The Richmond Tigers will be looking to continue a round of upsets when they travel across the Nullabor to take on the West Coast Eagles at Patersons Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentaries from 8:40pm AEST.
The Tigers come into this game off the back of their best performance for this season, beating Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.
It was the Tigers first four-quarter performance all season, and fans would be left wondering where this kind of effort was at the start of the season.
The Eagles survived a late scare against the Brisbane Lions when they met at the Gabba two weeks ago. It wasn’t an easy encounter for the Eagles who gave up a lead late in the game only to get it back and hold on.
Like St Kilda last weekend, one of their champions in Dean Cox has announced that he will retire at season’s end, and if the Saints performance is anything to go by, the Eagles will be doing all they can for arguably the greatest ruckman to play the game.
With not much time left in the season for the Tigers, fringe players are pressuring for spots in Damien Hardwick’s best 22. Nathan Gordon, who had 27 possessions and a goal in the VFL at the weekend, is staking his claim, as is young midfielder Matt McDonough (22 possessions and 7 clearances).
Reece Conca (concussion) and Shaun Grigg (hamstring) need to prove their fitness on the track, as does youngster Ben Lennon (concussion).
The Eagles made six changes in their last match, so it’s unlikely we will see Adam Simpson swing the axe too much here. Dean Cox however was rested for the Lions game and he will return this week, and a host of other players could make their returns.
Brad Sheppard missed with an ankle injury, so could return. Mitch Brown is a chance to be fit to return from his knee and ankle injury. Sharrod Wellingham had 26 touches in the WAFL after being dropped. Jamie Cripps and Jamie Bennell also impressed.
Prediction
The Tigers were red hot against the Power and if they bring that same attitude I can’t see them losing this one.
Tigers by 16.
joe b
Guest
Really can't see Simpson coaching after 2015 if Eagles aren't in the top 8 next year. He is yet to impress.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time So in a game that produced not all that much the highlight of the night was Cotchin's goal off the ground. Priddis was the main highlight from the Eagles and his second half was brilliant he finished the game with 30 disposals and 18 tackles. That's all from me tonight, my best 3 are (with three being the highest): 3. Priddis 2. Martin 1. Deledio Eagles 6.6.42 - Tigers 8.11.59
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time Disposal winners: Eagles: 30 Priddis, 26 Gaff, 25 Shuey, 23 Masten Tigers: 27 Ellis, 26 Deledio, 25 Martin, 25 Foley Goals: Eagles: 2 Darling, LeCras, Kennedy, Tunbridge, McGinnity Tigers: 2 Martin, 2 Vickery, Vlastuin, Miles, Riewoldt Eagles 6.6.42 - Tigers 8.11.59
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time Full time! The Tigers win a dour contest with not many highlights, this will be one that both sides would like to put in the closet. Eagles 6.6.42 - Tigers 8.11.59
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
18 tackles is unreal!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 0:54 remaining Good effort from anyone who has stuck around to watch this game, it's been a stinker! Eagles 6.6.42 - Tigers 8.11.59
Mik
Guest
priddis and martin only two who can play wet weather footy
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 2:00 remaining The result is now in the bag and both sides will be looking to get out of this game without a major injury. Eagles 6.6.42 - Tigers 8.11.59
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 3:05 remaining Conca now kicks across his body and finds Gordon 30 out no real angle to speak of. It starts right and drifts across to the left for a behind. Eagles 6.6.42 - Tigers 8.11.59
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 4:14 remaining Foley kicks it forward and Riewoldt wins the cheap free kick, this will ice the game. The contact any defender is allowed is gone, this is ridiculous. Riewoldt from 5 out drills it and the Tigers are home. Eagles 6.6.42 - Tigers 8.10.58
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 5:20 remaining The Eagles going forward are in all tactical sense poor, they keep kicking to the numbers of the Tigers and it hasn't worked since the first quarter! Hurn now just blazes away and it skids off to the right. Eagles 6.6.42 - Tigers 7.10.52
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 6:00 remaining Priddis hands off to McGovern who just sends it high, it's all Tigers and Chaplin marks and now they clear before Brown fists it out on the wing. Eagles 6.5.41 - Tigers 7.10.52
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 6:40 remaining 7 minutes to go and it still feels like the Eagles are out of range. Eagles 6.5.41 - Tigers 7.10.52
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
I'm thinking of joining you this game has been trash despite it's close nature.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 7:52 remaining Miles creates some good space and he finds Deledio in the pocket who takes a strong mark. It starts right and stays right, margin only 11. Eagles 6.5.41 - Tigers 7.10.52
Truth
Guest
I'm contemplating pouring paint on the ground and watching it dry instead of continuing to watch footy. Not only is the split round dreary, but they schedule this lump of a game on Friday night.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 9:07 remaining Eagles win the free kick via McGinnity at half forward, he loads it to the top of the square but Maric was the only one who contested the mark, but Thomas gave away the free kick on the way out. LeCras just bangs it back in and it goes out off hands. Eagles 6.5.41 - Tigers 7.9.51
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 11:05 remaining Ball spending a lot of time down forward for the Tigers, if they kick a goal here it could well be game over, Martin spins on his left and kicks it out on the full. Eagles 6.4.40 - Tigers 7.9.51
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 13:11 remaining Trickles out of bounds in the forward pocket for the Tigers, packs have been a theme tonight and this is no exception. Riewoldt buckles the knees as he is tackled and he wins the free kick, it's soft but it's there. Riewoldt's first shot on goal and he shanks it! Eagles 6.4.40 - Tigers 7.9.51
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 14:48 remaining It's deep forward for the Eagles, Vlastuin however wins a cheap free kick for chopping the arm. Eagles 6.4.40 - Tigers 7.8.50