The 2017 AFL grand final has been billed as a battle between two clubs who have suffered too much since their most recent triumph. For the Tigers, a victory would end 37 years of heartache. The Crows, a win would be 19 years in the making.
All the wash-up from the 2017 AFL Grand Final
» Match Report: Tigers are premiers
» BUCKLAND: Richmond go from rabble to flag
» Six talking points from the match
» Richmond Tigers player ratings
» Adelaide Crows player ratings
» Watch video highlights from the match
» Re-live the match with our live blog
Adelaide has been the best team in the league all season long, carving up opposing teams with their slick ball movement, potent forward line, and steadfast defence. Richmond, whose potency went largely unnoticed for much of the season, are characterised by their manic forward-line pressure and their league-best defence. Having Dustin Martin and Alex Rance on the same team does no damage either.
When you look closer at the stats, it’s hard to find an area where Richmond can exploit the Crows. League-wide, the Crows rank first in contested possessions, third in contested marks, third in hitouts, second in clearances, third in tackles, fourth in one-percenters, second in inside 50s, 12th in disposal efficiency and ninth in uncontested possessions.
They rank higher than Richmond in every single statistic mentioned above. And that’s without any mention of scoring, Adelaide’s biggest strength.
(Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)
As the Western Bulldogs showed last year, though, all the statistics in the world amount to nothing if one side brings more heat and intensity to the contest than the other. The Bulldogs shocked the footy world and claimed a flag against all odds by simply not allowing their opposition any time and space to move in, even on the wide expanses of the MCG.
Richmond will be hoping to do the same. Their now famous ‘mosquito fleet’, consisting of the nimble Daniel Rioli, Jason Castagna, Dan Butler and Kane Lambert, is renowned for its pace and forward pressure.
Adelaide faced Richmond in their opening pre-season match in 2017, and it was clear then that the Tigers had more pace than in previous years, and that they could really bother some teams with it.
Here is the difference between the 2016 Bulldogs and the 2017 Tigers.
The Bulldogs were not a contested marking team. For their first 25 games of the 2016 season and the entirety of the 2017 season, teams exploited them in the air. In the Bulldogs preliminary final win over the Giants, Tom Boyd competed hard in the ruck and in marking contests as he was forced to take over the ruck duties in place of the injured Jordan Roughead.
Boyd competed at contests, and more importantly, gave his team a bailout kick down the line, where he was able to halve the contest and force a stoppage. In a big final, with every player on his last legs, this contribution is invaluable, and ultimately booked the Bulldogs their place in the grand final.
In the final match of the season, Boyd took it one step further. Playing in the forward line as Jordan Roughead reassumed ruck duties, Boyd took eight marks, six contested, en route to kicking three goals. The Bulldogs, in spite of their manic pressure around the ground, are not the reigning premiers without the aerial work of Tom Boyd in the final two games of the season.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
And Richmond, as they take on a potent Crows outfit, will need a Boyd-like performance from one of their taller players to end a 37-year premiership drought.
Alex Rance controls the air better than anyone in Richmond’s defence, whether it is through his elite intercept marking or by fisting the ball 12 rows into the seats. Ruckman Toby Nankervis is the best intercept marking ruckman in the game, but will need to apply his craft closer to Richmond’s goal. Given the aerial prowess of Sam Jacobs, Nankervis will have his work cut out for him on Saturday.
Jack Riewoldt will play a huge role in the grand final. Likely matched up with All Australian defender Daniel Talia, Riewoldt will be asked to provide a contest and hit the scoreboard to give the Tigers a chance. Otherwise, the Crows’ sturdy defence of Kyle Hartigan, Jake Lever, Jake Kelly and Rory Laird will dominate in the air and let the likes of David Mackay and Paul Seedsman loose on the MCG wings.
If Adelaide is able to prevent Richmond from taking contested marks, the Tigers’ menacing forward half pressure will count for naught, and the Crows will have completed the masterpiece the late Phil Walsh began.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
No we can't Doc.
