Preview: West Coast v RichmondAlex Malcolm
afl.com.au
July 22, 2014 8:03 PMTHESE two teams have underperformed this year and this game is an important test as both are trying to prove they are improving late in the season. The Tigers beat Port Adelaide impressively before the bye while the Eagles outlasted the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. The Tigers stunned West Coast at Patersons Stadium last year, kicking six goals to none in the second term to set-up a 41-point win. The Eagles will have the added motivation of Dean Cox's looming retirement. Both sides have struggled in key indicators this year. Both teams are ranked in the bottom eight for inside 50s, tackles and contested possessions this season>
WHERE AND WHEN: Patersons Stadium, Friday July 25, 6.40pm AWST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R10, 2013, Richmond 16.7 (103) d West Coast 8.14 (62) at Patersons Stadium
R5, 2012, West Coast 16.11 (107) d Richmond 14.13 (97) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2011, West Coast 22.15 (147) d Richmond 14.6 (90) at Patersons Stadium
R12, 2010, Richmond 19.12 (126) d West Coast 11.11 (77) at MCG
R22, 2009, West Coast 17.23 (125) d Richmond 6.9 (45) at Patersons Stadium
THE SIX POINTS1. Richmond defeated West Coast at Patersons Stadium last year but it was a rare win at the venue. The sides have met 16 times there with the Eagles winning 13.
2. Both the Eagles and the Tigers have struggled taking the ball inside 50 this year. West Coast is ranked 14th in the AFL and Richmond 15th. Both are averaging just 49 entries per game.
3. Richmond has been a poor tackling side this year, ranked 16th with an average of 64.2 per game. West Coast are ranked 12th at 68 per game.
4. Tigers star forward Jack Riewoldt has enjoyed playing West Coast kicking 25 goals in eight games. He has kicked four or more three times including a club record haul of 10 in 2010 at the MCG.
5. Richmond has really struggled in contested possession in 2014. The Tigers are ranked 17th with an average of 134.2. West Coast is ranked 13th at 140.4 per game.
6. Neither team has a player ranked in the top 40 of the Official AFL Player Ratings. Nic Naitanui (41st) is the highest ranked Eagle but has dropped outside the top 40 for the first time since round 10, 2012. Brett Deledio is the highest ranked Tiger at 53.
Prediction: West Coast by six pointshttp://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-07-22/preview-west-coast-v-richmond