Richmond vs Norf @ Etihad - Round 11, 2017

[big tone]

They beat us because they work harder than us. Always have!
I watched them against Melbourne a couple of weeks back at the G and they really do run hard both ways. I'd say we would have a decent chance of beating them if we were playing the type of footy we were in the first 5 weeks but unfortunately we seemed to have relaxed and gone back to a few old habits of slow footy and short little handballs to stationary players.
Add to that we play 2,3,4,5 short in games like this when real effort is required. No need to mention them again because I reckon most are on board with who they are now, regardless of if they have a decent game occasionally against an average side.

Our best 5 or 6 kill their best 5 or 6 but their last 5 kill ours every time.
And we play straight into their hands of bombing long into our forwardline to their lose backman, then they run and spread through the middle of the ground to kick easy goals.

[one-eyed]

Match preview: North Melbourne v Richmond

afl.com.au
31 May 2017

SUMMARY

The game's two best key defenders – Robbie Tarrant and Alex Rance – will have crucial roles at either end as the Kangaroos and Tigers lock horns in a season-defining clash for each team. Richmond shook its late-match woes against Essendon on Saturday night to snap a four-match losing slide. But the Tigers will also need to end their North Melbourne hoodoo, which includes seven losses in eight outings, to continue their top-four push. The Roos' ability to at least break even with Richmond through the midfield will be critical to their chances. Dustin Martin – a North recruiting target – Trent Cotchin and Brandon Ellis were pivotal in the victory over the Bombers. Ben Cunnington had a big last quarter to will North across the line against Carlton, but was otherwise quiet. Whichever Cunnington turns up, Shaun Higgins and captain Jack Ziebell will need to maintain their good form.

WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, June 3, 7.25pm AEST

LAST FIVE TIMES

R11, 2016, North Melbourne 18.16 (124) d Richmond 7.12 (54) at Blundstone Arena
1EF, 2015, North Melbourne 15.15 (105) d Richmond 14.4 (88) at the MCG
R23, 2015, Richmond 16.12 (108) d North Melbourne 10.7 (67) at Etihad Stadium
R6, 2015, North Melbourne 16.13 (109) d Richmond 10.14 (74) at Blundstone Arena
R12, 2014, North Melbourne 17.14 (116) d Richmond 13.10 (88) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. Twenty-five points separated the sides at half-time when they met in 2016, but the Kangaroos kicked 11 goals to four in the second half to run away with the contest. North dominated the inside 50s (72-41) despite losing the clearances (35-43).

2. The Tigers' defence has been one of the stingiest in 2017, ranked third for conceding only 81 points per game. The Roos are one of the highest-scoring sides this season, ranked sixth with 96 points per match.

3. North has won seven of its last eight matches against Richmond, including two victories by more than 60 points. The Tigers' last victory was in round 23, 2015.

4. The Tigers have been prolific this season in taking the ball inside 50, ranking third with an average of 57.7 per game, ahead of the Kangaroos in equal eighth with an average of 54.4.

5. Heavily in North Melbourne’s favour is its record against Richmond at Etihad Stadium, winning eight games to four, including three of the last four.

6. The Year of Dusty continues, with Richmond superstar Dustin Martin breaking into the Schick AFL Player Ratings top 10 for the first time, courtesy of his best-on-ground display in the Dreamtime at the 'G match on Saturday night.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jarrad Waite and Ben Brown

The Roos' tall-forward pairing have each had great individual displays throughout the season, but if they can fire collectively it will force Richmond star Alex Rance to adopt a more defensive mindset. There is no reason Waite and Brown can't successfully co-exist, given their contrasting skillsets and styles.

PREDICTION: Richmond by 8 points

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-30/match-preview-north-melbourne-v-richmond

[one-eyed]

To tag or not to tag? Roos mull over Dusty plans

afl.com.au
1 June 2017

NORTH Melbourne is still considering whether to tag Richmond star Dustin Martin this Saturday night, but has ruled out recalling Ben Jacobs for this vital role after the run-with midfielder suffered a minor injury setback.

