It's on like Donkey Kong / Friday, Sept.8 QF: Richmond vs Geelong @ the 'G

[Hard Roar Tiger]

I'm thinking of this game
This is our biggest game in 30 odd years
Will we absorb the pressure and come out victorius and let the circus consume us.

Can already see the cats staying low key in the lead up and Ricond being Apollo Creed vs Drago fight

Inb4 selwood gets named last minute and the bye killed our momemtum

Possibly, agree biggest game in 30 years

[one-eyed]

From the MCG website:

Opening times

Gates
Public            5.30pm
AFL Reserve   5.30pm
MCC Reserve  5.00pm

Parking

Gate 3: 3.00pm
Gate 5: 4.00pm
Gate 6: 4.00pm
Gate 7: 7.00am


Estimated attendance

90,000

Ticket update

The public ticket allocation has been exhausted.  Any unused club, AFL or function seats will be sold via Ticketek on September 5 at 2.00pm.

CAR PARKING ADVICE

With a large crowd expected, and some areas of Yarra Park likely to be too wet to accommodate vehicles, car parking will be severely limited.

Drivers should arrive as early as possible, or seek an alternative transport method, as space will fill before match time.

Special offer: Footy fans can also park at Le Garage (114 Flinders St) at a discounted rate of $8 by scanning your event ticket at the pay station.

Arrive early

Security measures such as bag checks and patron scanning will again be in place as fans make their way into the stadium.

This process will take time, so please be patient - and limit the number of bags you bring. Each bag will be inspected, so the more bags you bring the longer it will take.

It is recommended that fans arrive by around 6.30pm, as those who arrive later may miss the the teams run out and/or the start of the match.

Help us help you

Security and event staff are doing an important job, so please help them by co-operating at all times.

Be our eyes and ears: If you see something you think is suspicious, immediately inform event staff, a security guard or police.

Cheer squad seating

Geelong Cats: Bay M33
Richmond: Bay M3

http://www.mcg.org.au/whats-on/events-calendar/2017/september/afl-qualifying-final-geelong-cats-v-richmond

[one-eyed]

AFL: Cats’ home away from home

Michelangelo Rucci,
The Advertiser
4 September 2017

THE Advertiser’s Chief Football Writer Michelangelo Rucci takes a look at Geelong’s ‘home’ battle against Richmond ‘away’ at the MCG on Friday night.

GEELONG v RICHMOND

Qualifying final, MCG, Friday, 7.20pm

DOES SELWOOD PLAY?

GEELONG captain Joel Selwood trained strongly on Saturday as the midfielder seeks to prove he is fit to play in Friday’s qualifying final against Richmond.

He has missed three matches since suffering a syndesmosis ankle injury in the latter stages of the home loss to Sydney at Kardinia Park on August 4.

Selwood says he expects to see his name in the Geelong line-up on Thursday - and is optimistic it will stay there when the team sheets are lodged at the MCG on Friday evening.

Re-establishing the Selwood-Patrick Dangerfield partnership in the midfield for the first time in 35 days is critical to enhancing Geelong’s odds of advancing to an MCG preliminary final, even if the record books show the Cats have won three from three without Selwood.
Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats chats to Trent Cotchin of the Tigers.

IS THE MCG “HOME”?

GEELONG is the “home” team in this final at the MCG where third-ranked Richmond is more at home.

The Cats have a 3-2 win-loss record at the MCG this season (where the Tigers have chalked up a 9-2 count this season).

Head-to-head, Geelong has won the past eight games against Richmond at the MCG since 2002.

Geelong has worked up a lucky 13-game run against the Tigers.

So, the MCG should not be seen as limiting the Cats’ prospects of advancing from this double-chance final.

Geelong has won four of its past six finals a the MCG - and the biggest lesson from the last one, the preliminary final against Sydney, is not to make a bad start.

CAN TIGERS WIN A FINAL?

AT least there is a safety net under Richmond this year.

For those who are not immersed in the Tigers’ recent record in September - the month that has tormented Richmond fans for too long - the club’s moving theme song has not been heard at the end of a final since September 15, 2001 (semi-final win against Carlton).

Since then, Richmond has lost the 2001 preliminary final (to Brisbane), 2013 elimination final (to the ninth-ranked Carlton), the 2014 elimination final (to Port Adelaide) and the 2015 elimination final (to North Melbourne).

