Forward scout: Richmond v Geelong
richmondfc.com.au
Brian Royal
LESSONS FROM LAST WEEKTo be more competitive when we are in the game. I thought that when the game was in the balance, mid to late last quarter, the West Coast midfield took control of the game.
OUR BACKSGeelong will want to have a tall forward line with Brad Ottens, Cameron Mooney, Tom Hawkins and Nathan Ablett. It is important we get our match ups right on those key players.
THEIR FORWARDSThe main danger is their ability to mark the ball when it comes inside the forward 50. They also have a couple of good small forwards in Gary Ablett and Paul Chapman.
MIDFIELD BATTLEIt will certainly be an aggressive game through the midfield. With the game being played indoors at the Telstra Dome it is going to be a bit quicker so it is important that when the ball does get outside the packs that we are on to them first. Then, once we win the ball, we must maintain possession and hurt them with those possessions.
THE RUCK DUELThey have got Mark Blake, Brad Ottens and Steven King, so we are not quite sure at this stage which ruck combination they will be going with. From our point of view, they have a slight advantage only because all of their options are seasoned ruckmen.
OUR FORWARDSWhenever the ball has been going into our forward line, we have been looking dangerous and as if we are going to score. However, I think it is up to the midfielders to get it in there more often as currently we haven’t been getting a lot of inside 50s.
THEIR BACKSThey have only got Tom Harley out of the backline at the moment, so they are certainly not weak in defence. Their backline is one of the keys to their game; they rely on getting a lot of counter attacks and run from there. So, it is important that if our forwards don’t win the football they put a lot of pressure on when they win it, and don’t give them opportunities to counter attack.
A FEW STATSRichmond v Geelong: 2006
Round nine: Tigers by 20 points (SS)
Richmond win percentage
Against Geelong: 48.6 per cent
At Telstra Dome: 42.22 per cent
MATCH NOTEThe Tigers have won their last three matches at the Telstra Dome, while Geelong has lost three of their last four contests there.
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