Richmond vs Port Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval - Elimination Final - Sun. 3.20pm EST

[one-eyed]

Tiger Army March in Adelaide

March as one to Adelaide Oval with the Tiger Army to get into the spirit of the big game.

Richmond members and supporters will start marching from the steps of the Adelaide Railway station from 1:30pm all the way to Adelaide Oval (approx 1.4km).

No need to register, just turn up on the day!

Tiger Army March:
1:30pm, Sunday, September 7
Starting from Adelaide Railway Station (near 125 North Terrace, Adelaide)

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Adelaide open training:
The next open training session will be at 1:30pm on Saturday, September 6 at Adelaide Oval. Due to a SANFL match being played fans are required to meet outside the East Gate at 1:15pm sharp, where they will be escorted into the stadium to watch training. 

There will be a barbecue for supporters outside East Gate (right near the Richmond merchandise) from approximately 12:45pm until all the fans are inside.

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For those in Melbourne, there will be a Live Site at Punt Rd:

Richmond’s elimination final blockbuster against Port Adelaide will be screened live at the ME Bank Centre this Sunday from 3pm.

Entry is a gold coin donation, with a portion of the proceeds going to Richmond’s charity partner, The Alannah and Madeline Foundation.  Access is via the Tigerland Superstore (off Brunton Ave) and gates will be open from 1pm.

Bring along a picnic rug or chair so you can enjoy the game on the oval, broadcast live via Channel 7 on a big screen with.

Food and drink will be available to purchase and the Tigerland Superstore will be open to purchase merchandise.

There will also be a kids’ zone and plenty of giveaways and fun for the whole family, as well as an allocated area where alcohol can be consumed.

Richmond live site:
Port Adelaide v Richmond
ME Bank Centre, Punt Road Oval
Sunday, September 7. Gates open at 1pm
Gold coin donation, food and drinks available
Parking available at Melbourne Park, enter via Olympic Boulevard

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2014-09-05/whats-on-for-finals

[one-eyed]

Maric in the Power's sights, says coach Hart

Steve Larkin, AAP 
September 6, 2014 12:39 PM


PORT Adelaide's taming of Tiger talisman Ivan Maric could decide Sunday's elimination final, the Power's director of coaching Shaun Hart says.

Maric monstered the rucks in Richmond's last gasp win against the Sydney Swans, recording 45 hits outs - 20 above his season average.

Hart says Maric's duel with Matthew Lobbe, who has been a pillar for Port, averaging almost 33 hit outs a game in a breakout year, will swing the Adelaide Oval knockout final.

The pair are bullish ruckman, preferring brute force to subtlety, and Hart says the Power are well aware of Maric's magnetism for the Tigers, who are hunting their first finals wins since 2001.

"Another enormous battle, no doubt about it," Hart told reporters on Saturday after Port's light match-eve training.

"That battle, and then what happens when the ball hits the ground off their hands, is an enormous battle.

"But he (Maric) is a real leader for them. Since he has come back, they have been a different team.

"Certainly you become aware of the players that really give energy and motivation and inspiration to their team. I think Ivan is one of those guys.

"That battle looms as a real focal point for the game."

Maric missed the initial ten games of the season with an ankle injury and his return was a key in Richmond's unheralded nine-game winning streak to steal into the finals.

The Richmond ruckman will meet a confident Lobbe who, like his Port teammates, is bubbling at the prospect of the cut-throat final.

"The mood is really buoyant, really up and about, and our group is really running well I reckon," Hart said.

"There is certainly no worries, no fears, about this game coming up in terms of just being able to compete and do their best. They're really quite energetic.

"The momentum is just right at the moment."

Port enter the finals as the league's second-highest scorers, having posted 90 or more points in 14 games this season, but Hart expected scores to drop by as much as 20 points in the eliminator.

"Both teams like to play quick football when they get the opportunity," he said.

"But certainly I look at Sydney and Richmond's game last week, it ended up  (with scores) in the 60s.

"Finals footy dictates that we're probably going to see 10 or 20 points less on average than what a home and away game might be between the two teams.

"We just have to make sure we maximise our opportunities on offence.

"And defensively you just have to be switched on ... if you're not, and holes open up, you become really vulnerable."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-09-06/power-target-tiger-talisman

[one-eyed]

The burning questions and the best analysis ahead of the Port Adelaide-Richmond elimination final

Bruce Matthews
Herald-Sun
September 06, 2014 8:00PM

BURNING QUESTIONS

1. Has Richmond the energy left to lift the workrate to finals intensity?

As coach Damien Hardwick pointed out, his Tigers have survived virtual elimination finals for the past five weeks. So pressure is not new to them.

That elimination final loss last year should ensure they won’t subconsciously slacken off, as if reaching the finals again is sufficient effort.

But the worry will be if they fall behind early and whether there are the mental reserves remaining to fight back yet again.


2. Are the Tigers better prepared to extend their finals campaign this time?

Aside from a near full-strength list, several players, such as Dustin Martin, Anthony Miles, Brandon Ellis, Ben Griffiths, Reece Conca and Nick Vlastuin are more mature and match hardened.

While there was never a question of midfield talent, there’s more grunt in there now. And a balance on each line with ruckman Ivan Maric, Alex Rance marshalling the defence and Jack Riewoldt presenting as a reliable forward target.


3. Is there an X-factor in Richmond’s line-up?

Hardwick admits he should never have left Nathan Foley out of the midfield group last September.

Foley’s work was often overlooked in the revival with the focus on vastly improved Miles at the centre bounces and stoppages, but he has the knack and experience to lead the critical contested-ball duels and provide supply for captain Trent Cotchin and his band.

