Richmond return to the finals for the first time since 2001 and will face Carlton after the Blues produced an unbelievable comeback last week to defeat Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium. Join us for live scores and udpates from 3.20pm AEST.
While this is a massive game for both clubs, the story is really about the Tigers who have been big improvers this year. They finished fifth on the ladder and will want to make a statement in their first finals campaign in 12 years.
Carlton managed to snap up the finals spot vacated by Essendon after they were famously denied the chance to play in September, and the Blues will be feeling confident despite Richmond’s Round 1 win over them earlier this year.
The Blues have dominated recent match-ups between the two sides winning 10 of their last 11 matches, including their most recent encounter in Round 21. Carlton managed a ten-point victory over the Tigers even after trailing by five goals at quarter time.
But in that match Petterd, Cotchin and Riewoldt all suffered injuries for Richmond, and Carlton can’t allow them that sort of start in an elimination final.
Chris Newman is expected to play this week to play his first finals game in his storied 232-game career.
A big factor here is that Richmond has just 17 games of finals experience compared to the 92 games of Carlton. The question is whether form throughout the season or finals experience will count in this game.
Key Match ups
Zach Touhy versus Dustin Martin
This surprised everyone when Touhy went to Martin in Round 21, however it proved to be yet another Malthouse masterstroke.
Martin was in red hot form, averaging 29 disposals over his last five games, but Touhy kept Martin to a career low 10 possessions and had 11 disposals himself. Even more importantly he kept Martin to no clearances.
Trent Cotchin versus Ed Curnow
In Round 21 Cotchin was held to his season low of 14 possessions by Curnow. However with Brett Deledio proving a game-breaker Malthouse might choose to use Curnow on Deledio.
Either way, Curnow will be up for the challenge, last week his final-quarter job on a rampaging Brad Ebert was crucial to the Blues winning the game.
He held Ebert to two possessions in the last term after he had kicked four goals and had 21 possessions in the first three quarters.
Michael Jamison versus Jack Riewoldt
In Round 1 Riewoldt was used in a different role than what he usually plays. He played high up the ground and took Jamison out of his comfort zone. Although Riewoldt finished with 0.4 and 15 possessions he was praised for his unselfishness that day.
Jamison got his revenge in Round 21 when he was moved onto the former Coleman medallist, keeping him goalless after he was moved onto Riewoldt.
Richmond defenders versus Carlton’s small forwards
If Richmond wants to win this game they will have to shut down the indigenous trio of Eddie Betts, Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran.
When this trio plays well the Blues usually do well. They are crafty players who are primed for a big-game performance against the Tigers.
The coaches
It will be well documented before the game the vast difference in coaching experience. Mick Malthouse will be coaching in his 20th final series and this will be his 51st final. His record stands at 26 wins, 22 losses and two draws.
Damian Hardwick will be coaching in his first final.
The prediction
Expect this game to be big, as both have so much to lose. Recent history tells you that Carlton should do well, but this is a new Richmond side that is hungry for success.
Tip:
Tigers by five.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Apparently if it is knocked out by the tackling player it's play on? That was what I was seeing although I certainly didn't like it, too many times a player had prior and clearly dropped it. Gieschen needs to come out and clear it up for us all. I remember Waite pinning Rance's arm and he dropped it cold, so it went both ways.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Touhy is the kryptonite for Martin, he seems to destroy him. Was a good change from Mick considering I think Touhy started on Vickery :)
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Judd was instrumental in the 3rd I think him and Gibbs had around 10 clearances in the 3rd quarter alone. The coaching staff didn't react to the fact they were getting smashed at stoppages and they paid for it. The disposals doesn't tell a story as a lot of the disposals for Richmond were linking handballs, Carlton played a very counter attacking style and looked to take many less disposals to get it down the field.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
I must say the coaching by Malthouse was excellent, his ability to shut down Martin and Vlastuin in the 2nd half was crucial to their success. Along with the fact he must have given Betts, Garlett and Yarran a rocket as their 2nd half forward pressure was incredible compared to the first half. Robinson said after the match he feared for his future after he rushed the behind, he played a big last 10 minutes. As for the Tigers they will learn from the experience, one thing that needed to be done was certainly shut down Judd, and I think the loss of Conca hurt in the long run. Riewoldt shouldn't have played.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Yeah true, a lot of players come from a diverse background.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
All I remember seeing on the TV was a see of red! :)
Edan Nissen
Roar Rookie
I'm not saying that the three are on the same level, but even the best players in the game (ala Ablett, Swan, Pendlebury, Watson, Judd, Selwood... etc etc) are capable of having one bad game, that does not mean the baby must be thrown out with the bath water. "Bargain basement sale of those players for Hardwick, or he’ll be holidaying in September in 2014." - Seems to suggest you are up for a thorough list change. As opposed to taking this game for what it was, take what they achieved over the season instead. They racked up important and impressive wins against quality opposition and managed to win through to the end. I was incredibly impressed with Richmond's season this year, while they started strong my impression was that they were going to fade late in the season as they usually do. However, they proved me wrong and ended up finishing in a respectable 5th.
OneEyed
Guest
What was with the umpiring? Since when is front on contact in s marking contest OK ??? And the incorrect disposal rule (interpretation) is a JOKE. Betts drops the ball in a tackle, result...Carlton goal. And there were so many 'one handed' handballs I thought I was watching volleyball.
Blind Bombers
Guest
Vickery, Maric and...Ablett, all in the same sentence. Not in the same constellation when it comes to talent though. I'm simply pointing out how poor they were. The only way either of those two would take the Tigers into a finals win would be if they were driving the bus... Riewoldt showed either Hardwick's error in playing him then not knowing where to, or Riewoldt's ego and selfishness to play above his team mates. Either way it was a blunder. The Tigers have a very small core to hang their hat on, the rest shoud be thankful they're getting an AFL game because not many other teams would have them. Tigers should aim high again next year, for 9th.
