Gerard Healy, Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown & Nick Riewoldt on On the Couch last night:RICHMOND – ‘THE TEAM TO CATCH’For the first time in four years, Riewoldt tipped against the Tigers
Like many pundits, Riewoldt sensed there were signs Richmond mightn’t be the same threat in 2021 as it was in previous seasons.
But Damien Hardwick’s men on Friday night gave the competition a scary remainder of their capabilities with a brilliant win over the Bulldogs.
“I can’t believe I fell into it,” Riewoldt told On The Couch.
“They’re the team to catch again.”
Brown, who was part of the Lions’ three-peat dynasty nearly two decades ago, said the Tigers dispelled any concerns over their credentials in one half of football as they piled on nine goals to two across the third and fourth quarters.
“Everyone’s waiting for the cliff. I’ve been part of it and seen first-hand when it comes for a dynasty team … but they blew that away in the second half,” Brown said.
The Tigers’ pressure and thirst for the contest – two trademarks of their premiership era – was on full display against the Dogs, leading to a post-clearance contested possession differential of +10.
Lyon described the Tigers as “vicious and ferocious” without the footy.
But the Melbourne great did have this warning for Richmond as it continues its push for a fourth flag in five seasons.
“History tells you it gets harder and harder,” Lyon said. “Yes Dusty (Martin) comes back and (Dylan) Grimes goes out and (Trent) Cotchin goes out, so father time catches up and injury bites at certain stages.”
WESTERN BULLDOGS – ‘BIG WATCH’ ON THE BACKSThe Bulldogs could only protect arguably their biggest Achilles heel for so long.
Across the first month of the season, the Dogs had just 38 defensive one-on-one contests — the fewest in the AFL – but had a loss rate of 36.8 per cent — the worst percentage in the competition.
Wins had been masking that small knock on the Dogs. Then they ran into the Tigers and Tom Lynch, who kicked three goals from 14 disposals and 12 marks (seven inside 50, four contested).
On Friday night, the Dogs lost 57 per cent of their one-on-one contests, according to Champion Data. That’s double the AFL average.
“They got Tom Lynch back into some pretty good form … He absolutely dominated Zaine Cordy. He just marked at will,” Brown said.
“They had goals kicked against them by the West Coast Eagles tall forwards (in Round 2), so it’s absolutely a big watch for the Western Bulldogs. It’s got a little bit of Melbourne about it from 2018 when Melbourne were flying but they had issues in their defensive 50 contest.”
Riewoldt suggested some individuals had also been found out by the Tigers in the Friday night spotlight.
“I think it was an audit on their system at times and it was an audit on their personnel,” Riewoldt said.
“I’d be really surprised if we see Josh Schache stay in the team. He was non-competitive at times as one of those really valued members of the three-headed monster up forward.
“Jason Johannisen is the other player. He played majority as a forward and he just looked lost and out of position a lot of times.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2021-ladder-finals-contenders-audit-josh-schache-contract-tom-hickey-trade/news-story/9454b903fe501a805054da2add3f221f
