Richmond vs Brisbane - Round 20, 2013

[one-eyed]

Remember the 'old' days when we use to say before playing a top 8 side it would be a good test to see where we are at  . Now we've become the litmus test it seems for other clubs  to measure up to  .


Brisbane Lions want to roar like Tigers

    Fairfax media
    August 7, 2013 - 10:45AM

The improving Brisbane Lions are eying in-form Richmond as a valuable litmus test for their AFL finals potential.

Brisbane appear just out of finals reckoning with four rounds left this season, but milestone man Daniel Merrett says an upset over the Tigers on Saturday would highlight their top-eight credentials for 2014.

Merrett hopes to celebrate his 150th game with a rare MCG win over Richmond, who he sees as a year or two ahead of the young Lions in development terms.

Richmond (12-6) are preparing for their first September campaign in 12 years following a 41-point thumping of Hawthorn but the Lions (8-10) are also in good form with four wins from their past five matches.

"The last few years they've been a few spots ahead of us on the ladder but we haven't beaten them for ages so it's a massive test for us to see if can we maybe make the step up next year, to that next group," Merrett said on Wednesday.

"We'll be on the MCG in front of a big crowd and they're up and about.

"They've been a developing team over the last few years and have come out of the blocks and smashed us early."

Brisbane last beat the Tigers in 2009, the only season in Michael Voss's five-year tenure the Lions have made the finals, and suffered an eight-goal Gabba thumping this time last year.

Merrett must step into injured co-captain Jonathan Brown's boots as the prime spearhead on Saturday as his career has turned full circle.

The 28-year-old debuted as a power forward under Leigh Matthews in 2005 before making his mark as a hard-nosed full-back.

The flexible Merrett is resigned to finishing his career in the forward line and eventually taking over from Brown, who turns 32 in October.

"The back line are doing a good job and they don't need me any more," he said.

Brisbane hope to have both Simon Black (groin) and Brent Moloney (hamstring) back from injuries to take on the highly-skilled Tigers midfield but Voss won't take any risks.

"What this game does demand is that you are absolutely 100 per cent fit and your capacity to play 120 minutes of football is paramount," he said.

Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/afl-news/brisbane-lions-want-to-roar-like-tigers-20130807-2rert.html#ixzz2bFlYb0XG

[tiger101]

From Merretts quotes it sounds like they are using this game as barometer for their credentials for a finals challenge next year. We will need to turn up and get on top early we can't give teams like this a sniff of victory or in the case of their come back against Geelong a chance of fighting back.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/brisbane-lions-want-to-roar-like-tigers-20130807-2rert.html

[Stripes]

From Merretts quotes it sounds like they are using this game as barometer for their credentials for a finals challenge next year. We will need to turn up and get on top early we can't give teams like this a sniff of victory or in the case of their come back against Geelong a chance of fighting back.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/brisbane-lions-want-to-roar-like-tigers-20130807-2rert.html

This won't be an easy game. They will throw everything at us and keep fighting the whole game expecting us to fold. Really need to control the play and spread the scoring load as Merrett is a very good backman. We should do it and win easily but only if we treat this game with the same respect we did with last weeks game.

[one-eyed]

Yarra Park closure - August 9 and 10
mcg.org.au
Aug 07, 2013

Due to its wet condition, Yarra Park will not be used for public vehicle parking this weekend. This includes Saturday's Richmond-Brisbane Lions AFL match at the MCG.

The MCC encourages patrons to use public transport where possible.

Anyone driving to the MCG should seek an alternative parking area in Melbourne's CBD and surrounding inner suburbs.

http://www.mcg.org.au/News/News/2013/August/Parking%20Closure.aspx

[one-eyed]

Preview: Richmond v Brisbane
Ronny Lerner
Sportal
Last Updated 08/08/2013

WE THINK:
The Tigers might be riding high following the finest win of their 2013 campaign but they have to ensure they quickly adjust their focus to their upcoming task. The Lions have shown on numerous occasions this year that they are a hard nut to crack and, while they may be sitting in 12th spot right now, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick will be well aware that Brisbane's best footy has been capable of bringing down premiership fancies Geelong. The Lions are also enjoying the best form of their season and if not for a close loss to Port Adelaide in Round 18, could very well be in the midst of a five-game winning streak.

Brisbane lose Brown, but could very well bolster their midfield with Moloney and Black, which would be much-needed given the incredible performance of Richmond's engine room last week to help smash Hawthorn in clearances (54-36) and contested possessions (147-114). Any hint of complacency against the plucky Lions could bring about Richmond's downfall, but the Tigers have too much to play for to let this one slip. They're on the verge of their first finals appearance in 12 years and their determination to ensure that becomes confirmed sooner rather than later should see them pass this tricky encounter against the Lions. Richmond by 27 points.

Read the full preview here: http://www.sportal.com.au/cricket/news/preview-richmond-v-brisbane-247222

[one-eyed]

VIDEO: Richo and Brendon Lade preview the game against Brisbane ...

