Richmond vs Melbourne @ the M.C.G. --- Round 20, 2023

[one-eyed]

AFL Round 20

RICHMOND v Melbourne

Sunday, 30th July @ the M.C.G.

Start time: 3:20 pm


https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4953

[Tiger Khosh]

Certainly do look beatable atm the demons. Knowing our luck Oliver will be back for the game.

Think we should be playing Vlas fwd otherwise we’ll have may and lever intercepting everything rather than just Sicily.

[pmac21]

AFL Round 20

RICHMOND v Melbourne

Sunday, 30th July @ the M.C.G.

Start time: 3:20 pm


https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4953

What a crap timeslot for us country folk.

[one-eyed]

Expecting a crowd of 60k on Sunday according to the AFL website.

[one-eyed]

No Ben Brown nor Sparrow (injured) for the Dees according to Tom Browne on 7news.

[Gigantor]

Sure Ben Brown didn’t get lost during his run up?

[one-eyed]

Umpires for Sunday:

Daniel Johanson (6)
Mathew Nicholls (15)
Nathan Toner (25)
Andre Gianfagna (27)

https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4953#line-ups

[one-eyed]

Richmond v Melbourne preview

Andrew Slevison
SEN
27 July 2023

This presents as a fairly tasty encounter at the MCG on Sunday.

Richmond is in winning form having saluted six times in seven games, a run that has the club sitting on the edge of the top eight under caretaker Andrew McQualter.

Melbourne has won three on the trot to straighten things up after back-to-back defeats in Rounds 15 and 16.

Simon Goodwin’s side has been fortunate un winning the last two, coming over the top of Brisbane before holding off a fast-finishing Adelaide. Nevertheless, the wins have been banked.

Many would believe the gap between these two sides is monumental, however, only 2.5 wins stands between the Tigers and the Demons. A gap that is not insurmountable.

The Dees have had the Tigers’ measure in recent years, winning three on the trot after they had lost five straight between 2017 and 2020.

The key personnel Melbourne has sidelined - namely Clayton Oliver and Bayley Fritsch - gives the Tigers a sniff. They are playing well under McQualter and a win here would put them in a strong finals position, but their slow starts over the past few weeks could hurt them against a quality opponent.

Goodwin’s Demons are looking to establish a top four slot and with that dangling carrot they should prove too good… but just.

Tip: Melbourne by 8 points.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/07/27/who-will-win-and-why-the-predictions-and-tips-for-round-20-1/

[one-eyed]

Tigers or Demons? Richmond vs Melbourne: picks and predictions

Alex Donnelly
Codesports
July 28, 2023

Richmond’s season has some life in it after a massive come from behind victory over Hawthorn last week, but a sterner test comes here against the Demons. Melbourne are looking to lock up their own top four spot heading into finals as the Tigers and Demons clash at the MCG on Sunday July 30.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING AT

* Richmond has covered the line in seven of its last eight matches against Melbourne.
* Melbourne has won the last three games between the two.
* Seven of the last eight matches between Richmond and Melbourne have gone UNDER the total match points line.

THE MATCH-UP

Top eight and top four aspirations go on the line this Sunday at the iconic MCG between two of the AFL’s traditional clubs as Richmond and Melbourne do battle in prime time.

Richmond came from the clouds last weekend to beat Hawthorn by a point and keep its slim finals chances alive thanks to the three game win streak the Tigers kept alive.

The Demons have also won three straight after a four point win over the Adelaide Crows at the MCG.

The last time these two teams met it was a comfortable 96-78 win for the Demons, who trailed the Tigers by four goals at a point in that game.

The last three between the two have hit the total points under and that trend looks as if it will continue again this weekend.

TOP EIGHT THERE FOR THE SWIPING

Richmond, as it has been for the last few weeks, simply need to keep winning or the season is over. Taking on the Demons at the MCG is as tough as it gets.

In the last three weeks the Tigers have started to score freely, but the wins have come against Sydney, West Coast and Hawthorn with three scores of 88. 96 and 98.

It’s is a completely different ask coming up against a Demons teams that’s the third ranked defensive squad in the AFL currently, with Richmond only ranked 12th for offence.

Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper came across to Richmond recruits at a massive cost and its paid off for the Tiges. Taranto is high up in the Brownlow betting and has arguably had his best season to date so far. In 2023, Taranto has averaged 30.4 disposals a game and bang on a goal a game as well.

