The Barometer - Round 8Herald-Sun
May 18, 2015RICHMOND
ON THE BLOCK: First-gamers Liam McBean (subbed off at three-quarter time) and Connor Menadue (subbed on) got a taste of AFL action but might go back to the VFL next week. Steve Morris was barely sighted on Sunday but we’ve put him in here most weeks this year and the coach hasn’t budged so don’t expect that to change.
ON THE CUSP: Ben Griffiths, who didn’t quite come up from concussion, and Shane Edwards, a late withdrawal, should come in - probably for McBean and Menadue. Matt McDonough was the clear standout in the VFL with 30 touches and three goals. Reece Conca was very busy and will be considered after working his way back from hamstring problems. Sam Lloyd and Nathan Gordon each kicked two goals but will have to wait.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: Punt Rd is a much happier place this week after a fantastic win releases the pressure valve on Damien Hardwick and his players. And what looked like a horror draw suddenly might not be so bad, with next week’s opponent Port Adelaide in a hole and Essendon (the week after) looking a long way off the team that defeated Hawthorn in Round 2. All three teams are 3-4 - the ladder is about to be shaped significantly. If the Tigers’ top tier - Cotchin, Deledio, Riewoldt, Maric - play like they did against the Pies, Richmond could go into its Round 11 bye on top of that bunch. But that’s a big if. And first the Tigers have to erase the memory of last year’s elimination final debacle. Kicking with the wind to start with might help.
http://www.news.com.au/national/adelaide-crows-injury-woes-fremantle-wake-up-call-in-round-7-the-barometer/story-e6frfkp9-1227358834113
