Richmond v Greater Western Sydney: preliminary final previewDaniel Cherny
The Age
17 September 2017Whatever happens in this match it will be a breakthrough of sorts. Richmond – after more than three decades in the wilderness – are on the verge of returning to the grand final for the first time since 1982.
That they have even made it this far is a huge achievement for a club that until last weekend hadn't won a final in 16 years. You'd need to be trying hard to have ignored the freight train of momentum and excitement surrounding the Tigers, especially after they crushed Geelong in the qualifying final.
This is a team with many no-frills players, but Richmond have developed into a formidable side built around several stars of the competition. It is a stunning turnaround given only 12 months ago the club looked to be in the midst of a crisis, with assistant coaches heading out the door, veteran Brett Deledio off to the Giants, and a board challenge putting pressure on president Peggy O'Neal.
On the other side of the coin are the Giants, in just their sixth season in the AFL, and arguably burdened by immense external expectation, but despite an at-times torrid campaign in which they have dealt with a crippling injury list and somewhat patchy form, are also just two wins away from a premiership.
They were written off in some circles following the qualifying final loss to Adelaide, especially given the injuries to Jeremy Cameron and Shane Mumford, but having eliminated West Coast on Saturday night they remain in the flag hunt.
HISTORY LESSONRichmond really should have beaten the Giants twice already this year, but a final-quarter capitulation at Spotless Stadium in round nine, a game in which the Tigers led by more than five goals deep in the third quarter, cost them.
Richmond thought they had iced the game when debutant Shai Bolton goaled 30 minutes into the last term, but that major was overturned on review, and the Giants whisked the ball down the other end, with Cameron kicking the winner.
Second time around though, the Tigers showed their top-four bona fides by holding GWS goalless for the best part of two quarters on the way to a 19-point win in the MCG wet in round 18. As usual, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin led the way for the Tigers, racking up 58 disposals between them.
X-FACTORNot much thought had been given to Jacob Townsend until last month. He had been let go by the Giants and was no more than a fringe-dweller for the Tigers, but has been a revelation since earning a late-season senior recall, kicking 13 goals in three games, as well as nullifying the drive of Geelong defender Lachie Henderson in the qualifying final. He also claimed the Liston Trophy as the VFL's best-and-fairest player, and remarkably has the chance to play in a grand final, and prevent his former club from doing so. Based on Saturday night's performance, Steve Johnson's X-factor status is alive and kicking at the Giants, with a brilliant six-goal haul against West Coast.
TACTICSRichmond coach Damien Hardwick has employed a considerably more direct style of play this year, with the Tigers aiming to get the ball into their 50 fast and back the intensity of their small forwards to ensure the ball doesn't get out.
What shouldn't be ignored however is quite how resilient their defence has been, with Alex Rance, David Astbury, Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin all having excellent seasons. The Giants have generally controlled possession, winning the ball from the contest and using it better than their opposition.
PREDICTIONThe Tigers look close to irrepressible. In Martin, Cotchin, Rance and Jack Riewoldt, they have leaders who appear capable of standing up when needed, and the win over the Cats will have eased nerves, and exorcised some September demons.
Still, this is uncharted territory for them. As shown by their response to the debate about a possible grand final jumper clash with Adelaide, Richmond are wary of getting ahead of themselves, even if that cannot be said of all of their supporters. The question of whether two weeks off in the past month will have a detrimental impact is also legitimate given last year's qualifying final winners, Geelong and GWS, were preliminary final losers in what was the first season of the post round-23 bye.
Things have not been plain sailing for GWS this year, but even when somewhat depleted they have quality players. The pain of last year's preliminary final loss to the Western Bulldogs should also act as a spur. Although a young club, the Giants know what finals heartbreak feels like. That won't be enough to stop the men from Punt Road though, who look destined for greatness.
Richmond by 27 pointshttp://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/richmond-v-greater-western-sydney-preliminary-final-preview-20170916-gyiujq.html