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2013-08-08/spotlight-on-round-20

[cub]

So confident it's not funny, we are guns!

[one-eyed]

Tigers aim to clinch AFL finals spot
9 Aug 2013, 8:03 pm   
Source: AAP/SBS


Richmond are chasing their 13th AFL win in Saturday's clash with Brisbane in a game that could seal the Tigers' place in the finals.

Saturday's AFL round 20 clash between Richmond and Brisbane should be the moment the Tigers confirm their first finals appearance since 2001, but it could also provide a glimpse of a new era for the Lions.

Seventh-placed Richmond (12-6 win-loss), after upsetting ladder leaders Hawthorn last week, will send a dazzling array of midfield talent into battle against Brisbane (8-10).

Asked about the likes of Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Brett Deledio, Brisbane onballer Daniel Rich admitted it was more a case of trying to contain the damage.

"They're all very good players," Rich told reporters on Friday.

"You can't stop them all.

"You only have to look to last week and it shows they've been playing good footy.

"It's going to be a huge game for us."

Rich says there's no escaping the sense of excitement at Tigerland.

"You always hear those types of things and hear a bit of a buzz but I suppose the old saying is we can only look after our own back yard and play how we want to play," Rich said.

Richmond named Robin Nahas to replace Shane Edwards (hamstring) who pulled out of Thursday's selected side and ruck/forward Ty Vickery comes in for Orren Stephenson.

The Lions have been rocked by the news 31-year-old forward Jonathan Brown may have played his last game after suffering a foot injury in last week's win over St Kilda.

Brisbane recalled ex-Demon Stefan Martin to play his fifth game for the club and first since round four.

Martin has overcome ankle and hamstring injuries. The 27-year-old returns alongside Ryan Lester and Brent Moloney in place of Mitch Golby (suspended), Brown and Rohan Bewick (omitted).

Martin has been named at centre-half forward and says he's keen to repay his new club's faith in him.

"We all know he (Brown) is not going to be there forever so it gives an opportunity for someone else to be able to play in a game like this, so it's an exciting time on the other hand," Rich said.

Rover Tom Rockliff had 39 disposals against the Saints while Matthew Leuenberger is third in the league for hit-outs.

Brisbane have won four of their past five games and Rich says Rockliff's form over the past month has been superb.

Leuenberger, described by Rich as a superstar player, will take on Richmond's Ivan Maric in a crucial midfield battle in the MCG clash.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1798572/Tigers-aim-to-clinch-AFL-finals-spot

[one-eyed]

Dayne Zorko says Brisbane Lions must embrace challenge of playing at MCG against Richmond

    Elyse Perrau
    The Courier-Mail
    August 09, 2013 12:49PM

BRISBANE forward Dayne Zorko says the Lions must embrace the rare opportunity to play at the MCG to have any hope of beating finals-bound Richmond tomorrow.

The Lions will make their only trip to the home of football this year to face the in-form Tigers, who have excelled on the hallowed turf in 2013.

Richmond has won seven of its 10 MCG matches this season, including its past five at the venue which include victories against Hawthorn, Fremantle and Adelaide.

Zorko kicked three goals in his MCG debut in Round 12 last year against Hawthorn. Brisbane have lost eight of their past 10 outings at the ground, but Zorko said the venue should hold no fears for any ambitious footballer.

“It can be potentially daunting but the MCG is the greatest place to play I reckon, and it is a great opportunity for all of us,” Zorko said.

The Lions must contain Richmond's powerhouse midfield of Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley and Dustin Martin if they are to have any chance claiming their first win against the Tigers since 2009.

Even though Brisbane is out of the finals race, Zorko said the Lions had plenty to play for.

"We don’t treat every game like a final, but the boys realise the importance of the games from here on in,’’ he said.

"We just take it one week at a time, and this week Richmond will be a massive task so we just need to focus on that."

Read more: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dayne-zorko-says-brisbane-lions-must-embrace-challenge-of-playing-at-mcg-against-richmond/story-fndv8d6r-1226694171747#ixzz2bURTS2Y7

[mightytiges]

The main danger today is complacency after a big win last week. I hope we don't fall into our usual habit of playing to the level of our opposition even when we are playing a bottom 8 side .

[Eat_em_Alive]

The main danger today is complacency after a big win last week. I hope we don't fall into our usual habit of playing to the level of our opposition even when we are playing a bottom 8 side .

  I think that will happen today
Great weather today so im hoping we can bring our A game

[Rampstar]

suns out today looks like a nice day to go to the footy. we should get a big crowd and a nice 8 goal win.

[gerkin greg]

Mentally weak and don't deserve it

Lions 4 the win

[Rampstar]

Mentally weak and don't deserve it

Lions 4 the win

your shtting me with your trolling today cucumber. your either with us or your against us. pick a side pickled one

[gerkin greg]

Which side is the one where I have to bag out our players, like Nahas? For or against