The Barometer - Round 8Herald-Sun
9 May 2016RICHMONDON THE BLOCK: On the block? How about everyone? The coaches are, the players are and the recruiters are. Damien Hardwick described a 46-point loss to Hawthorn — the Tigers’ sixth consecutive defeat — a step forward, which tells you everything. Jake Batchelor looked like he might add to the list of absentees when he left the ground with a knee injury, but was able to return soon after.
ON THE CUSP: Thankfully, there’s a returning cast on the horizon. Alex Rance is back from suspension, Dylan Grimes will be back from a hamstring injury and skipper Trent Cotchin told a pre-match function on Friday night he would play — a statement later validated by Hardwick. Will be intriguing to see whether Ivan Maric returns after being dropped for the Hawks, as was David Astbury. Both played in the club’s VFL loss to Port Melbourne, but neither set the world on fire.
SAM EDMUND’S FORECAST: There will be no Leicester miracle for Richmond. Now a miserable 1-6 and miles from where it expected to be, it comes up against a rampant Sydney at the MCG. The Tigers have won their last two against the Swans, but had also won three of the last four against Hawthorn and what did that count for? Tried to get away its stodgy ball movement ways against the Hawks and looked noticeably quicker with the ball. But that was offset by the fact they conceded 21 goals, nine in the last quarter and 12 of the last 15. It’s hard to be a glass half-full when your glass is empty.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/footy-form/barometer-afl-injury-list-selection-analysis-ahead-of-round-8/news-story/c1e6ef0ec314df64be4911c2ebe76866