"I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THEIR PROFILE": HAVE THE TIGERS FALLEN BACK INTO THE PACK?By Nathan John
SEN
14 May 2021David King has pinpointed a worrying trend for Richmond in their quest for a rare three-peat.
The North Melbourne champion anticipates GWS could eclipse the reigning premiers on Saturday night.
Just over four per cent separates the pair, each with an even ledger through eight rounds, but believes they are going in different directions.
“The Tigers, when you look at their profile for the last three weeks…” King forewarned on SEN’s The Picks.
“(They’re) 18th in the competition for disposal differential, minus 76 on average. That’s a huge void.
“Contested possession they’re 15th, clearances they’re 16th, (and) for turning forward entries into goals they’re 18th.”
It is worth noting Damien Hardwick’s men have in recent years been prepared to sacrifice the source, building their irresistible momentum on intercepts.
Throughout their premiership era, the Tigers have ranked first (77.4, 2017), first (83, 2018), third (74.6, 2019) and first (63.7, 2020) for winning the ball from the opposition.
Over the last three games they have averaged just 71.7, which over this season would have them sandwiched between North Melbourne and Essendon in ninth.
“They have no intercept game over the last three weeks,” King went on.
“I’m really worried about their profile. If it wasn’t Richmond, you’d be saying ‘this team can’t win’.
“Because it’s Richmond, because they’ve been so good for the last few seasons, you give them an out.”
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/05/14/im-really-worried-about-their-profile-have-the-tigers-fallen-back-into-the/