This time, there is a next week, either a home semi-final against Sydney or Essendon or a home preliminary final.
Newly re-signed Tiger Dustin Martin congratulates Dan Butler during the recent loss to Geelong.

CAN THAT ATTACK WORK?

RICHMOND has defied the doubts by winning while building a “small” attack around key forward Jack Riewoldt and working a thin ruck battery around Sydney recruit Toby Nankervis.

The Tigers have averaged 91 points this season.

But, as is often the case, the attention on Richmond’s different look in attack has overshadowed the new strength in the Tigers’ game - defence. All-Australian captain Alex Rance and his crew have conceded an average 76.3 points this season (ranking second in the AFL) - a significant 22-point improvement on last season.

And what do they say of defence in finals?

It is vital and a key pointer to a prospective premiership team. Some may question if it is a year too soon for the Tigers?

The club’s fans will say it is more than two decades too late.

THE ODDS

MATCH

Geelong $1.70

Richmond $2.15

FLAG

Geelong $5.50

Richmond $6.50


MEDICAL ROOMS

CATS

M. Blicavs (ankle) test

J. Selwood (ankle) test

N. Cockatoo (hamstring) test

J. Cowan (Achilles) season

C. Gregson (foot) season

L. McCarthy (hip/groin) season

Q. Narkle (knee) season

TIGERS

J. Caddy (hamstring) test

N. Drummond (knee) season

THIS SEASON

Geelong 11.14 (80) d Richmond 9.12 (66), Round 21 at Kardinia Park

EARLY CALL

GEELONG by 10 points

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/expert-opinion/michelangelo-rucci/geelongs-new-home-away-from-home-against-rampant-richmond/news-story/de4f8f3bd334878ce4b7655366e11a1d

[one-eyed]

Tigers Grand Final-bound if they beat the Cats: Derm

By Justin Talent
SEN
4 September 2017

Five-time Hawthorn premiership forward Dermott Brereton believes Richmond will play in their first Grand Final in 35 years if they are to defeat Geelong in their upcoming qualifying final.

If the Tigers were to break a 13-game losing streak against the Cats and win the club’s first final since 2001 in front of over 97,000 fans at the MCG next Friday night, they would most likely host an interstate team in a preliminary final two weeks later.

Brereton, who has tipped the Tigers over the Cats solely because of the venue, says he would back Richmond to win a home preliminary final should it eventuate and clinch a remarkable Grand Final berth.

“If the Tigers win this, they are playing in the 2017 Grand Final,” he said on SEN’s Crunch Time.

“A home prelim at the G against more than likely an interstate team. They’ll play Grand Final day if they win. I’m convinced.”

David King however thinks that Geelong will continue their dominance over the Tigers, believing they match up very well against them.

He also holds doubts whether Richmond can overcome any potential mental challenges the high stakes game could throw at them.

“I think Geelong will win this and I think they may win it quite well,” the North Melbourne premiership player said.

“I think Geelong, unfortunately for Richmond, match up really well. Head to head, you put the magnets together...if they can can clamp (Trent) Cotchin and clamp (Dustin) Martin, look out.

“It will be a mental challenge for the Tiges, and let’s be honest, they have failed that mental challenge in the past three finals.”

While Brereton says that Richmond’s coaching group will be shying away from reminding the team of their recent finals stumbles, he concedes that they may still be susceptible to mental fragility late in the game if the contest is close.

“You wouldn’t want to get to three-quarter time and hold a single figure lead if you were the Tiges and Geelong have kicked the last three,” he said.

“That would be hard for them to get over.”

Mark Robinson has tipped Richmond, believing their pace will get them over the line.

“Richmond thinks that with speed of ball movement and speed of legs, they can get them,” he said.

Geelong won the their only home-and-away meeting this year by 14 points at Simonds Stadium in Round 21.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2017/09/02/tigers-grand-final-bound-if-they-beat-the-cats-derm/

[one-eyed]

AFL finals 2017: Five key talking points for blockbuster qualifying final between Geelong and Richmond

LACHIE YOUNG,
Geelong Advertiser
4 September 2017

WE may not get a true indication regarding whether Joel Selwood plays on Friday night until much closer to game time. In the meantime, LACHIE YOUNG looks at five talking points that could have a huge bearing on the outcome of the match.

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES PLAYING ON THE MCG MAKE?

