Richmond vs Port Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval --- 1st Preliminary Final, 2020

[georgies31]

Hinkley is adamant he knows how to disrupt Richmond’s proven blueprint - he’s just not saying how.

“We’re going to do our best to do the things that we have done well all season and that has been in the ability to win the contest, get the ball in our half.

“We know about their game. It’s built off some turnover, it’s built off some speed, it’s built off some real class and some power forwards.

“We get what we are going to stop but I’m not going to go into the details.”

Hinkley has selected an unchanged side, with Todd Marshall (shoulder) and Xavier Duursma (concussion) proving their fitness after being hurt in Port’s qualifying win against Geelong.

https://thewest.com.au/sport/port-adelaide-power/port-adelaide-coach-ken-hinkley-admits-anxiety-ahead-of-afl-preliminary-final-against-richmond-ng-b881694168z

It might have been saints last week,  but we won the game on different terms like Port play.

[georgies31]

Famous last words, Ken. Last time we had our VFL side's mids playing and the game was played purely on Port's terms. We couldn't win a centre clearance all night. Dimma would've learnt a lot from that game. If we can match them in the guts then it will go a long way to winning the territory battle and getting us over the line.

We need to be more consisent and not make so many schoolboy errors nor waste our F50 entries by bombing blindly to their spare defender which they'll be forced to use given their short backline. Bring our A-grade game of manic pressure at the ball, opponent and the contest.

100% spot on cut the silly errors and turnovers of late and also conceding late goals last 2 games.Delivery has to be spot on Lynch can take McKenzie to the square and isolate him and Jack makes space and could get of the leash.Jonas is the spare man make him accountable like we did with McGovern of eagles.I would start Bolton up there to give us class and takes a good player seen it last week .As you say all about pressure and tackling intensity have to hit them hard.

I wasn't impressed with there win against cats , Cats missed so many shots and we're in the game didn't take there chances.Alot made  of there ruck duo Stanley won the battle and hit outs Nank can do the same with a chop out.

[mightytiges]

Famous last words, Ken. Last time we had our VFL side's mids playing and the game was played purely on Port's terms. We couldn't win a centre clearance all night. Dimma would've learnt a lot from that game. If we can match them in the guts then it will go a long way to winning the territory battle and getting us over the line.

We need to be more consisent and not make so many schoolboy errors nor waste our F50 entries by bombing blindly to their spare defender which they'll be forced to use given their short backline. Bring our A-grade game of manic pressure at the ball, opponent and the contest.

100% spot on cut the silly errors and turnovers of late and also conceding late goals last 2 games.Delivery has to be spot on Lynch can take McKenzie to the square and isolate him and Jack makes space and could get of the leash.Jonas is the spare man make him accountable like we did with McGovern of eagles. I would start Bolton up there to give us class and takes a good player seen it last week .As you say all about pressure and tackling intensity have to hit them hard.

Agree. I wouldn't be surprised to see up rotate Bolton and Dusty between forward and midfield so Port's defence (and midfield for that matter) doesn't get a break from a dangerous third forward.

I wasn't impressed with there win against cats , Cats missed so many shots and we're in the game didn't take there chances.Alot made  of there ruck duo Stanley won the battle and hit outs Nank can do the same with a chop out.

Yep, the Cats blew it in the second quarter of that game when they dominated general play and the ball was in their forward half yet they missed so many chances to gain a 4-5 goal break at half-time. Port then got on top in the third. Similar to us against Brisbane.

[one-eyed]

WHY BLIGHT SEES RICHMOND TAKING DOWN PORT ADELAIDE

BY SEN
15 October 2020

AFL Legend Malcolm Blight believes Richmond will overcome Port Adelaide in Friday night’s Preliminary Final.

Blight looked back to when the Power and Tigers met in Round 11, where Port kicked away in the final quarter of an incredible game to win by 21 points.

He feels Port Adelaide should have won that game given Richmond was missing Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia, Bachar Houli, Shane Edwards, David Astbury, Toby Nankervis and Jack Graham.

For that reason, Blight isn’t reading too much into that encounter when it comes to predicting the upcoming Preliminary Final.

“This is probably my take on it, Port did beat them in Round 11 this year … but Richmond had seven players out including Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia, Bachar Houli and Shane Edwards and then a couple from the backline,” he told SEN’s Whateley.

“That’s a third of their best team and I must say, that’s exactly what should have happened that day (a Port win).

“It was a tight game from memory. I did the game and I just thought, ‘nah, this’ll be different next time they play’.

