Tigers out to break Dogs' AFL streakSam Lienert
May 12, 2011 - 5:04PM
AAPRichmond believe the confidence gained from their runaway AFL win over Fremantle will help as they seek their first victory over the Western Bulldogs in six years.
Form suggests the Tigers have a big chance, entering Sunday's Etihad Stadium clash on a three-match winning streak.
The Bulldogs have had three straight losses and are struggling with injury and fitness problems in defence.
But Richmond assistant coach Wayne Campbell said there would be no underestimating an opponent which had handed them seven beatings, most by big margins, mixed with one draw, since the Tigers last downed them in early 2005.
"The last three weeks it's gone our way, but we're coming up against a side that's played three (preliminary finals) in a row and we've finished 15th or 16th, so it's certainly a huge game," Campbell said.
But he acknowledged the Tigers would take plenty of belief from their 49-point win over the Dockers, when they kicked 23.10 (148), their biggest score since 2008.
"Certainly you need some positive feeling from what you're doing at training and then you're putting that in place in a game," Campbell said.
"You get some confirmation against a really good side in Freo when you win the game, so it becomes a little bit self fulfilling. We hope that happens again this Sunday."
The spread of 10 goal-kickers particularly delighted the Tigers, with Robin Nahas starring with 30 touches and four goals in a career-best game, while young tall forward Ty Vickery's three majors was a career high.
Campbell said Nahas was reaping the benefits of a hard-working summer of training.
"The penny dropped with him over the pre-season that he had one more year to establish himself as an AFL footballer. He worked as hard as he's ever worked in his life," he said.
Vickery could benefit on Sunday from a spate of injuries which have robbed the Dogs of height in defence.
"Certainly Ty's been progressing pretty well. Hopefully, he kicksa couple of goals this weekend," Campbell said.
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