The Tigers play a different brand of football at the MCG and their 9-2 record there this year reflects that. The Cats meanwhile have gone 3-2 (all bar one against teams that finished outside the eight), with two of those wins against Hawthorn and Collingwood coming in unconvincing fashion. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to suggest the MCG gives Richmond a two-goal advantage, so if the 14-point margin at Simonds Stadium is anything to go by then this could be another very tight qualifying final. The size of the MCG concerns the Cats because it doesn’t let them squeeze the opposition in the same manner as Simonds Stadium does. They will have spent some time out at Deakin University — where the dimensions are identical to the ‘G — in order to become accustomed to the wider expanses, but it will be crucial that Richmond’s midfielders and small forwards aren’t allowed too much space to run.


WHERE DOES HARRY TAYLOR PLAY?

Besides Jack Riewoldt, who has had a stellar year, Richmond does not pose too great a threat to Geelong inside its attacking 50 when it comes to key forwards. The Tigers have a vast spread of fleet-footed smalls who will cause some headaches, but with Riewoldt the only big man, it frees up one of Tom Lonergan, Lachie Henderson or, most likely, Harry Taylor, to go forward. Taylor has been used as a swingman all season but against the Tigers he spent the majority of his afternoon deep inside 50 and kicked five goals on Alex Rance. With Tom Hawkins back in the side, however, it will be interesting to see how Chris Scott utilises what could be the ace up his sleeve. Perhaps Hawkins will spend more time up the field in a similar manner to what he did with great effect against Carlton. The key though for whoever ends up on Rance is to isolate him and not allow the All-Australian captain the freedom to move off his opponent and intercept kicks inside 50.


HOW MUCH DOES THE RECORD COUNT?

Tom Lonergan doesn’t believe it will mean much and you can guarantee Chris Scott thinks the same thing. Yes, Geelong may have won the past 13 clashes between the Cats and the Tigers, but it’s a new ball game on Friday night with higher stakes than any time since the 1995 preliminary final. This might be true, but it is difficult to imagine how such a record wouldn’t slip into the minds of players if the scores are close late in the fourth quarter. Even if it is only minuscule, any slight advantage that Geelong’s dominance over Richmond might have in such an important match should be seized upon. Besides that, Richmond has also lost its only three finals under Damien Hardwick, while the Cats, while far from perfect under Scott, have some seasoned finals campaigners who should be able to provide a calming influence to their younger teammates.


WHO PLAYS ON DUSTIN MARTIN?

Only twice has Dustin Martin had fewer disposals this season than when he played against Geelong in Round 21. A big part of the reason for that was because of the work that Cam Guthrie did in quelling Martin’s influence when he played on the ball. It happened to be one of the Geelong midfielder’s better games in 2017 because he also got dangerous himself as well as stopping the Brownlow Medal favourite. When Martin went forward, first-year defender Tom Stewart did a superb job in limiting his efficiency, despite the fact the $8 million man finished with two goals. Scott Selwood is always an option to lock down on Martin through the middle of the ground, but Chris Scott may prefer he goes to Trent Cotchin, and given the success Guthrie and Stewart had at Simonds Stadium it would not be surprising to see that pair given first crack again.


HOW IMPORTANT IS ZAC SMITH?

The Geelong ruckman has finished the home-and-away season off in fine form, with his final five weeks sure to earn him a boost in the club best-and-fairest count later in the year. Smith has flourished as the number one big man for the Cats and while he will not learn until later in the week if Rhys Stanley or Wylie Buzza will play the pinch-hitting role while he is resting, his main focus will be on Richmond’s Toby Nankervis. Ivan Soldo also played against Geelong in Round 21 — his most recent senior match — but Nankervis has been the main man at Punt Rd all year. Smith matches up well on the former Swan, especially when it comes to hit outs (31.3 v 24.1), effective disposals (10.7 v 8.9), clearances (4.1 v 2.9) and score involvements (4.4 v 4.1). If he can get on top and give first use of the ball to Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan and Joel Selwood (if he plays) it will go a long way to helping Geelong secure a win.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/sport/afl/afl-finals-2017-five-key-talking-points-for-blockbuster-qualifying-final-between-geelong-and-richmond/news-story/a529ad82a6dee373d9af3138fa477e7b

[one-eyed]

Choco Williams on SEN just now said we're a "certainty" to win on Friday night  .

He also said Townsend will be the equal toughest player out there (equal to Joel Selwood).

[(•))(©™]

So, I'm feeling nervous.


Bad

[Yeahright]

Win this and I'll begin to believe

[one-eyed]

Martin a key for AFL's Tigers: Dangerfield

SBS
5 September 2017

Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield says his Richmond counterpart Dustin Martin has been the best player in the AFL this year.