“That’ll be the test for Port Adelaide. If they can rise above those seven coming back in.”

Blight believes Richmond will be too strong for Port on Friday night.

“I think it’s their time in the sun and the seven-player difference is massive,” he said.

“I think they want their dynasty and they’re ready for that.

“When you look man-for-man there’s a bit of a gap as you go down the list, so Richmond wins for me.”

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/10/14/why-blight-sees-richmond-taking-down-port-adelaide/

[one-eyed]

Final questions: Are Richmond on track for a dynasty?

Anthony Colangelo
The Age
October 16, 2020

Two more wins and Richmond are in the same conversation as Hawthorn, the Brisbane Lions and Geelong as the pre-eminent clubs of this century.

But first, they have to get past Port Adelaide, who have led from the start of the season.

Can the Tigers become a dynasty?

Obviously, should the Tigers win, there is a greater challenge to come in a grand final. But beating Port Adelaide in a preliminary final at a rabid Adelaide Oval - despite some capacity restrictions - would be quite monumental.

It would be the clearest signal yet that Richmond are capable of going back-to-back and winning three flags in four seasons.

Two more wins and the Tigers are in the same conversation as Hawthorn, Brisbane and Geelong as the pre-eminent clubs of this century. Imagine thinking that in 2016?

Even just making the grand final, given all the odds stacked against Victorian sides in 2020, would be extraordinary. Travel, living away from home, off-field scandals and heat about their on-field discipline have been biting at the Tigers heels at a seemingly constant rate.

Footy clubs are process driven, and those inside them say their eyes rest solely on the next win.

But the likes of coach Damien Hardwick, Jack Riewoldt, captain Trent Cotchin and chief executive Brendon Gale not pondering the historic implications of back-to-back and three in four years would be hard to believe.

Last time lessons?

These sides played arguably the game of the season in round 11.

Following a game of high intensity and wild momentum swing the Power piled on three quick goals at the start of the final term to essentially take control of the match. Richmond were missing seven players that played in their semi-final win over St Kilda, including Cotchin, Shane Edwards, Dion Prestia and Bachar Houli. Port did not have Connor Rozee, Brad Ebert and qualifying final goal kicker Steven Motlop.

Earlier this week Dylan Grimes said the Tigers were flattered by the 21-point margin on the night, suggesting they should have lost by more.

"They just countered every punch that we threw, in terms of ball movement, they just had an answer for all of our questions," Grimes said.

Can Richmond avoid 'the line'?

Richmond have crossed it a few too many times this season. Lynch has done so on five occasions himself, while Richmond's games have been littered with costly 50-metre penalties.

Interestingly, when asked about Lynch's misdemeanours, Hardwick has repeatedly not taken the opportunity to denounce his behaviour.

He does say that he wants his players to play within the rules, but from there he continues to encourage an aggressive approach to the game.

That's no surprise, and internally the Tigers coaches and leaders have implored their players to rein in their ill discipline that leads to 50m penalties.

But it's been such a feature of Richmond's season that it is hard to say it will definitely not be part of this preliminary final.

A high-pressure game in a high-pressure atmosphere against a team who are the best around the ball, and the best at locking the ball into their forward half: Things are bound to get willing.

Richmond cannot afford to have any mis-steps in this respect on Friday if they want to give themselves the best chance of winning.

Week off woes?

Port Adelaide have played one game in three weeks, the Tigers have played two.

In a season where all teams have had to play a lot of matches in a little time, it will be interesting to see the impact of only playing once in 21 days.

The extra week has given Todd Marshall and Xavier Duursma a chance to recover from injury, while the Tigers were able to keep their legs ticking along in a fairly high intensity win over St Kilda.

Some thought the extra week off bit Richmond in the backside in 2018 when they unexpectedly lost the preliminary final to a momentum-filled Collingwood side.

Which big man bites?

Sure, Tom Hawkins won the Coleman Medal, but try picking only one of Hawkins, Charlie Dixon and Lynch for your side if you had the chance.

The impact of Lynch's fair physicality is often overlooked because he steals the headlines with cheap shots, but don't underestimate how significant his controlled bullocking can be.

It's no secret how dominant Dixon is, just looking at him is enough to strike fear into opposition fans.

Port's defence is underrated but there are still question marks on Trent McKenzie. If he gets the job on Lynch, can he do it? He was lucky that Hawkins' radar was off in the qualifying final.

PREDICTION

Port Adelaide by nine points.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/final-questions-are-richmond-on-track-for-a-dynasty-20201015-p565bo.html

[Andyy]

Bold statement, but I think if we win it tonight we will win the flag

[Francois Jackson]

100% Yep andy, i said the same thing last night

this is our grand final IMO.