Richmond dominated the contested possession 159-126 in the 20 points win against the Power in Round 17 and must at least finish ahead again if it hopes to advance deeper into the finals.

THE MATCH-UP

Jay Schulz v Alex Rance

Rance is in All-Australian contention and Schulz was right in line to win the Coleman Medal. What an appetising battle for supremacy if it eventuates with both combatants so strong in the overhead and strength marking duels.

Schulz managed only two goals against the Tigers last time, so Hardwick may have another assignment for his in-form tall backman.


THE FORM

Round 17

Richmond 19.12 (126) d. Port Adelaide 16.10 (106)

Goalkickers

Richmond: Lloyd 3, Riewoldt 3, Petterd 2, Chaplin 2, Vickery 2.

Port Adelaide: Gray 4, Broadbent 2, White 2, Schulz 2.

Best

Richmond: Miles, Cotchin, Deledio, Rance.

Port Adelaide: Boak, Gray, Cornes, Wines.

Never more than a couple of goals in it for the entire game at Etihad Stadium. Travis Boak was an inspiring Power skipper and Sam Lloyd bobbed up as the surprise on the Tigers’ scoresheet.

THE FACTS (powered by CHAMPION DATA)

PORT ADELAIDE

PORT Adelaide won three and lost six matches against top-eight sides this season. Richmond lost its first six matches against fellow finalists and won its next three.

THE Power has recorded an average time-in-forward-half differential of plus 10min 58sec per game this season, ranked No.1.

MATTHEW Broadbent has gained an average of 439m per game in 2014, the best at Port Adelaide.

THE Power have scored from 19 per cent of Jack Hombsch’s intercept possessions this year, ranked sixth of the top 25 intercept possession winners in the competition.

RICHMOND

RICHMOND has laid 63 tackles per game on average this season against top-eight sides, ranked 15th.

SINCE Round 15, Richmond has averaged 14 more contested possessions than its opponent per game, ranked No.2.

BRETT Deledio has averaged 26 disposals, 10 contested possessions, six inside 50s and four clearances per match in his past seven matches against the Power.

ALEX Rance has averaged eight intercept possessions per game this season, ranked No. 1 in the AFL.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/the-burning-questions-and-the-best-analysis-ahead-of-the-port-adelaiderichmond-elimination-final/story-fnelctok-1227050066928

[one-eyed]

The Opposition Analyst's view of Port Adelaide v Richmond

  The Opposition Analyst
    The Age
    September 7, 2014

Port Adelaide:

What Ken Hinkley wants

1. His team to continue to take the game on. Port Adelaide's best football has been played with an energy and the bravado of a young team with nothing to lose. The Power rank No.1 in the comp for play-on percentage. Now they are in an elimination final against an irresistible opponent. He will urge them to keep "going for it", as all-out attack may be the best defence against these Tigers.

2. Defenders who are prepared to defend and win their one-on-one battles. Richmond look much more dangerous with Ben Griffiths in tandem with Jack Riewoldt, as well as the more permanent forward pairing of Brett Deledio and the bullish Dustin Martin. The Port defenders will need to stay organised and play their most ruthless defence against these goal-scoring threats.

What Ken Hinkley doesn't want

1. His midfield to be uncompetitive. Last week against Fremantle the team conceded consecutive goals in the third quarter and with Richmond ranked No. 2 for  clearances, he will have put the acid on his midfielders to win the all-important "inside" battle.

Richmond:

What Damien Hardwick wants

1. A fast start. Richmond has led at quarter-time in eight of its nine consecutive wins and last week against the ladder leaders kicked 36 points unanswered. If they can repeat that dose they will go a fair way towards subduing the Port Adelaide faithful and the "Portress".

2. To control Port Adelaide's outside run. He knows they are playing a "high-voltage" running team who have significant ability to continue their outside run, right until the final siren. The best way to deny that run will be for Richmond to control possession and deny the Power the ball.

What Damian Hardwick doesn't want

His team running out of gas, emotionally. The Tigers have won nine straight and are the form team (along with Sydney) of the competition. They have successfully survived each game as a "mini-final" along the way and are full of confidence and self-belief. When the heat goes up, will they be able to maintain the rage?

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-opposition-analysts-view-of-port-adelaide-v-richmond-20140906-10cxap.html

[WA Tiger]

Well folks this is it, todays the day, redemption from last year...

[tony_montana]

Whose going?  At the airport this morning and it's full of tiger supporters.

[Willy]

Driving up. Tiger fans all along the road. Good to see.

[🏅Dooks]

Watching the game in Melbs following a cracking Fathers Day lunch.

I want to hear plenty of Tiger noise over the TV peoples!

LETS GET BIIIZZZAAAYYYY!!!!!!!!

[Andyy]

Left melbourne at midnight. Dad and I haven't slept. One hour from Adelaide having some breakfast.

Forgot my sunnies

[froars]

Go Tiges - wish I was there 

[mat073]

No one expected us to win 9 on the trot and make finals ....this is a free swing. ( much like Carlton last year)  We have Port Spooked.

[Chuck17]

Shops here don't open to 11am talk about sleepy hollow

[Eat_em_Alive]

Shops here don't open to 11am talk about sleepy hollow

Bogan hollow 

[tony_montana]

Shops here don't open to 11am talk about sleepy hollow

It's a joke, ghost town wandering around rundle mall with richmond supporters an the occasional local earlier lol

Ended up Driving down to glenelg for lunch

[Gigantor]

They used to say the same about Melbourne in the 1950s ,I think that why they filmed the 1957 movie "on the beach " here about the end of the world