Importantly, Taranto has kicked two or more goals in his last three day games at the MCG, with 30 or more touches in five of his last six Sunday games on top of that.

Hopper has played four games back since injury derailed his season after a brilliant start. In 18 games at the MCG in his short career to date, Hopper averages exactly 22 possessions a game. He needs to go beyond that for the Tigers to have a chance.

LOCK IN THAT TOP FOUR SPOT

With a win on Sunday Melbourne will lock up a finish in the top four for the third consecutive year.

With that top four finish comes the all important double chance and the Dees will know that it all goes on the line this Sunday.

Christian Petracca has been doing everything he can to lift Melbourne: un the last five games he has amassed 139 possessions and 9 goals, which is a phenomenal effort and why he’s one of the Brownlow Medal favourites.

Simply said: if Petracca fires, Melbourne win this game.

Max Gawn could dominate this game with Tiger ruckman Toby Nankervis still missing due to suspension. He comes off of two brilliant games against Adelaide and Brisbane.

Gawn has had 42 touches and three goals in his last two games. With a career average of 16.4 disposals a game against the Tigers, this game looks ripe for a big performance from Gawn.

The Demon big man also looks set to be the All-Australian ruckman once again and a dominant performance on Sunday could almost lock that up.

VINEY STANDING UP WHEN NEEDED MOST

Jack Viney has been fantastic for the Dees since the injury to Clayton Oliver. Viney has added goal kicking to his repertoire, something that had been lacking in recent seasons. He has kicked a goal in six of his last seven games at the MCG, alongside having 25 or more disposals in his last six.

THE PICK

It’s the Demons: their form has been much better than that of the Tigers as of late and they should lock up a top four spot with a win on Sunday.

https://www.codesports.com.au/bet/afl/tips/tigers-or-demons-richmond-vs-melbourne-round-20-sunday-betting-tips-odds-picks-and-predictions/

[one-eyed]

Likely to be some showers on Sunday.


Melbourne forecast - Sunday 30 July

Summary
Min 11
Max 18
Showers increasing.
Possible rainfall: 0 to 2 mm
Chance of any rain: 80%

Melbourne area
Sunny morning. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Winds north to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h increasing to 25 to 35 km/h early in the morning then tending west to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the afternoon.

http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/melbourne.shtml

[one-eyed]

THE CERTAINTIES FOR ROUND 20 - Richmond versus Melbourne

Andrew Slevison
SEN
29 July 2023

Balta to take 6+ marks, have 4+ rebound 50s

Noah Balta is in some top form in defence for Richmond.

Last week against Hawthorn he took 14 marks and had six rebound 50s, taking his season average to 6.2 and 5.7 in those two categories.

Balta is the key in defence for the Tigers and his efforts will be instrumental if his side is to continue their winning run.

We’re banking on the athletic Balta to take at least six marks while providing at last four rebound 50s at the MCG on Sunday.

Langdon to have 20+ disposals

Ed Langdon has picked up 20 or more disposals in 11 of 18 games for Melbourne this year.

Four of those have come in the last five weeks.

The wingman has a decent record against the Tigers, particularly recently where he has tallied 82 touches across his last three games.

Langdon should again enjoy the vast expanses of the 'G and gather at last 20 touches this weekend.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/07/28/the-16-certainties-for-the-rest-of-round-20-1/

[Tiger_In_Sicily]

Looking at the results so far this round, and if Sydney keeps up the lead, this makes the game v Melbourne more crucial. Need to make a statement and win. Our destiny is in our hands

[mat073]

Conspiracy theory time - will Melbourne want to win ?? Finishing 4th and not leaving Victoria may be preferable to playing Brisbane/ port interstate.

[Tiger_In_Sicily]

Been a round of upsets. If we want it bad enough we will win. Cannot kick the ball long especially into forward 50. Have to make a dirty ground ball game and bring our premiership pressure to the table. If. We play our forward at all costs running game and not bomb it in long we will win.
If we play stupid long down the line crap they will slaughter us

[Tiger Khosh]

Hopefully it’s raining otherwise I still think we should play vlas fwd. their lineup looks like JVR is their only tall fwd with melksham their only other marking target. Would expect petracca to spend a lot of time fwd but even so surely balta, young, grimes and broad can handle those 2/3 between them.