I am not sure what the stats are, but i remember seeing something online recently that when we make Grand Finals we usually win them.

[georgies31]

If we play to our best and our standards got a big chance.Port a arrogant as they come and yet achieved nothing.We need that tiger big time pressure and put a solid 4 qtrs.

[pmac21]

Talk about poking the bear. Hartlett was interviewed basically said Tom Lynch cannot control his emotions on field and most people would love it if his and richmonds season finished early after tonights game.
Game on homies.

[hyperlite]

Sometimes players just need to keep their mouths shut. Verbal barbs the day before the game does not give a team any advantage.

I hope none of our players bite back at this.

Often players who come out and say stupid things and it comes back and bites them.

Hartlett would want to back up his words - there's potential for egg on face if he does something dirty and/or gives away a 50m penalty.

[Andyy]

Hopefully another 6 goals like last year at AO.

Fingers crossed no bad discipline tonight and just good old tough footy.

[one-eyed]

ROB HARDING'S IN-DEPTH TACTICAL PREVIEW OF PORT ADELAIDE VERSUS RICHMOND

BY ROB HARDING
SEN
16 October 2020

Last three meetings

2020 Round 11: Port Adelaide 13.15.93 d. Richmond 11.6.72 (21 points). Adelaide Oval (T)

2019 Round 18: Richmond 15.11.101 d. Port Adelaide 9.9.63 (38 points). MCG (D)

2019 Round 4: Richmond 15.9.99 d. Port Adelaide 14.8.92 (7 points). Adelaide Oval (T)

Last time they met

In one of the games of the season, Port Adelaide jumped out to a four-goal lead before the Tigers hit back, and in a see-sawing battle, took a one-point lead into the last quarter.

From there it was all Port Adelaide, as they dominated clearances and contested possession in the last quarter (+7 and +22 respectively), to generate 19 inside 50s to two for the quarter, kicking 3.4 to 0.0 to run out 21-point winners.

While the last quarter inflated the stats, Port was the dominant team in many areas, winning the inside 50 count 55-24, clearances by 19 (including a remarkable 20-5 from centre bounce) and contested possession by 45.

With so much of the game starting in Port Adelaide’s forward half, Richmond were forced to rely on fast break counter attacks.

The Tigers' speed did trouble Port once they were able to break the first line of their pressing defence, resulting in Richmond generating 17 scoring shots from just 24 entries. This was the most efficient scoring performance from any team in 2020.

What Port Adelaide learnt from week one

Port’s coaching staff would have been thrilled with their performance in the Qualifying Final against Geelong, especially in light of the Cats big win over Collingwood on Saturday night.

The Power’s contest game stood up against the Cats midfield, especially in the second half, as they won both xlearances and contested possession by eight for the half.

Centre bounces, which are so important for establishing field position, went Port’s way 9-7 but they were also able to capitalise on the scoreboard, kicking 3.1 to 0.1.

Many of Port’s younger players were playing in the first final, and stood up in key moments.

Xavier Duursma courageously went back with the flight in the third quarter, while in the last quarter Zac Butters’ knock on set up Peter Ladhams for a goal, and Todd Marshall played through a shoulder injury to kick a late goal.

While Port will be happy that Trent McKenzie kept Tom Hawkins goalless, they will acknowledge that Hawkins’ 0.5 and one shot for no score could have been far more damaging.

The Port backs forced Hawkins wide for the majority of his shots, and will have been keeping close watch on how Tom Lynch dismantled their former teammate Dougal Howard in the Tigers Semi Final win.

What Richmond learnt From week two

The Tigers were undisciplined in their Qualifying Final loss to the Lions, allowing an easy Daniel Rich handball receive for the Lions first goal, and giving away two 50m penalties late in the second quarter for a Lachie Neale goal.

Richmond brought the aggression against the Saints last week, but for the most part it was in a more controlled manner.

Tom Lynch attacked the ball with speed, creating numerous opportunities for the Tigers small forwards, especially in the first half. Shane Edwards and Shai Bolton (twice) were the early beneficiaries of the Tigers talls ability to bring the ball to ground.

After the Lions were more damaging at ground level in the Qualifying Final, the Tigers improved enormously against the Saints.

Richmond midfielders and half forwards got back into their defensive 50 to support at ground level and pushed hard into their forward to crumb and hit the scoreboard in attack.

Something To watch for

Jack Riewoldt played a selfless role in the Semi Final, pushing up the ground to help isolate Tom Lynch’s match up closer to goal.

