The key match-ups for Tigers v MagpiesBen Guthrie
afl.com.au
Sep 21, 2018 2:30PMRICHMOND heads into Friday night's preliminary final against Collingwood with plenty going its way.
There's the Tigers' dominant MCG record, the week's rest after a strong qualifying final win over Hawthorn and the fact they have been the standout team across 2018 and as a result are the red-hot favourites to win back-to-back premierships.
Standing in Richmond's way are the Magpies, who had to travel to Perth before digging in for a gritty win over Greater Western Sydney in last week's semi-final.
A crowd of close to 100,000 people is expected to turn up for a gigantic battle between two of the AFL's most passionate supporter bases.
KEY MATCH-UPS Dylan Grimes v Jordan De GoeyDesperately unlucky not to be an All Australian this season, Grimes is Richmond's most trusted defender to match up on the opposition's most dynamic forward. Fresh off a three-goal haul against the Giants, Jordan De Goey is that player for the Magpies. Grimes has underrated closing speed and the discipline to fulfil the defensive role. De Goey is often stationed as Collingwood's deepest forward where his teammates push up the ground and try to isolate him one-out. If Grimes can keep De Goey – who has kicked 41 goals for the season – in check it will go a long way to a Richmond victory.
Toby Nankervis v Brodie GrundyThe challenge is set for Nankervis against one of the best ruckmen in the competition. Grundy's strength as a big man is his ability to cover the ground and act as an extra midfielder when the ball hits the deck. The Magpies ruckman has averaged 18 disposals and 43 hit-outs per game across the finals series. Nankervis must nullify Grundy's influence, particularly when he pushes forward. But Nankervis shouldn't just put all his energy into stopping Grundy, he plays his best football when he drifts forward and gets on the end of the play. He can set the tone with his aggression around the ball.
Jack Riewoldt v Tyson GoldsackGoldsack's comeback from a torn ACL in the pre-season has been one of the most inspiring stories of this year. After match-ups on Josh Kennedy and Jeremy Cameron, Goldsack is set for another tough assignment, this time on Jack Riewoldt. Both players are of similar height and weight, and for once this finals series Goldsack won't be playing as the outsized defender. Still Riewoldt is just as dangerous on the ground as he is in the air and he has shown consistently this year that he has a way of bringing his teammates in to the game.
How the Tigers can win…Richmond has been the best side in the competition all season for a reason. Their constant and unrelenting pressure, where they force the opposition into making mistakes, and then capitalising on those turnovers, is central to their success. No other team in the AFL does this part of the game as well as Richmond, with their small forwards Jack Higgins, Daniel Rioli and Jason Castagna leading the way in this area. They have a settled back six with Alex Rance controlling and commanding the defence and the most imposing and dynamic player in the AFL – Dustin Martin. Martin's fitness will be a talking point, but it may see him spend more time forward than in the midfield which could work in the Tigers' favour. A slightly hobbled Martin is still a dangerous proposition for any opposition.
How the Magpies can win…Collingwood proved when the teams met in round 19 that it has the personnel and game style to unnerve and cause the demise of the Tigers. The Magpies' midfield is their greatest strength, with Brodie Grundy leading a midfield brigade that bats as deep as any team left in the finals series alongside Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar and Taylor Adams. Similar to Richmond, Collingwood has multiple avenues to goal with four players kicking more than 30 goals for the season – Jordan De Goey (41 goals), Will Hoskin-Elliott (41), Josh Thomas (38) and Jaidyn Stephenson (35). If the Pies keep grinding away and ensure the Tigers don't hold a significant advantage early in the game, they have the midfield depth and firepower to win when it counts.
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