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A new footy season is upon us, and for Richmond and Melbourne, this is an important hit-out in preparation for the season ahead. Join us for live coverage from 7.10pm (AEDT).
The restructured pre-season sees the old NAB Cup, with its triple-headers and multiple matches, replaced by 18 games in 18 days. This means that each club only has two matches to fine-tune their preparations for the season – so there is no time to waste.
It’s the third match of the 18 day pre-season footy carnival. Already we’ve seen Geelong get up over Collingwood in a thriller and then Hawthorn enjoying a big win over Brisbane. Tonight at Docklands, it’s Richmond and Melbourne.
After years of falling agonisingly close to the finals, Richmond made their way into the playoff action last year, but went out in the elimination final against a fast-finishing Carlton. Although it was a disappointing end to 2013, at least the Tigers had broken that finals drought, giving themselves something to build on this season.
Coach Damien Hardwick remains at the helm at Tigerland, and they have named a strong team for tonight’s match.
Although key forward Jack Riewoldt and ruckman Ivan Maric are out injured, there’s still plenty of class left in the Tiger side.
Big name players such as Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin will be looking to play themselves into form for the season ahead.
Shaun Hampson, after crossing over from Carlton, makes his debut in the famous yellow and black, and three players picked up in last year’s national draft, Ben Lennon, Nathan Gordon and Sam Lloyd get their chance to press a claim for senior selection.
Melbourne will be a team to watch early in the season. A disastrous 2013 season saw them only just avoid the dreaded wooden spoon, amid weekly headlines of a club in crisis as coach Mark Neeld fell on his sword.
At the end of the season, the SOS call was sent out and former Sydney premiership coach Paul Roos answered the call; tonight he coaches the Demons for the first time.
Drastic changes needed to be made to the playing list, and the Demons were active at the trade table. Throwing the dice, they traded their number 2 pick to GWS Giants for Dom Tyson.
Other trades saw the Demons land the services of Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross and Viv Michie. All four will play their first game in Demon colours tonight.
Jack Trengove was deposed as captain, but remains in the team; while Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes will be joint skippers for the Demons this season.
Only one of their draftees, Jay Kennedy-Harris, will be playing tonight. Mini-draft selection Jesse Hogan has a knee injury but hopes to be right for round 1.
And for entertainment value, it’s worth pointing out that Jeremy Howe is playing. Howe is sure to take at least one spectacular high-flying mark, even if he gives away some free kicks in the process.
With just two pre-season games for each club, this is an important hit-out for both clubs. Join us here on The Roar from 7.10pm (AEDT) for what’s sure to be a key contest that will reveal plenty about the season to come.
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