The Doc
Roar Guru
Great piece Justin. I was hoping for rain as that negates some of the aerial importance but the forecast looks reasonable. The crows have brilliant foot skills and their ability to hit short targets is crucial to ball retention and moving the ball downfield when the defence is set. Richmond need to work hard to close this space down to force adelaide to kick long down the line or take bigger risks in hitting short targets - the ultimate test of skill in the furnace of a GF. I am Victorian but Aaree with Doctor Rotcod - stats should specify a pre-AFL period i.e. VFL and AFL. The change in professional, fairness, travel has been big not to mention the inclusion of multiple new teams means that are two different competitions rather than the complete continuation of the VFL. But from a club perspective Richmond havent won a trophy in 37 years (VFL/AFL) and i think it is fair to look it that way so long as it is mentioned that it is VFL/AFL stat.
Eddie Otto
Roar Guru
I am not a huge AFL fan would would love to the Tigers get up for their long suffering fans. Their song has to be the best in the business and to here that played after a Grand Final triumph would be special.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Can we see this from the perspective of the national competition, i.e. the AFL? The VFL ceased to be the premier league in Victoria in 1989.Therefore any and all teams in the Australian Football League which have not won a premiership since 1990 : GWS,Gold Coast,Fremantle,St Kilda,Melbourne and Richmond are all equally bereft of success. You can't have a 37 year AFL drought if you are forced to count VFL premierships to make it so.They are two different beasts.
Joe B
Guest
I can't decide what would be better; Richmond losing by 50+, or a kick after the siren.
JD
Guest
Say it ain't so. As a neutral, I am dying for a close grand final.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Yeah the Crows certainly peaked to early last week against the Cats.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
You've just had today off, ttf, while the rest of the country slaves away! Plus you get another one soon, just because a pack of horses are running in circles.
pioneer
Guest
Maybe not by that much, but Crows could win by as much as 70 or 80 points. MCG should be just about empty by the final siren.
Avatar
Roar Guru
Even though I have tipped the Adelaide Crows to win, this Grand Final could go either way. The Crows have been the team to beat this season by a country mile, and went 2-1-0 in their three matches at the MCG (wins against Hawthorn and Carlton, and the draw against Collingwood). And while they did beat the Tigers by 76 points at the Oval in round six, facing them at the G will be a different proposition altogether. I also think that all the pressure will be on Don Pyke's men for the sole reason that they are the favourites, as well as the fact that they will have to face a pro-Victorian crowd like the Sydney Swans did when they faced the Western Bulldogs in last year's decider. The one big stat in the Tigers' favour is that they haven't lost to the Crows at the G since mid-2008 (though they did lose to them at Etihad Stadium in round three last year). They've also had two finals wins at home, and this extra practice could swing things in their favour if it hasn't already. Anyone could win this - while I would love to see the Crows win, given the events of the past few years (players leaving, the salary cap scandal involving Kurt Tippett and the deaths of Dean Bailey and Phil Walsh), a Tiger win would be just as emotional given it would end a 37-year premiership drought.
Peter the Scribe
Guest
Game over by half time when Crows lead by 60+. Tiger faithful leave in third qtr. Final result Crows by 106.
Brayden Rise
Roar Pro
Very confident Swannies! For me when I look closely at the balance my team I just can't see how Richmond can beat us but only if we play at or near our best. We have a powerful story of our own after the tragedies that have hit our club in our recent past that should galvanise the group. Crows by 23.
truetigerfan
Guest
Tigers Saturday. Storm Sunday. What a weekend! If ya' boss doesn't give ya' Monday off, he's a bum! Carna Tiges! Go Storm! Victories for Victoria!
pioneer
Guest
I think Richmond has lost this one already... I reckon they played their grand final last week, and then they had the worry about Cotchin getting suspended, then the mardi gras of Martin winning the Brownlow, plus the Tiger fever that's hit Melbourne, and the sheer weight on the players' shoulders of being the ones with the chance of casting off all the bad history of Richmond, and not forgetting the pressure of the Richmond supporters - I think it'll all be too much for the Richmond players. I reckon the Crows will run right over the top of them.
Swannies
Guest
Richmond have this one won already...home ground, Dusty on fire and Cotchin captain courageous. Crows will suffer stage fright and have peaked too early. Tigers are cruising along and are going to end the 37 year drought with their best game on Saturday. Congratulations Tigers! A premiership at last!