Dees’ old issue returns, Tiger cubs pushing for R1: What we learned from Melbourne v RichmondMelbourne and Richmond put on a scoring show at Casey Fields.
David Zita
Fox Sports
February 26th, 2021Melbourne did enough to hold Richmond at bay in an entertaining 11-point win at Casey Fields on Friday, finishing 14.9 (93) winners over the reigning premiers, 12.10 (82).
Despite the result, the Tigers proved they’re still going along just fine after winning back-to-back flags, while the Dees showed just how damaging they can be against some of the game’s top sides.
With the match done and dusted and one more pre-season hitout to come, here are the key takeaways for both sides.
DEES’ ‘RED MIST’ KICKS INTO OVERDRIVE ... FOR BETTER OR WORSEWhile the Dees were lacking some big names up forward, they were pretty well set in defence, which may’ve made some of Richmond’s transition a bit alarming for Simon Goodwin, even though their scoring power proved crucial to the win.
In recent times it has been Melbourne’s points conceded from forward half turnovers that has been a source of dismay for Dees fans, with the club ranking 17th in the stat last year, something only amplified by the fact they ranked 18th for forward half turnovers.
More than once during Friday’s game a Dees foray forward quickly turned to rapid counterattack for the Tigers.
On the plus side for Melbourne, those surges forward did lead to some damaging strings of goals when coupled with the Casey Fields breeze - with Richmond CEO Brendon Gale noting during the match the opposition was “noticeably quicker” as an outfit while Sam Weideman said there had been added emphasis on attack in the build up to the season.
Also a positive for the Dees is that, while their weaknesses may be similar, their strengths in sheer star power remain imposing - Max Gawn was dominant across the ground, Christian Petracca worked his way into the game and Clayton Oliver was right amongst it in the middle.
Importantly, all three hit the scoreboard, with Gawn having a chance to kick a bag if not for some wayward goalkicking.
It’s a fine balance that Goodwin will need to balance - and seemed to in getting the win on Friday.
PICKETT’S NOTABLE ABSENCEAs Hugo Ralphsmith made himself at home on the wing during the ‘A’ game on Friday, Marlion Pickett was listed for a run in the twos before coming on in the fourth term heading into game ‘B’.
Two flags from 20 games at AFL level is something Pickett will never forget, but his place in the side during 2020 wasn’t guaranteed and his absence from the top-level scratch match could be a sign he still has some work to do ahead of the season proper.
Pickett’s future isn’t in jeopardy - he signed a two-year extension at the end of last year - but his immediate prospects of senior selection aren’t as set in stone as they may’ve been at the start of last year’s successful premiership tilt.
For his part, Ralphsmith showed promise and his willingness to run during stints on the wing and in the backline.
The team sheets for the AAMI Community Series match with Collingwood next Friday will be intriguing as far as Pickett’s involvement is concerned.
You’d suspect Damien Hardwick would back in Pickett, but the Tigers have thrived on the ‘one soldier out another soldier in’ mentality in recent years.
JAKE AARTS WAS STIFF TO MISS OUT ON A FLAGThe meteoric rise of Jake Aarts took an unfortunate turn at the backend of the 2020 season when the 26-year-old goalsneak was dropped after the first final and missed out on a crack at the flag.
His performance on Friday morning proved he was mighty stiff to lose his spot, as the crafty forward booted three goals, the most of any Tiger, and looked dangerous whenever the ball was brought to ground in the forward 50.
There’s no shortage of competition for spots as a pressure forward in the Richmond lineup, but Aarts’ performance was surely enough to reaffirm to Damien Hardwick that he belongs in the seniors to start the year.
Hopefully for him, he’s there at the pointy end of the season this time around.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2021-melbourne-vs-richmond-practice-match-highlights-match-report-what-we-learned/news-story/1baf2279157db2bf50c2d8c20aada7fa
