Match Preview: Richmond v Fremantle5:05:20 PM Tue 12 April, 2005
Jennifer Witham
Exclusive to afl.com.au
RICHMOND v FREMANTLE
WHERE & WHEN: MCG, 2.10pm AEST, Channel Nine (W.A. only), Fox Footy, 3AW, ABC
HEAD TO HEAD: Richmond 9, Fremantle 6
LAST TIME: Fremantle 12.9 (81) d Richmond 10.11 (71), round 12 2004, at the MCG
THE MEDICAL ROOM: The Tigers had a costly day out against the Dogs in round three, with up-and-coming midfielder Brent Hartigan straining his hamstring, ruling him out for two to three weeks. Skipper Kane Johnson (heel) could make a return this week, as could exciting draft choice Richard Tambling (back) and Jay Schulz (ankle) - all of them set to undergo fitness tests later in the week. The Tigers will continue to miss the speed and agility of David Rodan (knee) in the midfield, with the on-baller out for the season after undergoing a full knee reconstruction. Meanwhile, Fremantle's Robert Haddrill (rolled ankle) may come up in time for this round four clash, the defender also awaiting a fitness test. Jarrad Schofield (back), Andrew Browne (hamstring soreness), David Mundy (knee), and Roger Hayden (leg) are all one week away from return, while Daniel Haines (foot) has to wait another nine.
THE STORY SO FAR: Richmond has been an inspired unit since breaking their massive 14-game losing streak in round two. All of a sudden, the Tigers have been reinvigorated at the hands of their new coach Terry Wallace, Matthew Richardson has found the goals again to become the only main forward to be making significant scoring impacts, and the Tigers have something they were so desperately lacking in 2004 - self belief. Fremantle has continued to be an unpredictable side, knocking off reigning premiers Port Adelaide in round one, only to lose their following two matches – letting the premiership points slip away both times.
THE WHITEBOARD: With Richardson playing like a changed man, the contest between him and Fremantle full-back Graham Polak is one worth mentioning. While Richo was the leading goal kicker for the Tigers last week and arguably the best on ground, he will want to pinpoint his accuracy for this clash. The Carr brothers for Fremantle had effective presence in round three, and a bag of effective mid-field possessions and scoring conversions could seriously help the Dockers. Matthew Pavlich booted two majors last week, and a significant performance in attack will be essentially what Freo need, against the Richmond defence of Darren Gaspar and Mark Graham. Skipper Peter Bell will need to inspire the team to get up after two loses that shouldn't have happened, and it will be a great feat to get them to fire interstate.
THE VERDICT: Richmond is on a roll. While the players could still lose their heads and get caught up in the sweet smell of success, it won't be this week when they host the Dockers in Melbourne. Last year, the Dockers proved that they can win away from Perth - but with an unstable record so far and two losses echoing in their minds, they will be returning to home with yet another defeat to their names. Richmond by 20 points.
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