Roar Guru
The AFL’s newest club hosts its second game at their new home ground, still chasing an historic first win in Sydney. Join us at 2:10pm AEST for minute-by-minute commentary and live score updates when the Giants host the Tigers at Skoda Stadium.
The true sleeping giant of AFL, the Richmond Football Club and their Yellow and Black Army, has stirred this season with some rousing victories against well-credentialed teams, but their run up the ladder was halted last week by an unexpected home loss to Fremantle.
Thus a follow up game against the Giants comes at the perfect time for the Tigers, who will be keen to atone and coach, Damian Hardwick, will ensure that complacency is not an issue.
The Richmond spearhead, ‘jumping’ Jack Riewoldt, is getting over an ankle injury, having kept it in ice the past week, but it looks like he is a certain starter as he chases after Buddy Franklin in the race for the Coleman Medal.
In the pre-season game at Manuka, Riewoldt led the Giants defence a merry dance, but on this occasion, co-captain, Phil Davis, will be there to stand Riewoldt, and that will be one of the key battles in the game.
At the opposite end, last year’s number one draft pick, Jonathon Patton, will debut as a key forward. After an interrupted pre-season, it’s unlikely he is anywhere near full match fitness, so we can’t expect too much from him, nevertheless, the debut of a number one draft pick always carries its own interest.
Over the last few weeks, we have become accustomed to the Giants staying with their opponents for the first half of footy before being overrun in the second half to the tune of 10 or 11 goals.
A key focus for the Giants’ coaching staff today will be in imploring their young charges to stay with their opponents for an additional quarter, as they continue their development at AFL level.
It’s worth noting that last season Richmond was one of the scalps that the then newest club, the Gold Coast Suns, earned, but we are talking about a different Tiger outfit today, with real potential to figure in the finals.
That being the case, there is no way the Tigers will let this one slip, especially with a midfield division in great form, including ruckman Ivan Maric and prolific onballer, Trent Cotchin.
It’s also worth noting that two of the Giants’ better players in the last few weeks, ruckman Jonathon Giles and midfielder, Stephen Coniglio, are out injured, although Dean Brogan and Rhys Palmer are handy replacements.
With too much to play for, Richmond will win this with or without Jumping Jack. The fighting fury from Tigerland to purr to a comfortable win.