Bock backed to stop Richo
Adelaide Advertiser
By Andrew Capel
June 03, 2008
NATHAN Bock has been anointed as the Adelaide defender to stop Richmond gamebreaker Matthew Richardson at the MCG on Saturday.
Teammate Jason Porplyzia says Bock - the early favourite for All-Australian centre half-back honours this season - is one of the few Crows capable of physically matching the veteran Tigers phenomenon who, at age 33, is having a career-best year.
Master goalkicker Richardson, who has booted 770 goals in 16 seasons, has been given freedom to run up the ground this year, making him one of the toughest players in the AFL to match up on.
Once a stay-at-home full-forward, Richardson has responded magnificently, averaging a super-impressive 19 disposals, 11 marks and nearly three goals a game to spearhead an improved Tigers outfit and make him one of the Brownlow Medal fancies.
His statistical averages are up a significant six possessions and four marks on his career totals.
Belying his age, Richardson has roamed far and wide, often lining up on a wing and gaining possessions deep in defence. For a player of his size (195cm and 104kg), his endurance is amazing and has left several opponents in his wake.
"Richo's been one of the really strong key position performers this year," Porplyzia said. "Certainly whoever gets him is going to be in for a big day."
Bock is that man, according to Porplyzia.
"I think Nathan Bock would be a good choice," he said. "He's been in great form and he's got that running capability to go with Richo when he moves up the ground. It will be a tough challenge but I think he can do it."
Richardson has looked as powerful as a laboratory monster this season, taking more marks (114) than any other player in the competition. He also has taken the equal-most contested marks (29) - along with Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin - and kicked 27 goals.
Richardson looms as the biggest threat to Adelaide winning outside SA for just the second time this year. Of their previous travelling assignments - against the Bulldogs at Telstra Dome, Hawthorn in Tasmania, Carlton at the MCG and West Coast at Subiaco - the Crows have won just one, against the Blues in round six.
"We haven't travelled too well this year, so it's a good chance for us to turn that around," Porplyzia said.
At home, Adelaide boasts a 100 percent record, winning six from six.
One key Tiger the Crows won't have to worry about on Saturday is skipper Kane Johnson, who injured a knee in Sunday's 82-point thumping at the hands of Sydney.
Scans yesterday revealed he has a slight medial ligament strain, ruling him out for three to four weeks. Porplyzia said the 3-6-1 Tigers were better than they showed at the SCG.
"They would obviously be disappointed with their performance (against the Swans) but they are an up-and-coming side which has been playing some good footy," he said.
"And they'll want to bounce back in front of their home crowd, so it's a big challenge for us."
Porplyzia said the 7-3 Crows, who have kicked an awful 14.37 in their past two games, would work on their goalkicking this week - "it's certainly not good enough," he said - but saw plenty of room for improvement across the board.
"We're still a developing side," he said.
The six Crows who represented the Dream Team against Victoria (Bock, Ben Rutten, Brett Burton, Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod and Graham Johncock), as well as veterans Tyson Edwards and Michael Doughty, have been given a few days off to recharge their batteries. They are due back for training on Wednesday.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23802012-23211,00.html
