After the 27-point defeat of Brisbane, who were then the ladder leaders, the Richmond Tigers look likely to carry their form into September.
After Alex Rance’s ACL injury after Round 1 and Tom Lynch’s poor form after recovering from a PCL injury from 2018, many critics were writing Richmond off, saying they were no chance to make the top four, let alone have a chance at premiership success.
But after bringing in first-year revelations, like Sydney Stack, who went down with an ankle injury in the VFL last week, along with several others, Richmond have cemented their depth as among the best in the AFL. Even without the irreplaceable experience of so many senior players missing through injury the Tigers have found a way to finish in the top four. Moreover, Richmond has a nine-match win streak for the tenth time in the club’s history, no bad thing going into the finals.
Although winning nine games in a row, Richmond now faces the hard task playing Brisbane again in two weeks’ time at the Gabba. The crowd will be full of hopeful Brisbane supporters willing their team to their first finals win since 2009.
Despite the tough task of winning away in Queensland, the Tiger army will be hopeful their defensive system, which has thrived with no injuries to defenders since the bye, will stand up, just as it did last week. They’ll rely on outstanding performances from the ever-reliable Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlaustin, who have stood up in the absence of All Australian captain Alex Rance, making Richmond the best defence since the bye, keeping teams to low scores while improving their percentage by 18.4 per cent.
Season 2019 has been a roller-coaster for the Richmond Football Club, with major injuries to experienced players like Alex Rance and Jack Riewoldt and with Trent Cotchin suffering constant hamstring issues, but since the bye they’ve been the form team of the competition and seem destined to take home the flag.
But will their team be able to withstand other suddenly in-form teams like Geelong and Collingwood? We will see next week when Richmond take on a well-oiled and resurrected Brisbane side on a Saturday night thriller at the Gabba.
Bruce
Guest
Yeh they'll be very hard to stop. Win or lose their QF, after that they don't leave the G.
RT
Roar Rookie
Same, but agree good to see West Coast in the bottom half of the top 8.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Interesting to see the result this time. If you make it. If we make it. I was looking forward to you finishing fourth and playing us. Probably better that the Weagles were banished.
RT
Roar Rookie
I watched the replay and even the commentators were shocked late in the last quarter when they heard Neale was up to 47 touches. They all agreed that Dusty had a greater impact.
RT
Roar Rookie
They were all first 22 at the time, you can't dismiss Astbury on one match months later. Nank can't get back in the side due to lack of match time after injury and also because of the improvement of others, but at the time he was no doubt a significant out.
Graeme
Guest
Eagles are gone. If they had of made the top 4, I would call them favourites. The travel in such a competitive season has worn them down. They will come hard after the bye but winning 3 in a row on the road is almost impossible against equal strength opposition. Going with form and travel factors almost nullified Bulldogs and Richmond look the goods. Pies are stronger with Mason Cox inured and have a great midfield but cannot win with the Buckley curse. Geelong will be done for pace.
Realist
Guest
@Jacuzzi :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
tigers are going to be hard to stop from here.the dogs could go as far prelim final.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Forget Rance, not coming back. Nankervis is so significant, he can’t get back in the side. Ellis didn’t get back. Astbury was third bottom player for you last week. Short and lambert are OK. Riewoldt is more than OK. That leaves 3 significant players. Not that your making excuses.
Bruce
Guest
Everyone loves roasted lamb
Bruce
Guest
Haha. Ok fair enough. I'm not that familiar with Richmonds list. Good luck with the finals!!
Phil McCavity
Roar Rookie
I think Dusty got more coaches votes. Just saying that Dusty seemed to have more impact. 51 touches are great, if they contribute to an outcome.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Love these people that try and talk down 51 touches
Realist
Guest
Sadly :unhappy:
Realist
Guest
Rance, Astbury, Short, Lambert, Riewoldt, Ellis, Nankervis.....Yeah, no-one out really! :unhappy:
Realist
Guest
I agree Phil. Also, the Lions players constantly feed Neil, whereas Dusty gets possessions & goals that no other player could possibly manufacture. He's a finals player and he's switched on and raring to go.
Realist
Guest
Sadly. :laughing:
Phil McCavity
Roar Rookie
Pete, I thought Dusty’s 21 touches were far more impactful than Lachie’s 51.
Peter Warrington
Guest
it's not a s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-single bed....
Bruce
Guest
Riewoldt was the big out. Astbury was out and Ellis was out? Who else other than Rance was out? They weren't that depleted iirc.