Richmond vs Gold Coast PreviewPeter Williams
rookiemecentral.com
30 September 2022FORMRichmond comes into a home clash against Gold Coast with all the stars seemingly aligning. Returning to the scene of the upset of the season the Tigers produced last week against Brisbane, Richmond will hope to bring the same intensity and form against a Suns outfit that is yet to win outside of Queensland in Season 7. Overall, Richmond has put its two heartbreaking losses in the opening fortnight behind it to notch up three straight wins and move into the top eight. Gold Coast sit percentage – albeit 48.6 per cent – behind the Tigers in ninth, having won the three games in Queensland against a non-Queensland side.
WHERE IT’S WONGold Coast is very good at winning the ball at the stoppages and controlling play from the contest. The Suns are plus-77 in disposals, plus-18 in clearances and plus-51 in contested possessions, as well as plus-10 from centre clearances. That is a huge concern for a Tigers outfit who, despite having a star-studded midfield, have struggled in those areas. The yellow and black are minus-35 in disposals, minutes-18 in clearances, and only plus-six in contested possessions. Richmond is capable of hitting targets inside 50 though, with its plus-15 marks ranked number one in the competition, while plus-13 tackles is also impressive.
TEAM NEWSGold Coast will be minus injury replacement player Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster following a knee injury sustained in the win over Port Adelaide. There was better news for defender Daisy D’Arcy who had a minor ankle sprain early in the Power game, but played out the match and is predicted to be available for selection. Northern Territory forward Ashanti Bush was removed from the injury list and is available for selection. The Tigers have kept tight-lipped about their selection, with captain Katie Brennan a possible to return from a foot injury, while Rebecca Miller (hamstring) could be back, and Stephanie Williams – who hurt her knee last match – is also undergoing a test.
KEY PLAYERSThe Tigers keys will once again be their midfielders, lead by Monique Conti, with Jess Hosking and Ellie McKenzie crucial in winning that contested ball battle. The defence held up really well against the Lions in Miller’s absence, with Maddie Shevlin and Eilish Sheerin enjoying great seasons. Gold Coast have potential when going forward, with Courtney Jones always a threat, and the likes of Alison Drennan, Charlie Rowbottom and Claudia Whitfort cracking in at the coalface.
PREDICTIONThe response from Richmond will be the most interesting, because the Tigers cannot afford to undo their fantastic win over the Lions with a loss to the Suns at the Tigers’ home deck. Richmond should win given Gold Coast’s struggles away from home, but the Suns’ strengths do align with the Tigers’ issues so it would not be a complete shock to see Gold Coast cause an upset.
https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2022/09/29/preview-aflw-round-6-inaugural-showdown-kicks-off-back-half-of-season/
