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Anyway back to the topic - the AFL site is tipping us by 5 goals...
Preview: Richmond v Gold CoastBy Paul Daffey and Michael Whiting
10/07/2012WHERE AND WHEN: Cazaly’s Stadium, Saturday, July 14, 4.40pm
LAST TIME: Gold Coast 12.13 (85) d Richmond 9.16 (70), round 17, 2011 at Cazaly’s Stadium
Richmond is one of five teams with a 7-7 record, stretching from St Kilda in eighth spot down to Fremantle in 13th. If the Tigers are to justify the bullish predictions about their finals chances, they really have to wallop strugglers like Gold Coast. The Suns are winless, but last week’s 14-point loss to Geelong sends some hope that a win might be on the horizon.
THE FOUR POINTS
Richmond1. The Tigers were embarrassed by last year’s 15-point loss to Gold Coast. Conditions were windy, especially for footballers from Melbourne clubs who usually play at the MCG and Etihad Stadium, but that was no excuse. However, the Tigers were a young team and young teams have hiccups, but that won’t cut it if it happens again.
2. Richmond did well to defeat Melbourne by 23 points last week despite bringing seven players into the team that had lost the previous match to Adelaide. The Tigers showed a lack of cohesion against the Demons, which was understandable given the scale of the influx, but the cohesion should be better this week, and all those who got their chances against Melbourne will again be striving to impress.
3. Defender-cum-forward Luke McGuane made a good fist of saving his spot on the Tigers’ list with his performance against Melbourne. He had 13 disposals and kicked two goals, including a curling effort from the boundary, but the most impressive aspect of his game was the fact that he was an aerial threat. McGuane still has a way to go to retain his spot, but he made a step forward last week, and must repeat his efforts this round.
4. Bad kicking threatened to be costly against Melbourne last week, when the Tigers kicked 13.22 (101) in an inexplicably poor display in front of goal. It was a perfect winter’s day, after all. The worst offender last week was Jack Riewoldt, who kicked 1.5, while Shaun Grigg and Shane Edwards missed goals from the edge of the goalsquare. Expect a more vigilant approach to goalkicking this week.
Gold Coast1. After starting him in defence this season, running him through the midfield and dropping him to reserves, coach Guy McKenna seems to have found the right home for Jared Brennan. The versatile Brennan was lively across half-forward against Geelong last week, and although unable to convert on the scoreboard, provided a target and contest so often lacking the season.
2. It's a problem that has dogged Gold Coast for much of its early existence - putting four consistent quarters together. The Suns showed against Geelong their best football was good enough to compete with the best, but with Richmond mindful of last year's upset, they will not be let off the hook in Cairns with any sub-par quarters. One positive for the Suns last week was winning just their second final quarter for the season.
3. With 23 touches in his return from a fractured elbow, Jarrod Harbrow brought much-needed run-and-carry back to the Suns. Along with Campbell Brown and Michael Rischitelli adding some punch after recovering from injury, the older heads showed just what a difference they can make. It's their job to again lead from the front against the Tigers.
4. Staring down the barrel of 22 straight losses, the next five rounds offer some hope for the Suns. Following the Tigers, they host the Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans, travel to play Melbourne and then return to Metricon Stadium to play fellow expansion team GWS.
AFL.com.au prediction: Richmond by 29 pointshttp://www.afl.com.au/tabid/16931/Default.aspx#fixtureid=7789&tab=Preview
