to Geelong at 70 percent which is 14th in the league).
Jack Riewoldt has had a poor start to the season. Despite four goals against Carlton in round onen, he’s kicked just one in his next two games combined, not good enough for a forward with so much ability. Beat the likes of Lonergan and Taylor, while getting some support from Vickery and Nahas, and things will start to look promising.
Then there’s the defensive line – Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes and Chris Newman have had a solid start to 2012. Keep Podsiadly and Hawkins quiet or force them to be inaccurate, then maybe the Tigers could be in for a stirring victory.
The Tigers have to forget everything that’s happened in the past. This is the future. A future that has been built up to be so very bright. Now, is the time to make a statement, like North Melbourne last week.
So will Geelong steady, or will it be another momentous win against them? Action starts from 1.10pm AEST as the Cats take on the Tigers at Simonds Stadium, with comments and discussion here on The Roar starting shortly, so join in the conversation in the space below.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL - Geelong 11.9 75 def. Richmond 9.11 65 So the Cats get back even on the ladder with a 2-2 record. They won't be in the Top 8 by the end of the round, but at least they can build from here. They have Brisbane next week at the Gabba Despite a strong effort today from the Tigers, they're 1-3 and have West Coast at Etihad Stadium next week. Thanks for joining me today. I'll chat again next week for Round 5. Don't forget there's still plenty to come today, with Sydney and North Melbourne on now and the Demons and Dogs. Or of course, there's the City vs. Country league game... or the A-League Grand Final (come on Glory!) Follow me @TheSportsFreak on Twitter as well.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL - Geelong 11.9 75 def. Richmond 9.11 65 Goalscorers Geel - Mathew Stokes 2, Paul Chapman 2, Mitch Duncan 1, James Podsiadly 1, Tom Hawkins 1, Josh Hunt 1, Steven Motlop 1, Allen Christensen 1, Joel Selwood 1 Rich - Robin Nahas 2, Shaun Grigg 1, Nathan Foley 1, Ivan Maric 1, Daniel Jackson 1, Jack Riewoldt 1, Tyrone Vickery 1, Matt White 1 Player Stats Brett Deledio (Rich) 19 kicks, 12 handballs, 7 contested possessions, 8 inside 50's Harry Taylor (Geel) 15 kicks, 14 handballs, 11 contested possessions, 8 marks Shaun Grigg (Rich) 13 kicks, 15 handballs, 4 clearances, 4 rebound 50's, 1 goal Joel Selwood (Geel) 13 kicks, 14 handballs, 14 contested possessions, 10 tackles, 7 clearances, 1 goal Shane Tuck (Rich) 11 kicks, 16 handballs, 13 contested possessions, 9 tackles Team Stats Disposals: Rich 398-373; Contested Possessions: Rich 158-147; Marks: Geel 97-75; Tackles: Geel 93-72; Inside 50's: Geel 49-48
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL - Geelong 11.9 75 def. Rich 9.11 65 Not a pretty game of football. Scrappy because of the windy conditions for most of the game. Tigers should take heart from their performance today - they can match it with the top teams. Full wrap up of the stats to come.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL - Geelong 11.9 75 def. Rich 9.11 65 There's the siren. A tough fight for the Cats today. The Tigers will rue the second quarter where they let the game plan slip. The Cats get the win. They'll be mighty relieved!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:36 left - Geel 11.9 75 | Rich 9.11 65 Mitch Duncan falls onto the ball... he gets pushed into the back. Free kick. Then a long ball to the forward line... cleared by the Tigers. Stolen by the Cats! Now Steve Johnson can eat some time up. He'll kick on goal. 50m out... tough angle - just a behind. But the sands just about out of the hourglass
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:52 left - Geel 11.8 74 | Rich 9.11 65 Cats doing their best to keep it tight. Won't help the Tigers. Jimmy Bartel wins a free kick. Then another stoppage. The Cats locking it in.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:00 left - Geel 11.8 74 | Rich 9.11 65 Reece Conca should have been able to set something up... but a great smother from Corey Enright could have saved it. Jesse Stringer snaps for a behind
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:40 left - Geel 11.7 73 | Rich 9.11 65 Ball up in the Cats forward pocket. Tigers have to win a clean clearance. Time's running low. Knockout won by the Cats... Duncan SNAPS - behind only.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:50 left - Geel 11.6 72 | Rich 9.11 65 Jimmy Bartel's a star. Could have coughed up the footy about 5 times... but kept getting up to get the ball. Brilliant!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:59 left - Geel 11.6 72 | Rich 9.11 65 Daniel Jackson gets free from the stoppage. Snaps on goal - touched off the boot from Corey Enright. Just a behind.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:42 left - Geel 11.6 72 | Rich 9.10 64 Ball in, forward pocket for the Tigers... Joel Corey tries to clear. But kicks out on the full. Then a quick ball from Tyrone Vickery goes to Brett Deledio. The wind's died down a little. Can he put it throught? Nope - pushed it well wide... out of bounds.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:40 left - Geel 11.6 72 | Rich 9.10 64 Allen Christensen picks up the crumbs from the marking contest in the forward pocket... snaps... GOALS! Well done son!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:12 left - Geel 10.6 66 | Rich 9.10 64 Joel Selwood slipped... but copped a high tackle. Kick inside 50's mopped up by Reece Conca. Now Martin runs and carries... off to Foley. Kicks inside 50... mopped up by the Cats. Motlop, kicks to Allen Christensen (back onto the field after slight concussion)... kicks on goal - Behind. Almost...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:54 left - Geel 10.5 65 | Rich 9.10 64 Jesse Stringer (the sub for Geelong) makes immediate impact. Ripping tackle on Daniel Jackson at 45m out. Wins the free kick. How will he kick this though against the breeze? Ends up hitting the post! Unlucky.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 11:59 left - Geel 10.4 64 | Rich 9.10 64 Allen Christensen is in a spot of bother for the Cats. In the hands of the trainers. Looked like a high-hit from the second player coming into the contest. Now the Tigers back forward. Nathan Foley kicks long.... GOAL!!! Scores level!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:00 left - Geel 10.4 64 | Rich 8.10 58 Deledio runs onto a loose ball from the pack, kicks inside 50, but rebounded by the Cats. Now a chance for the Cats. Free kick in the midfield to Bartel. Drives it to Steve Johnson, who wins himself a free at 50m Wants to go short... then looks inboard. Now top of the goal square. Defended by the Tigers!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 15:01 left - Geel 10.4 64 | Rich 8.10 58 Ball bounces off the chest of Andrew Mackie in their defensive 50m... then a free kick to Matt White (the sub for Richmond). He'll kick from 50m out. Ball drifts back... GOAL!!! Tigers back within a kick!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 16:50 left - Geel 10.4 64 | Rich 7.10 52 Ripper of a contest up forward for the Cats. They had maybe four chances to gather and snap on goal, but the Tigers held firm. Then Trent Cotchin tried to run away, chased down by Steven Johnson. Got the free kick, but then tried to pass it off and turned it over!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 18:00 left - Geel 10.4 64 | Rich 7.10 52 Update on the subs - ADDAM MARIC is the man subbed off for Richmond.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 18:40 left - Geel 10.4 64 | Rich 7.10 52 Jesse Stringer is subbed on for Geelong. George Horlin-Smith is the man with the red jacket.