If he does the same, how can Trent McKenzie get any support in the air against the Tigers power forward?

Port’s midfielders and wingers have a big responsibility to get back and help cover the Tigers dangerous high half forwards, if their Port teammates have to leave their man to provide aerial support against Lynch and Riewoldt.

Prediction

I wrote before the Qualifying Final that Port had been underrated all year, despite finishing every round on top of the ladder and ranking in the top two for Offence and defence.

I then went on to tip Geelong to beat them.

I’m not making the same mistake this week. Port are at home and are well rested coming off a solid Qualifying Final hit out.

The Tigers will throw everything at them, and bring a much more experienced and hardened team than the one they brought in Round 11, but I give Port the edge (just!).

Hopefully this game lives up to the hype – it should be a classic.

Port Adelaide by 13 points.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/10/16/rob-hardings-in-depth-tactical-preview-of-port-adelaide-versus-richmond/

[one-eyed]

The massive Tiger changes from R11 that will have Ken worried

The stats which show Richmond will have almost an entirely new midfield in its Power rematch

By Sarah Black
afl.com.au
16 October 2020

IT'S NO SECRET the Richmond team lining up in Friday night's preliminary final will be very different to that which faced Port Adelaide back in round 11.

But a comparison of the Tigers' centre-square bounce attendances that match and in last week's semi-final win shows just how influential these changes could be.

Dion Prestia (syndesmosis), Shane Edwards (personal), Toby Nankervis (syndesmosis), Trent Cotchin (rested/hamstring) and Jack Graham (unselected) weren't present in the midfield which was belted by the Power in their only clash this season.

Defenders David Astbury (knee) and Bachar Houli (personal) were also unavailable.

Richmond centre bounce attendances in round 11

Shai Bolton   24
Dustin Martin 24
Jack Ross     14
Josh Caddy    11
Sydney Stack  10
Kane Lambert   1
Ivan Soldo (ruck)  19
Mabior Chol (ruck)  9

Richmond centre bounce attendances in last week's semi-final

Dustin Martin  19
Shane Edwards  16
Trent Cotchin  12
Dion Prestia   12
Jack Graham     3
Shai Bolton     1
Toby Nankervis (ruck) 16
David Astbury (ruck)  4
Noah Balta (ruck)     1

The Tigers lost by 21 points back in round 11, having held a slender one-point lead going into the final break.

That three-quarter time margin had flattered a Richmond who was holding on for dear life, coming off its fourth game in 16 days with essentially a second-string midfield.

By the final siren, Port Adelaide had won the centre bounce clearances by 15, which ended up being its highest differential for the season – and Richmond's worst.

The "centre bounce first possession" stat told a similar tale, with the Power's differential of plus nine its equal-best for the year and once again, the Tigers' worst.

There were only minimal differences in the ruck stats (including the all-important hitouts-to-advantage), meaning the Power midfield core of Ollie Wines (10 clearances), Travis Boak (seven), Tom Rockliff (six) and Sam Powell-Pepper (six) simply dominated at ground level.

The Tigers have never been a strong clearance side in their current successful era – preferring instead to back their aerial intercept skills and subsequent chaotic forward ball movement – but they are rarely as beaten up as they were against the Power.

There were promising signs for the reigning premiers in their semi-final win.

The Tigers won the centre bounce clearances by 10, and kicked 4.2 (26) directly from the middle, their highest score from that source for the season.

Bolton had been dangerous in the midfield in Edwards' absence, but upon returning to the forward line, his ability to turn on a dime has added another dimension in attack.

Friday night's test against the minor premiers will be a much stiffer task than St Kilda, but with a first-choice midfield core now at its disposal (injured ruck Ivan Soldo aside), we're unlikely to see a complete engine room thumping again.

Stats courtesy of Champion Data

https://www.afl.com.au/news/517790/the-massive-tiger-changes-from-r11-that-will-have-ken-worried

[georgies31]

With rain now becomes a tight game.Pressure super important and nailing chances on goal and smalls need to do there job.

[mightytiges]

With rain now becomes a tight game.Pressure super important and nailing chances on goal and smalls need to do there job.

Yep.

It's going to be even more a territory battle in the wet. K.I.S.S. footy applies - work as a team, win the hardball, nail tackles, spoil their marking attempts, keep the ball moving forward, long kicking and no backward handballs. And as you say georgie, we need to take our chances on goal. Small forwards need to be front and centre to Lynch and Jack so they can either crumb or run onto the ball into an open goal if it goes over the back.