SECOND DOMINO: RICHMOND (Saturday 4.40pm)If the Magpies win, they will be barracking hard for Sydney. If the Tigers pull off a boilover, Richmond will play finals regardless of other results. If they lose, they need all the other contenders to fall over to sneak in Steven Bradbury style.
Here are three reasons the Tigers can make it nine in a row — not mentioning their hot form a decent recent record against the Swans (it’s 3-3 since 2010).
1. MOTIVATIONSee above. Sydney is safe in top spot and is gearing up for a qualifying final next week — if it comes to the crunch will players risk getting hurt and missing that game? No such worries for Richmond.
2. A MARIC MADE IN HEAVENWe’ve heard a lot this week about the mouth-watering Buddy v Alex Rance match-up and that should be a beauty — don’t expect a bag of goals from Lance Franklin. But where the Tigers have a huge advantage is in the ruck, with seasoned warrior Ivan Maric lining up against first-gamer Sam Naismith.
The Sydney beanpole has a few centimetres on Maric but the Tiger has 130 games and nine years of AFL experience under this hefty belt. It gives the Richmond midfield a great chance to get their hands on the footy first — especially with clearance king Josh Kennedy still on the sidelines.
3. DUSTY AND LIDSRichmond was far from disgraced when it lost to Sydney in Round 14 but it did struggle to kick a winning score, booting just seven goals for the night.
Jack Riewoldt is fresh off a six-goal haul but will manned by Ted Richards so goals won’t come easy. Ditto for Ben Griffiths on Heath Grundy.
But the Tigers’ winning hand could be mid-sized forward/midfielders Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin. Both prove match-up headaches playing one-on-one and can kick goals from long range.
If one of them (or the underrated Shane Edwards) kicks three or four Richmond is a red-hot chance.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/three-reasons-your-club-will-play-finals-if-you-barrack-for-collingwood-richmond-west-coast-or-adelaide-and-everything-goes-right/story-fnelctok-1227041390238