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.
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Guest
Will. Why are you reading this? Less than steller...what.....what are doing wasting your time commenting on this blog?
Will Travel
Guest
So instead you go about throwing lables around just because people are refusing to follow AFL in GWS. Its not to hard to see that it's getting to you TC. You're putting down the other estalished sports in the area while exstolling the virtures the AFL with more zeal then a seasoned preacher. You're also attacking posters for pointing out the less then steller start for the GWS just because it doesn' fit into the AFL utopia that only exsists in your head. Sorry the only person who fears somthing is you, and your last dozen or so replys reek of it. So take the advice of your fellow AFL supporters and relax.
shirtfront
Guest
Amen. I would feel a bit sad about myself bagging on a live NRL or RU call. Very sad indeed. My tip: Collingwood v Essendon grand final.
Will Travel
Guest
These small GWS crowds are really starting to get to you, aren't they TC?
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Well, until this weekend, the live calls of all games, in all sports have been sacred and off limits of trolling - so it beggars the question why things changed this weekend? How far do you reckon you'd go jumping on the soccer and League live calls quizzing them about their pathetic crowds - I mean seriously - we're talking absolutely pathetic crowds - the lowest of the low. God - we could jump on every single game - and remind them of how pathetic their crowds are - even with their half decent crowds, we'd still be able to say: meh, not that good, to be perfectly honest - we could do it every weekend for ever and ever - we'd have a ball!!
Will Travel
Guest
It looks likes some one broke The Cattery.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
The GIANTS will play Melbourne at the MCG next Sunday in their first ever game at the home of Australian football.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Worthwhile recalling that on top of Jonathon Patton's exciting debut, two NSW boys also debuted. Sam Schulz, from Culcairn, started as a sub, while Mark Whiley, from Finley was there from the opening bounce and got some good early touches, he certainly went in hard after the footy. Finley is not a bad recruitment spot for the AFL, recalling the brownlow medalist and premiership player, Shane Crawford, also hails from there.
shirtfront
Guest
Don't let them get under your skin TC. Just sit back and enjoy a couple of decades of great footy. They'll figure it out eventually....if not, their kids will. Haha!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yeh - you're the one pretending to be a muslim. You're the one that played the race card in the "AFL" article you wrote. But it turns out you're just another skip pretending to be passionate about some soccer club overseas. Spare us.
shirtfront
Guest
Thanks Raf. Onwards and upwards.
Brewski
Roar Rookie
Titus said "I make no apoligies in questioning all forms of propaganda". Then perhaps you should question yourself !. I guess it's the AFL's fault that not many people are interested in soccer, is that what you are saying ?.
Raf Nadir
Roar Rookie
And why can't you admit Cat that 7K is a disappointing crowd for GWS and for the AFL? Why can't anyone in AFL land accept that?
Raf Nadir
Roar Rookie
Anyone who points out reality of GWS to AFL fans is a troll? I live in west Sydney and can tell you what GWS are really doing. You should check your sports dictionary, accept the truth and look for ways to broaden your heart.
Raf Nadir
Roar Rookie
The only reason the AFL get "record memberships" every year is because they change the definition of a membership every year. 3 game memberships? We are down to 1 game memberships now - yes 1 game memberships. So anyone who buys a ticket to a game is a club memeber". What's next - four quarter memberships per game to quadruple the membership numbers?
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
HA i could imagine a talk back show with those two,Mornings with Aka and Casso!
Col Quinn
Guest
Richmond V Hawthorn, year after year isnt there anything more than having to play the same side year after year, when are we going to see AFL play a good international series and not lose to the Irish amateurs. Or even better play a test series against the NZer, in 50years, or in 250 years (if AFL still exists) the Chinese. You know you cant have a viable state series because the majority of the palyer come from Victoria. Sorry TC but there is no need exagerate I can do it just as well as you can. You should join the campaign now started in Sydney. It is called "The Giants for the HIlls". Sydney siders dont object to the Giants just to the location.
Barry
Guest
Stupid comparison. The Rugby union match was against the 6th or 7th placed team in terms of crowd drawing capacity, behind All Blacks, Springboks, Lions, England and Ireland. What would have the League attracted if they were playing against say, oh thats right there isn't 6 or 7 rep teams to play against.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
It's not important the interest in SOO - when are league people going to understand - it's 3 games per year - in the grand scheme of things - it amounts to nothing. And it's the same two teams - year after year. It's a bit like saying horse racing is popular just because everyone has a bet on Melbourne Cup day.
Col Quinn
Guest
TC, The Giants had a good go today. Still doesnt change anything. They should be in the Hills District. Cant wait till St Kilda work them over though. Oh, yes ,State of Origin (over 45,000 Melbournians having a great time, check the post code distribution) Perth fighting to have a SOO game there next year coursing Melbourne to up its ante The four nations (and that rotates among several differnt countries) The World Cup. The chance to represent your Country. The RU test in Melbourne last night really showed that there is interest in RL in Mlebourne just like there is interest in AFL in Sydney. The RU test could only get 30,000 and I bet there were 5,000 from north of the Murray and about 5,000 Welshmen. RL scored over 55,000 and only between 5 and 10 thou were from interstate. CQ