Why Freo-Richmond will all come down to the stoppagesShayne Hope
West Australian
13 May2017Fremantle’s stoppage-reliant attack faces one of its biggest tests of the season against a vastly improved Richmond defensive system at the MCG on Sunday.
Champion Data statistics reveal the Dockers have kicked 48 per cent of their score from stoppages this year, amounting to an average of 39 points a game.
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The figures indicate a far greater dependence on that scoring avenue than any other side in the competition this season.
In generating scores, Fremantle have leaned heavily on the contested work of captain Nat Fyfe, whose clearances have led to a team-high average of 9.4 points a game.
Lachie Neale (7.4), David Mundy (3.3) and Michael Walters (2.6) will also be looked to in that department against Richmond, while hamstrung midfielder Stephen Hill (7.4) will be missed.
The ruck battle between Dockers giant Aaron Sandilands and Richmond’s Toby Nankervis, who returns from a one-match suspension, will be crucial in giving their midfielders first use.
Richmond have tightened up significantly in several key defensive areas this season and are well prepared to shut down one of Fremantle’s greatest strengths.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon discusses one of the game's biggest asks.
The Tigers are rated second hardest in the competition to score against from stoppages after seven rounds, conceding just 26 points a game from that source.
A lot of their improvement can be attributed to greater pressure around the ball, an area where they are rated second best in the competition.
If Fyfe, Mundy or Neale manage to get off the chain, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick could turn to midfield stopper Kane Lambert to put on the clamps in a tagging role.
Lambert’s defensive job on West Coast champion Sam Mitchell after half-time was crucial to the Tigers’ win in round three.
Hardwick expected Fremantle would employ a similar tactic against Richmond superstar Dustin Martin at some stage, with Connor Blakely the man to be given the task.
Blakely has performed shutdown roles on Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Ziebell, Luke Shuey and Zach Merrett in recent weeks. “Blakely has gone to players more than started on players,” Hardwick said.
“It’s probably a little bit of a similar philosophy to us.
“If someone gets out of control we’ll look at monitoring that player.
“Blakely’s a good player that can actually win his own ball as well, so that will be something that I’m sure Ross (Lyon) has up his sleeve.”
Tomorrow’s encounter shapes as an important one for both clubs’ finals hopes, with Richmond (5-2) coming off two straight losses and Fremantle (4-3) just outside the top eight.
“It’s going to be a great challenge for us,” Hardwick said.
“We’re probably in a similar ball park, both our sides.
“They’re probably inexperienced squads that have probably got some consistency issues at stages, but it’s going to be a really good contest because they’re playing some pretty good footy at the moment.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/why-freo-richmond-will-all-come-down-to-the-stoppages-ng-b88474447z