Edan Nissen
Roar Rookie
Sorry, I assumed that the shock was in relation to Richmond losing in general, it seemed like a majority of people had decided that this game was sown up for the Tigers before the ball was bounced. I saw your tip before the game having Richmond winning, but I'll concede it did only have a 5 point margin next to it. It was also at people in general who are so surprised by the result considering the fact that Carlton had beaten them three weeks ago, and Richmond's victory in Round 1 was far from convincing.
Edan Nissen
Roar Rookie
That comment is completely reactionary and will drag the Tigers backwards. The Tigers list is at a good age to threaten but many of their good up and coming players are still young. Vlastuin just finished his first season and Ellis and Morris have just finished their second. Deledio, Cotchin and Martin are still young and will hopefully get better. The Tigers have a real chance at the Flag in the next few years IF they continue to develop along the path that they have been and continue to recruit players as well as they have been (it'll get harder due to later draft picks). This was the first time the Tigers have been in the finals since 2001, and only 5 members had played finals football, all of them at different clubs. On the other side of the match, Carlton had a side with several players who had played finals football, while Carlton had a disappointing season, they did manage to finish in the top 8 the three seasons before that, and it wasn't until their 3rd final that they got a win. Richmonds most experienced finals player was Troy Chaplain with 5 prior to todays game, compared to Judd who has played in 13 finals over his career. Riewoldt got beaten by Jamison, as he regularly has, but the idea that he isn't one of the games best full forwards is insane. Vickery and Maric also got beaten, so what it's one game, there have been several games that they dominated in. Gary Ablett is one of the best players in the game, you don't think he's ever had a bad game? Hear this, IF the Tigers do what you are suggesting and sell off their players, like you called for in your other comment, they won't reappear in finals. However, if they keep this list and continue to develop it, barring uncontrollable circumstances they will be a feature of the finals for the next few years to come.
Blind Bombers
Guest
There weren't 9,000 Victory fans at that game. I worked in the ticketing side and the MV fans were a less than 10,000 allocation and the club started selling them elsewhere...
Blind Bombers
Guest
Those stats make for very embarrassing reading. The coaching staff failed, and the playing group went soft. Like the Tigers of old, lots of soft disposals but failed to stand up where it counts - tackles and clearances (the hard stuff). Bargain basement sale of those players for Hardwick, or he'll be holidaying in September in 2014.
bryan
Guest
Not really comparable,there was another rather important team playing the Victory that day. Melbournites can see the Blues or Tigers play most weeks with rhe travel cost of a tram ride,but it is far more expensive to go to the UK & see Liverpool in their natural environment. You'd still get a decent crowd for Victory -v- Heart,but not 95,000
Blind Bombers
Guest
To watch you mean? On that performance and looking at their list, they won't be playing finals next year. Martin must really be burning, having been outplayed by Tuouy, who started playing footy after Dustin's first jail tattoo. 28 more disposals is like having an extra player, and 6 more inside 50's, shows how bad the Tigers choked.
Blind Bombers
Guest
That's a very naive way to look at it. If the Tigers accept this loss as meekly as they gave it up today, then don't go buying finals tickets for another ten years... Out-coached, comprehensively. The Tigers are not a young side, they are older on average than the Swans and just younger than Hawthorn and Gelling by less than a year. Look it up. They were overawed, kicking badly and showing how scared they were under the bright lights. Again, that is a problem the coach failed on. Dustin Martin failed to stand up when it counted and is only a B+ grader, he's not A grade at all on that game. Couldn't even run out the game. He needs to stop listening to his fans cheering his bowel movements and get fit. He must feel pretty silly holding the Tigers to ransom on his salary negotiations. One day he might get near A grade, maybe. There were more that 5 Richmond set shots at goal from the 50m line that didn't even make the distance, which is appalling. Shows their poor fitness and poor skills. Houli wasted so much ball it would kill a coach, and they carried Newman for sentimental reasons because he was well below par. He'll get the tap on the shoulder and retire now you watch. Vickery and Marich failed, Warnock killed them on his own. Was Jack Riewoldt even out there? He was comprehensively beaten, all day, had to go hunting for kicks on the wing and still barely seen. Tradebait for sure, the Tigers would be silly to persist with him. He'll get a 3rd round draft pick maybe. If he's on more than $500k then they'll never get an offer but should promise to wash the dishes at Punt Road because he's way overrated and overpaid. Jake King? The game hasn't passed him by, it's run over him. Mentally outclassed too which was sad, he was already too small and too slow. Stack him up against Carlton's small forwards and you laugh out loud. Judd stepped up when it counted, had 8 telling contested possessions when the Tigers "stars" were watching or just hiding. He has more class and professionalism than the whole Tigers outfit, including the 'management'. If the Tigers don't clean out 5 or more players from that team, they'll be lucky to be 9th again next year. The Tigers got way ahead of themselves. They had the game won on Friday, listening to all their old players and the fans' backslapping.
Blind Bombers
Guest
Just showed what a bogan he is, the Richmond fans wouldn't notice. Krakoueur did it once for Collingwood, says a lot about those teams and their players that they have family in jail...
Australian Rules
Guest
Can't believe it...poor Richmond. Oh well, 95,000 there today...they'll all be back next year!
MV Dave
Guest
Melbourne Victory pre season friendly over 95,000...dream on Brian.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
The way it turned around is a shock, my prediction prior to the game showed that I thought it would be close and I even told my friend who goes for Carlton that either team could win. The fact Richmond gave up a 31 point victory to a team that defeated them not to long ago, the shock is the fact Richmond let them come back again when they knew Carlton was capable of it.