Neil Craig wants McLeod to go head to head with Richo ---------------------------------------
Craig pencils in McLeod v Richo MCG showdown
Michelangelo Rucci | June 07, 2008 12:00am
ADELAIDE today could pit its champion Andrew McLeod against Richmond hero Matthew Richardson on an MCG wing and regard it as an ideal match-up.
Richardson has been in career-best form, averaging almost 20 disposals and three goals a game since being moved to a wing.
After a superb start to the year, McLeod's has struggled in recent weeks, with just 24 touches in his past three matches.
The match-up could free him up to return to his damaging best, and allow the Crows to leave Nathan Bock at centre half-back.
Bock, the logical match-up for Richardson, has marshalled the solid Crows defence this year -- and set up significant rebound.
When Richardson moves forward, Adelaide could assign Scott Stevens to man him up.
"Everyone has suggested Bock is the logical match-up," Craig said yesterday.
"Nathan could go there and do a good job.
"But Nathan has been very good for us in defence and he suits our structure. Andrew McLeod could play on him. Andrew McLeod v Richardson on the wing would be a dangerous match-up for both sides.
"Andrew has some speed and evasion. Richardson pushes forward quickly. (Adelaide captain) Simon Goodwin could start there. There are some varied options.
"We have huge respect for what he can do. But we also have some flexibility without totally disrupting the way we want to play."
Full article at:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23823924-19742,00.html
