Time right to step up
By RICHARD EARLE
Adelaide Advertiser
08jul06
TONIGHT'S meeting of aspirational Port Adelaide and Richmond at AAMI Stadium is more than an eight-point play, it's a fast forward ride to credibility.
The Tigers' 0-3 start to the year and Port's 2-6 record after eight games left little hint of the youth-inspired resurgence to follow.
Eighth-placed Richmond (7-6) will jettison Port (6-7) and consolidate its place in the eight with a win. Four crucial points would stoke a finals firestorm for ninth-ranked Port.
Usually, Port skipper Warren Tredrea and Richmond full forward Matthew Richardson dominate pre-game hype and supporter hope. Tredrea has been named to return after injuring his left knee against West Coast while veteran Richardson has been curiously named as an emergency after four weeks out with a broken wrist.
However, an even spread of players has emerged on both sides that will lock-horns and influence the outcome. Joel and Patrick Bowden and Andrew Raines have revived the Tigers rebounding backline. Half-forward Kayne Pettifer has matured, booting 23 goals and 196cm ruckman/forward Troy Simmonds has finally bloomed with 278 hit-outs and 16 goals this season.
Mercurial Nathan Brown provides the X-factor for the Tigers that Shaun Burgoyne and Danyle Pearce have supplied at Port over the past month. Richmond skipper Kane Johnson won't be far away from Port's newest on-ball jewel Burgoyne.
After quelling Daniel Kerr and Aaron Davey in successive weeks, Port's Jacob Surjan can expect a match-up with fellow young gun Brett Deledio.
Joel Bowden, who will attempt to cramp Tredrea's style, believes tonight's encounter will prove a definitive developmental exchange. "You are not going to get into the finals without beating good teams," he said. "We have to win games the experts tip us not to win and one of those games is this weekend against Port Adelaide."
Bowden said Richardson was anxious to front the Power - but the decision won't be left up to the dual All-Australian today.
"He is certainly keen to play. It's an issue of whether he feels he will get through and whether the medical staff will clear him," Bowden said.
"He is our most dynamic forward and we certainly want him up for the rest of the season. It's something they have to weigh up."
Richmond has scalped Collingwood and Adelaide this year. Port coach Williams duly understands the Tigers are now steeled to register their first win against the Power at AAMI Stadium.
"I was really impressed by the way they play. They are in very good form and will come here with a lot of confidence," Williams said.
Forward Damon White slots in for injured Chad Cornes and, together with Tredrea, should straighten Port's static forward entry exhibited in defeat to Melbourne last week.
Hit-outs to advantage provided by the Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan ruck tandem against gallant Simmonds should just give Port the edge.
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