Launceston sees their first taste of AFL for 2013 as the NAB Cup makes its visit with Hawthorn taking on Richmond in the last round of the pre-season competition. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 1.10pm AEDT.
Surprisingly Hawthorn is yet to taste victory in the 2013 NAB Cup, while Richmond is an outside chance to make the final with two wins from three.
The Hawks were always going to be a little behind the eight-ball during the pre-season, starting around five to six weeks later than most of their rivals.
So to see outrun in the closing stages against the Western Bulldogs wasn’t a massive surprise to the Hawks fan who is watching closely.
Coach Alastair Clarkson has admitted though they need to shape up quickly before round one against Geelong.
There could be some big inclusions on the way against the Tigers – Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne and Xavier Ellis will likely return.
Coming back from slight injuries are Paul Puopolo and Cyril Rioli, but the big intrigue could surround Luke Hodge if he’s named.
Clarkson dropped the hint Hodge could get a start after last week’s loss, but if he does, don’t expect a lot of game time.
Richmond is coming off a ripping finish at Wangaratta against the Bombers, where they fought back from a couple of goals down midway through the final quarter to get up by eight points.
This was a solid hitout for some of the younger guns coming through the ranks at Tigerland as they had no Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio or Ivan Maric to come to the rescue.
It signals a sign of things to come from Richmond, who are set to take on the top eight in 2013 with the second-stringers battling hard for permanent spots.
One of those is Nick Vlastuin, who was the number nine draft pick at the end of last year. He’s looked very slick and silky throughout the warm up matches and is almost a certainty to get picked for round one.
Cotchin, Deledio and Maric are expected to make their return for this NAB Cup match, while defender Troy Chaplin could also come into the squad.
The Tigers will be seeing this as a dress rehearsal for round one. A victory here today could quash the usual ‘ninth-place finish’ talk and see them as serious contenders for the season.
George Hill
Guest
I like rich
JR Salazar
Guest
Rubbish performance, Hawks. Don't let that happen again.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4kahV7REp4
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Full Time - HAW 0.13.6 (84) | RICH 0.13.7 (85) Good solid hitout for both teams. Hawthorn had an under-strengthed team, but to finish off with a loss isn't ideal. They line up against Geelong in Round 1. While Richmond finish the NAB Cup with 3 wins and 1 loss. Won't make the Grand Final with their percentage, but still a strong pre-season. For their sake, you hope that materialises into a top eight season to come. They play Carlton in Round 1 in about 3 weeks time. There's still more action to come across today for the NAB Cup. Live scores happening across the day. I'll catch you again with more AFL coverage throughout the season. Twitter - @TheSportsFreak
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Full Time - HAW 0.13.6 (84) | RICH 0.13.7 (85) GOALKICKERS (* - Super Goal) HAW – Jarryd Roughead 5, Shaun Burgoyne 2, Matthew Spangher 2, Shane Savage 1, Jed Anderson 1, Derick Wanganeen 1, Sam Grimley 1 RICH – Chris Newman 3, Jack Riewoldt 3, Jake King 2, Brett Deledio 2, Tyrone Vickery 1, Shaun Grigg 1, Bachar Houli 1 PLAYER STATS Sam Mitchell HAW 29 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 5 clearances (3 centre, 2 stoppage), 5 rebound 50’s, 7 tackles Trent Cotchin RICH 28 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 6 marks (1 contested, 2 inside 50), 4 clearances, 5 inside 50’s, 4 tackles, 1 goal assist Bachar Houli RICH 24 dispoasls, 9 marks (1 contested, 2 inside 50), 2 goal assists, 1 goal Brett Deledio RICH 24 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 6 marks (1 contested, 1 inside 50’s), 6 clearances (5 centre), 4 tackles, 4 inside 50’s, 2 goals Bradley Hill HAW 22 disposals, 6 marks (2 inside 50), 4 inside 50’s, 3 one-percenters, 1 goal assist TEAM STATS Disposals: RICH 306-303, Clearances: HAW 27-26, Inside 50’s: RICH 46-41, Contested Possessions: RICH 112-110, Tackles: HAW 55-40
