Stage set for belting clashMercury
June 1, 2016THE stars are aligning on Friday night for one of the most exciting and significant events in Hobart’s sporting history.
North Melbourne, at its home away from home at Blundstone Arena, takes on Richmond in one of the biggest, most anticipated clashes of the AFL season.
Preliminary finalists for the past two seasons, the Kangaroos’ premiership window is wide open. The playing list is in its prime. If anything, it is a little on the “old” side when 38-year-old, 400-game veteran Brent Boomer Harvey is factored into the equation.
Key players such as Nick Dal Santo, 32, Drew Petrie, 33, Jarrad Waite, 33, and Daniel Wells, 31, are all in the twilight of their AFL careers. Anything less than a Grand Final appearance this season would be rated by many commentators as a failure for the Kangas. Expectations are high, and so far the Roos have delivered.
In the other corner is Richmond; the perennial AFL also-rans. The Tigers have for the past few seasons promised the world only to let their fans down at critical hurdles when the most is at stake.
There is no denying the talent on the Tigers’ list, with the likes of Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt, Brett Deledio and Alex Rance all AFL stars in their own right.
So impressed by the list, some commentators had Richmond breaking into the top four and challenging for a flag this season. However, frustratingly as usual, the Tiges crumbled under the pressure of those expectations and started the season appallingly.
In recent weeks the Tigers of old have resurfaced and again their fans are looking at finals.
Friday night is crucial for both clubs.
If the Tigers manage to get over the top of North, there will be no stopping them as a contender for the finals. If North triumphs, its credentials will further strengthen as a potential flag threat.
Both teams need to prove they are the real deal.
The weather for Hobart is forecast to be sunny and dry, but hamstring-snappingly cold.
When these two sides hit their straps, they are two of the most ferocious contested-ball teams in the competition. When they bring their A-grade game, they are two of the most skilful in the league.
All these questions, excitingly for Tasmanian AFL fans, will be answered at Blundstone Arena in the historic first big league game under the lights at the relatively new, boutique venue.
The weather for Hobart is forecast to be sunny and dry, but hamstring-snappingly cold.
The game at Blundstone last year between the Tigers and Kangas drew a record crowd of 17,554.
Expectations are high that this week that record will fall, and so it should. There is good reason for Tassie footy fans to be out in force for their first taste of Friday night AFL footy.
Bring it on.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-stage-set-for-belting-clash/news-story/17e4bed425b4209e7c8903895e561db4
