Richmond Tigers vs Hawthorn Hawks: AFL qualifying final highlights, live scores, blog

The Richmond Tigers and Hawthorn Hawks meet in the AFL’s first qualifying final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:20pm (AEST).

The Tigers return to their happy hunting ground to begin another finals campaign. After so many years in the wilderness, the prospect of back-to-back premierships is looking likely and the yellow and black have continued to be the benchmark this season.

Hawthorn takes their position in this game after muscling their way to a somewhat unexpected fourth place on the ladder. With some shrewd recruiting and trading, the Hawks have managed to avoid a lengthy period of rebuild after moving on some of their stars over the last few years.

Not many would have seen the recovery occurring so quickly and efficiently yet the old heads in the team have gelled with some superb young talent and Alastair Clarkson has his team poised for another run at the flag.

Both teams play this ground well, although Richmond have owned the venue outright for around 18 months. With solid form leading into the finals series and a week to rest, recuperate and prepare, there should be fireworks from the outset.

The Hawks welcome back James Sicily, James Frawley and Johnathon Ceglar to the team while Brandon Ellis unluckily misses out for the Tigers, making room for Kane Lambert.

The Tigers have broken the backs of their challengers this season. Many sides have managed to compete for long periods yet Richmond’s front-half pressure and resilience eventually destroys opponents. Hawthorn will once again attempt to possess and move the ball by foot, avoiding the manic nature of the Richmond defence.

Thus, the game will be won and lost. The battle lines will be clear and the game styles laid out against each other. Will the Richmond machine ruffle the measured and controlled kicking poise of the Hawks?

Prediction
While the early exchanges in this match could suggest a close affair, Richmond will prove too powerful once the game does settle into a rhythm. The Tigers are just too strong across all lines to be dissected by Hawthorn and should win by around five goals.

Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 7.20pm (AEST).

Game information

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Opening bounce: 7.20pm (AEST)
TV: Live, Fox Footy, Seven Network
Betting: Richmond $1.37, Hawthorn $3.10

Teams

Richmond
B: D. Astbury, A. Rance, D. Grimes
HB: J. Short, N. Vlastuin, B. Houli
C: S. Grigg, T. Cotchin, K. McIntosh
HF: D. Rioli, S. Edwards, J. Castagna
F: J. Riewoldt, D. Martin, J. Caddy
R: T. Nankervis, J. Graham, D. Prestia
Interchange: N. Broad, J. Higgins, K. Lambert, R. Conca

Hawthorn
B: J. Impey, B. Stratton, J. Sicily
HB: R. Henderson, J. Frawley, B. Hardwick
C: J. Gunston, T. Mitchell, S. Burgoyne
HF: R. Burton, J. Roughead, I. Smith
F: L. Breust, B. McEvoy, P. Puopolo
R: J. Ceglar, J. O’Meara, J. Worpel
Interchange: R. Schoenmakers, H. Morrison, L. Shiels, C. Nash