The AFL website is tipping us to win
Preview: Essendon v RichmondBy Callum Twomey and Paul Daffey
Tue 15 May, 2012WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday May 19, 7.50pm
LAST TIME: Essendon 15.15 (105) d Richmond 9.12 (66), round 16, 2011 at the MCG
This might be the biggest Dreamtime at the 'G game in the concept's history, with both clubs clearly improving this year. Richmond looks dangerous after beating the Sydney Swans last week to make it two wins on the trot, and Essendon is in fine form after disposing of West Coast by 61 points at Etihad Stadium last week.
THE FOUR POINTS
ESSENDON1. Who goes out for Michael Hurley? Essendon's strength this year has been its evenness. And it was certainly the case against the Eagles last week, where every player contributed to the win. With Hurley due back from a hamstring injury, there will be one unlucky player who loses his place. It seems likely to be Jake Carlisle, but could also be Travis Colyer, who has had limited game time as substitute the past two weeks.
2. In their past six meetings, the Bombers and Tigers have swapped wins, with no club able to notch two consecutive victories over the other. Much like most rivalries, form seems to matter little in these contests, and even last year the Tigers beat the Bombers in round eight when James Hird's side was in fine form. We'll see what this chapter holds.
3. Who plays on Jack? Tigers' spearhead Jack Riewoldt is slowly getting back to his best form after a quiet start to the year, but has always played well against the Bombers, averaging almost three goals a game in each of his eight matches against Essendon. Cale Hooker seems most likely to match-up on Riewoldt, but late last year Hurley moved back and was best on ground in a defensive role. The Bombers could choose to do that again.
4. Leroy Jetta and Alwyn Davey have been in sparkling form in the last month, and have already combined for 25 goals this year. But as well as kicking goals the pair has formed one of the most dangerous duos deep in attack, with their tackling, smothering and general frantic pressure. If they can continue at the same level this weekend the Bombers will be a long way on their way to winning.
RICHMOND1. Hird and his Richmond counterpart Damien Hardwick were premiership teammates at Essendon in 2000. Their record in coaching against each other since Hird took over at Essendon before the 2011 season is 1-1. Given that both have put their teams in a position where they should play in finals in coming seasons, their rivalry shows every sign of growing. Perhaps they could coach for the Kevin Sheedy Cup.
2. After pushing Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong and West Coast early in the season, the Tigers needed to get over the line against a top team if they are to earn respect as a finals threat. With last week's defeat of Sydney Swans, a top four team, the Tigers achieved the most significant victory since Hardwick took over as Richmond before the 2010 season. A victory this week over Essendon would be an even bigger feather in the club's cap. Cock a doodle do!
3. One of the best stories to come out of Punt Rd this season has been the improvement of tall defender Dylan Grimes. Grimes was purely a negator during his debut season in 2011, using his reach and closing speed to punch the ball away from his more fancied opponents. This year he's added an attacking edge to his game, with intercept marks becoming something of a specialty. His opponent this week will be Stewart Crameri, Michael Hurley or Paddy Ryder. In Grimes's current form, none would hold any fears.
4. One of Richmond's great servants of its recent, inglorious era, Chris Newman, plays his 200th game this week. In the old terminology, Newman is a back pocket. In more current terms he's a playmaking defender, not that his ability to begin attacks from deep in defence has been properly recognised. Newman's profile has never been high despite the fact that he's been Richmond captain since 2008. He deserves every accolade this weekend.
AFL.com.au prediction: Richmond by four points http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/135884/default.aspx