The two midfield dynamos are certain to be central figures in Friday's night's huge qualifying final at the MCG.

They are also the short-priced favourites to poll the most votes in the 2017 Brownlow Medal count, although Dangerfield is ineligible to win the award for a second straight year due to suspension.

"(Martin) has certainly had an outstanding season - he's a real key component to Richmond playing really good footy," said Dangerfield, who reaches the 200-game milestone this weekend.

"That's only natural - he's been the best player in the competition.

"The challenge for us as a side is to nullify his impact."

Versatile defender Tom Stewart and onballer Cam Guthrie did a pretty good job limiting Martin's output the only previous time the teams met this year - back in round 21 when the Cats got up by 14 points at Simonds Stadium for a 13th straight win over the Tigers.

Even so, the Richmond star had 21 possessions and booted two goals.

Dangerfield said the Cats could not afford to become too Martin-conscious on Friday night.

"He's one player and they've got 21 others who will take to the field on Friday and that's been the reason behind their success this year - it hasn't just been one player," said the 27-year-old Cat.

"We've got to be very wary of the other players they have within their side.

"While he's obviously an integral part of it he's by no means the only reason they've been successful."

With only six points separating the top six teams on the ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season, Dangerfield agreed that it was the most wide-open premiership race in many years.

"I don't think there's any team that is saying `we're the best in the competition, we've won the majority of games we've played this year and we've finished on top of the ladder by a country mile'," he said.

"I think we saw last year with the way the Western Bulldogs handled the finals series that if you get it right for long enough anything is possible.

"Absolutely it's open and it gives every team great confidence, not just those teams who finished in the top four."

The winner of the clash between second-placed Geelong and third-ranked Richmond goes straight through to the preliminary final while the loser will take on either Sydney or Essendon in a cut-throat semi.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/09/04/martin-key-afls-tigers-dangerfield

[one-eyed]

Mega-preview: Second qualifying final, Geelong v Richmond

afl.com.au
5 September 2017


SUMMARY

The stakes could hardly be higher for two teams that have failed to make the most of their finals appearances in recent seasons. Richmond lost three straight elimination finals between 2013-15, while Geelong has failed to make a Grand Final from three qualifying final appearances in the past four years. The Cats will be favoured on the back of an imposing recent record between the teams, but the MCG will feel like home to the Tigers on Friday night. Their success starved fans will turn up in force for the club's first qualifying final since 2001, hoping to see them win their first since 1980. Fans will be treated to a battle between superstar midfielders Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin.

WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Friday September 8, 7.50pm 
AEST


WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?

Round 21: Geelong 11.14 (80) d Richmond 9.12 (66) at Simonds Stadium

Despite missing injured captain Joel Selwood and suspended pair Tom Hawkins and Mitch Duncan, the Cats found a way to win in a cauldron-like atmosphere at home. Harry Taylor was the star, kicking four goals and keeping Alex Rance out of the action. The Tigers were beaten up in the midfield, losing contested ball by 18. 
   
LAST FIVE TIMES

R21, 2017, Geelong 11.14 (80) d Richmond 9.12 (66) at Simonds Stadium
R21, 2016, Geelong 10.22 (82) d Richmond 12.6 (78) at the MCG
R5, 2015, Geelong 12.13 (85) d Richmond 11.10 (76) at the MCG
R7, 2014, Geelong 11.15 (81) d Richmond 12.4 (76) at the MCG
R6, 2013, Geelong 20.11 (131) d Richmond 13.9 (87) at the MCG

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Geelong
1. Sam Menegola is in top form and will be dangerous as a high half-forward, sitting corridor side at midfield stoppages. He has the tank to push up as an extra midfielder but also race back towards goal, kicking five goals in the past two weeks.

2. The Cats' defensive midfield match-ups will be crucial. Cameron Guthrie is the best option for Dustin Martin, with Tom Stewart the likely man when 'Dusty' is forward. Scott Selwood has a good record against Trent Cotchin.

3. Harry Taylor was the match-winner as a defensive forward on Alex Rance in round 21, kicking four goals. Tom Hawkins will play, but Taylor could still swing forward and try and get to Rance given the success of the match-up.

Richmond
1. Dustin Martin ran off the back of the square for a number of centre bounces in round 23. Watch for the Tigers to mix up his starting positions and use the superstar midfielder as a deep forward.