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Full Time - HAW 0.13.6 (84) | RICH 0.13.7 (85) It's a shame for the Tigers there's no points up for grabs today, but always important in pre-season to win games like that. If you're in situations like that in the regular season, at least you've got the experience of finishing it off. Jarryd Roughead's 5 goals for the Hawks not enough to get them over the line. Richmond win by 1 point at Aurora Stadium.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Full Time - HAW 0.13.6 (84) | RICH 0.13.7 (85) Jack Riewoldt to win the game... in the pocket - 30m out. Kicks... a... GOAL!!! Tigers win by 1 point!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:00 left - HAW 0.13.6 (84) | RICH 0.12.7 (79) Not long to go now. Cotchin with a free kick in the middle. Looks up... goes long, Riewoldt has to spoil from behind. In the pocket, cleared away by the Hawks. But now Deledio kicks it back into the hot spot. Vickery caught up and forced to handball away... Bachar Houli's nearby... kicks into the pocket - RIEWOLDT!!! Marks... SIREN...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:12 left - HAW 0.13.6 (84) | RICH 0.12.7 (79) Centre clearance for the Hawks and a free kick too. Should have been given advantage!? Burgoyne long ball inside 50 - free kick against Alex Rance. Went far too early with his leap for a mark... had Roughead underneath him. Ump calls a push out. Roughead from 40m out - GOAL! ROUGHY HAS 5
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:48 left - HAW 0.12.6 (78) | RICH 0.12.7 (79) Ricky Petterd looked short to Jack Batchelor, but a poor decision. Had a defender straight on him, punched it away from him. Keeps it near the boundary. Tigers though from the stoppage away. Shane Edwards handballed off to Brandon Ellis, then gets some freedom to kick it long to the forward line!!! Chris Newman with the mark 45m out for the Tigers. To put them back in front... GOT IT!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:00 left - HAW 0.12.6 (78) | RICH 0.11.7 (73) Roughead had a marking contest... but dropped it. Ball up in the forward line for the Hawks. Kicking in danger against the Hawks, Conca to clear for Richmond.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:00 left - HAW 0.12.6 (78) | RICH 0.11.7 (73) Trent Cotchin got away from a defender in the middle of the ground. The ball travels long towards the goals to Vickery - Schoenmakers stops him in his tracks, then eludes another defender to clear it away for the Hawks!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:10 left - HAW 0.12.6 (78) | RICH 0.11.7 (73) Derick Wanganeen in the middle of the ground puts a dangerous kick forward. No mark taken, but a great one-percenter from Jed Anderson to get it free to Isaac Smith. Could snap for goal, but cleverly spots Jarryd Roughead by himself in the opposite pocket. Kicks for the lead again - GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:30 left - HAW 0.11.6 (72) | RICH 0.11.7 (73) Push in the back to Jake King in the forward pocket! A bit of luck, but it was there. Goes short and backwards to Chris Newman. In a better position to score. Kicks on goal... straightens - GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:00 left - HAW 0.11.6 (72) | RICH 0.10.7 (67) Good run along the wing from Isaac Smith, handballs to Ben Stratton... goes to the goal square for Jarryd Roughead!!! Nice grab, near the goal square. 15m out - GOAL! Hawthorn lead!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:00 left - HAW 0.10.6 (66) | RICH 0.10.7 (67) Down the other end, Trent Cotchin has taken a mark at half forward... then centres it short to Robin Nahas. Kicks from 49 m out... decides to go unselfish to Riewoldt - but outmarked by Josh Gibson! Golden opportunity lost...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:00 left - HAW 0.10.6 (66) | RICH 0.10.7 (67) Nice short kick from Shane Savage towards the goal square, the Tigers try to clear it from the hot spot... but falls into the lap of Isaac Smith. Has a shot from 40m out... but just misses
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 15:00 left - HAW 0.10.5 (65) | RICH 0.10.7 (67) Turnover at half forward for the Tigers as Kyle Cheney pops it inside 50 for the Hawks to Roughead. Unselfishly hands it off to Sam Grimley who SLAMS it in for a GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 17:00 left - HAW 0.9.5 (59) | RICH 0.10.7 (67) If Richmond want to make the NAB Cup GF, they'll need to kick away and build their percentage.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 18:00 left - HAW 0.9.5 (59) | RICH 0.10.7 (67) Smother off the boot of Kyle Cheney in defence... spills to the Tigers half forward flank. Boundary throw in. Trent Cotchin can slam it into the hot spot... decides to go short to Brett Deledio, takes the mark. Kicks from 45m out - GOAL!