The Barometer - Finals Week OneHerald-Sun
September 8, 2015RICHMONDON THE BLOCK: The Tigers have maintained a settled line-up for most of the second half of the season and that is set to continue. If there is a change, usual suspects Sam Lloyd and Ben Lennon — who copped the green and red vests on Friday night — are the most likely to miss out.
ON THE CUSP: If Reece Conca proves his fitness it will give selectors a dilemma. He’s part of the best 22 but has played only two games this season so it would be a big call to bring him back for a final. The likes of Matt Thomas, Liam McBean, Matt Dea and Chris Knights are training in the hope of a promotion, but it’s only likely to happen in the event of injury. The one who could get the call from Damien Hardwick is Steve Morris, who would die on the MCG to help Richmond get to the second week.
AL PATON’S FORECAST: It’s just the third time since 2000 a team has won 15 games and missed the top four (one of the others was the Tigers in 2013 — is fifth-mond the new ninth-mond?). But the gap between fifth and eighth is wafer thin. Can’t read anything into Friday night’s win, although it at least snapped a five-game losing streak against the Roos. But the Tigers can’t get caught up in psychological battles. The focus will be on sticking to the plan that won 15 games this year. Ivan Maric needs to play the game of his life against Todd Goldstein and the midfielders have to avoid bombing the ball on Jack Riewoldt’s head to provide easy pickings for Robbie Tarrant and Lachie Hansen.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/the-barometer-isaac-smith-kieren-jack-set-to-miss-but-nat-fyfe-back-for-week-1-finals-2015/story-fnp04d70-1227515917182