Martin has been one of the competition's most damaging midfielders this season, averaging 29 possessions a game – half of them contested – over the first 10 rounds, and kicking 14 goals.

Just to add extra spice to Saturday night's contest at Etihad Stadium, North is making a massive play for the restricted free agent, with a long-term offer worth more than $1 million a season believed to be on the table for Martin.

North coach Brad Scott told reporters on Thursday every player could be "restricted to some level" by a tag, but said Martin would be a "very difficult" assignment for one player.

"(Tagging Martin) is an option. We're still weighing all those things up to be honest," Scott said.

"Dusty has been in exceptional form this year, that's clear for all to see, but I think the addition of (Josh) Caddy and (Dion) Prestia has given their midfield more depth and versatility.

"So we'll just have to weigh all those things up and probably assess it in game as well."

North will enter Saturday night's game having won seven of its past eight games against the Tigers, the Kangaroos' one loss during that stretch coming in round 23, 2015, when they controversially rested nine players ahead of the finals.

Richmond bolstered its list over the off-season with experienced recruits Prestia (Gold Coast) and Caddy (Geelong), and after 10 rounds sits fifth on the ladder with a 6-4 record.

Scott said the Tigers had also changed their game style "pretty significantly" this year, ensuring North's recent dominance would not count for much.

"To their credit, they've looked at ways to get better and clearly they have got better. Prior records are probably more for supporters to talk about than for coaches," he said.

"They're two very different teams this year, so we're looking forward to the challenge."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-06-01/to-tag-or-not-to-tag-roos-mull-over-dusty-plans

[one-eyed]

 Opposition Analysis: North Melbourne Midfield and Stoppage Coach, Andrew McQualter and Matthew Richardson analyse the Round 11 match against North Melbourne.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2017-06-01/opposition-analysis-north-melbourne-round-11

[Eat_em_Alive]

Opposition Analysis: Richmond Midfield and Stoppage Coach, Andrew McQualter and Matthew Richardson analyse the Round 11 match against North Melbourne.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2017-06-01/opposition-analysis-north-melbourne-round-11

[Slipper]

Crownbet have us at $1.88

[Hard Roar Tiger]

All the money coming for the roos

[mightytiges]

They beat us because they work harder than us. Always have!
I watched them against Melbourne a couple of weeks back at the G and they really do run hard both ways. I'd say we would have a decent chance of beating them if we were playing the type of footy we were in the first 5 weeks but unfortunately we seemed to have relaxed and gone back to a few old habits of slow footy and short little handballs to stationary players.
Add to that we play 2,3,4,5 short in games like this when real effort is required. No need to mention them again because I reckon most are on board with who they are now, regardless of if they have a decent game occasionally against an average side.

Our best 5 or 6 kill their best 5 or 6 but their last 5 kill ours every time.
And we play straight into their hands of bombing long into our forwardline to their lose backman, then they run and spread through the middle of the ground to kick easy goals.

This! We always play into the hands of their sucker punch counterattack gameplan. Not to mention the likes of Waite kick their one and only bag for the season against us.

It would be better if we sit back and not allow them an open F50 all night then hit them on the counter. As I posted in the selection thread, we've picked a side more suited to quick counterattack over the top and out the back on the rebound.

[Slipper]

All the money coming for the roos

Yep.

You can get as good as $1.94 on us now.

[one-eyed]

This is on the AFL website  .

[one-eyed]

NO LATE CHANGES

FINAL INTERCHANGES

North Melbourne: Nathan Hrovat, Luke McDonald, Ryan Clarke, Shaun Atley

Richmond: Brandon Ellis, Sam Lloyd, Connor Menadue, Jason Castagna

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-06-03/final-teams-saturday

[Slipper]

This is on the AFL website  .

What a joke.

[mat073]

Shouldn't even joke about it .

[Eat_em_Alive]

Lol what a joke
I could understand him going to bombres or hawks for big money. They've won premierships... but n0rf? The only cups they're used to dealing with are empty dog food cans

[mat073]

Should be the Robin Nahas cup