2. Dion Prestia plays his best football when he is working off an opponent. His best games have been in run-with roles this season and a match-up on Joel Selwood could suit the former Sun.

3. First-year midfielder Jack Graham has been a tackling machine in two games and watch for the hard-bodied 19-year-old to hit in hard at stoppages as a battering ram for his teammates.


THE SIX POINTS

1. Geelong continues to dominate Richmond, winning the last 13 matches daying back to the Tigers' last win in round nine, 2006. The Tigers haven't defeated the Cats at the MCG since 1999.

2. Richmond finished the home and away season with the third-best defence, conceding 76 points a game and giving up 100 points in a game only twice.

3. There is a big difference in finals experience between these sides. Geelong has a combined 185 games compared to Richmond’s 65. Chris Scott has coached in 11 finals for five wins, while Damien Hardwick is winless from three finals.

4. Both teams were strong during the home and away season for marks inside 50, with Richmond ranked second (14 a game) and Geelong fourth (13.1).

5. Richmond's small forwards have been terrific this season but were shut down in round 21 by the Cats. Jason Castagna, Dan Butler and Daniel Rioli kicked just one goal between them, with Butler and Rioli sharing seven possessions.

6. Richmond ruckman Toby Nankervis ranks No.181 overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings and has been on on a steep climb from No.525 at the start of the season. He'll go up against Geelong big man Zac Smith (No.63 overall), who had his measure in round 21.
 
WHAT THE COACHES SAY

Chris Scott: "I don't think previous performance makes too much difference to future performance. Sometimes teams match up OK against different teams. I don't think that's the situation with us and Richmond … it's preferable to have played well against them in the recent past."

Damien Hardwick: "The distraction is going to be there, the media noise and all this sort of stuff. And we accept it, we haven't got a good record against Geelong. But we also know that if we play our best we're capable of beating anyone. So that'll be acknowledged and our players understand that."

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Patrick Dangerfield

The Geelong superstar plays his 200th game and ninth final with so much riding on his shoulders. The Brownlow medallist was enormous in the 2016 finals, winning 39 possessions (21 contested) and nine clearances in the preliminary final loss to Sydney. There is no doubt he will perform on the big stage. Can he bring his teammates with him?


PREDICTION: Geelong by six points

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-04/megapreview-second-qualifying-final-geelong-v-richmond

[one-eyed]

Choco Williams on SEN just now said we're a "certainty" to win on Friday night  .

He also said Townsend will be the equal toughest player out there (equal to Joel Selwood).

Choco: I’m certain Richmond are going to win

By SEN
5 September 2017

Former Richmond assistant coach Mark Williams says the Tigers are certainties to defeat Geelong in this Friday night’s Qualifying Final.

Despite losing to the Cats by 14-points last month, Williams believes Damien Hardwick will use that game as a learning experience and it’ll ignite them to victory this week. The 2004 premiership coach is also of the notion the Tigers’ top-tier players will produce a better output than they did in Round 21.

“I’m certain Richmond are going to win,” he told SEN Afternoons.

“They played them last month and Dustin Martin had 21 touches, kicked two goals and got tagged a bit. He will learn from that. Trent Cotchin will play better and all the young forwards didn’t contribute that day. I think they were overawed, I reckon it was a big deal for them, a newer environment, a small skinny ground…things that suit a team who has been there a couple times, like Geelong.

“The small forwards will show a bit this time.”

Williams also believes the injection of former Greater Western Sydney hard nut Jacob Townsend, who kicked 11 goals in the final two home-and-away matches, will be a major plus for Richmond.

“He [Townsend] is probably the equal-toughest player on the ground,” he said.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2017/09/04/choco-i-m-certain-richmond-are-going-to-win/

[Eat_em_Alive]

Pretty Cocky bunch of stuffwits

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/2017-2nd-qf-geelong-v-richmond-richmonds-home-ground-7-50pm-friday.1175481/

[georgies31]

Cats a favourites so they should be ,but they think they a in premilm already.Might work in our favour first final we attempting not heing favourites maybe beside power game.Play 4 qtrs keep pressure up we can match them no issue they don't scare me.

[MintOnLamb]

Joel Duckwood rubbish free kick milking specialist

[Dougeytherichmondfan]

Why wouldn't they be cocky and pencil in the win? Our record v them deserves about that much respect, disgraceful. I was there last year when they ate up a 7 goal 3/4 time lead. Everyone at the ground knew it was going to happen 30 seconds into the last q.