Richmond the shortest-priced flag favourite in years and some fans are getting cocky
RICHMOND is the shortest-priced premiership favourite after Round 16 in several seasons, and some fans might be getting ahead of themselves. Who can challenge the Tigers and who’s faltering?
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CAN anyone beat Richmond?
Especially at the MCG? That might be the furthest thing from the minds of those at Punt Road, but is the Tiger Army starting to get ahead of themselves?
Some challengers are making their runs while September might be just a dream for others.
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JON ANDERSON takes a look at the AFL ladder after Round 16, and how your team is travelling.
1. RICHMOND
Not since Collingwood in 2011 has a premiership favourite been shorter after Round 16. And as their cockier fans point out, it’s all about the three-peat in 2019, not that the players work like that. Injuries: Butler (ankle), Rioli (groin), Graham (shoulder), Broad (cheekbone). SuperCoach: Is Dusty (99) on the way back?
2. COLLINGWOOD
Don’t worry about Cox’s numbers but concern yourselves with the increasing number of contests he’s getting to. And then there is Old Man River Pendlebury who just keeps rolling on. Injuries: Appleby (hamstring), Hoskin-Elliott (knee). SC: Pendles’ best score (161) since Round 15, 2016. Grundy’s (154) third 150-plus score of the year.
3. WEST COAST
The Eagles are importantly getting some games into kids, with Ainsworth one who can make a difference. Can they go all the way? Put it this way, would you happily put your house on them? Exactly. Injuries: Nil. SC: Redden’s 155 his season best.
4. PORT ADELAIDE
Again Power was solid without being totally compelling. Trengove used it well and other recruits in Motlop, Rockliff and Watts have improved this team. But to say they can beat the Tigers is stretching it. Injuries: Jonas (knee). SC: Big three recruits all good, Motlop (136), Rockliff (121) and Watts (96).
5. SYDNEY
The Swans have had just 26 shots at goal in two weeks, which is more to do with supply than forward 50m efficiency. So Heeney, Mills, Jack, Hannebery and McVeigh being injured is huge. Suddenly under finals threat. Injuries: Hannebery (calf), McVeigh (collarbone), Jack (knee). SC: Just 60 for Buddy despite four goals.
6. MELBOURNE
A live kill is just what the Dees required, just a pity they didn’t smash the percentage. Stretch brought some much-needed pace and efficiency while Fritsch continued his claim for recruit of the year. Injuries: Smith (hip). SC: Oliver (154) and Gawn (151) dominated. Eight Dees hit ton.
7. GEELONG
Reality says the Cats have been in all of their six losses bar Essendon so the commitment is there. And they are getting vital players back, as highlighted by Guthrie v Sydney. Eighteen combined Selwood tackles. Injuries: Nil. SC: Duncan (125) keeps flying under the radar.
8. HAWTHORN
Is there a slicker player in the game than Breust? It all seems so effortless. Liked the game of Morrison when it mattered in the third quarter. The glove Howe added attack to his negating. Injuries: McEvoy (cheek). SC: Breust (165) huge, one of seven in triple figures.
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9. NORTH MELBOURNE
The Roos’ draw is fair, their resolve is strong. So would yours be if you were touted as a wooden spooner. Now to stick it up ‘em by making the eight where Ahern is adding some X-factor. Injuries:Zurhaar (foot). SC: Thompson’s (139) fourth ton of the year.
10. GWS GIANTS
Based on the spirit the Giants showed, you’d reckon they could create some September mayhem, but they have to make it first. Greene, Cameron and Scully are worth three to four goals. Injuries: Nil. SC: Whitfield (113) among five to hit ton.
11. ADELAIDE
Wonder if the Crows joined in with the Tiger song, given they know it so well. Have you ever heard such a mind-numbing attempt at psychology? They don’t stick their tackles and they don’t run hard enough. Injuries: Talia (leg), Douglas (ankle). SC: Doedee (120) making a lot of coaches regret trading him out.
12. ESSENDON
De Goey played for the Pies, Fantasia didn’t for the Bombers and that could have been it for they were always in the game. Just got to get the ball in Saad’s hand more because the game changes. Injuries: Ambrose (hamstring). SC: Merrett’s biggest score of the year (131).
13. FREMANTLE
An extremely inexperienced group but you still hope for more than the Dockers gave. For too long they have been a very standard model, no fast glass, no power steering and no zip in the roof. Injuries: Nil. SC: Neale (78) had nine games in triple figures in his past 10 coming in.
14. WESTERN BULLDOGS
Not quite WTF but definitely in the ‘What The Hell?’ category, even if the Dogs had less than half of their premiership side playing. It now comes down to who wants to be part of their next crack. Injuries: Naughton (ankle), Hunter (knee). SC: Bont (67) disappointing.
15. ST KILDA
Admired the Saints’ grit to stay in the game but they have too many players who don’t play four quarters, including the seven who had four tackles between them. Still, they can claim some scalps on the way home. Injuries: Nil. SC: Armitage (115) the only Saint to hit the ton.
16. BRISBANE
Internally the Lions compare themselves with Carlton in terms of youthful development and reality says they are better placed with Andrews, Berry, Hipwood, Rayner and McCluggage. Injuries: Nil. SC: Beams’ 148 his best of 2018 and sixth ton in seven games.
17. GOLD COAST
The Suns require players that will bring fans to the club. Ask yourself which current Suns are in that bracket? Harbrow at times, Lynch if he stays and Martin should be but isn’t. Injuries: Nil. SC: Witts’ 129 his seventh ton of the year. Just he and Miller (109) in triple figures.
18. CARLTON
Five players with one kick or none at halftime which is actually quite hard to do given the way football is now played. The Blues’ forward line bares little resemblance to what an attacking structure should look like. Injuries: Phillips (hamstring), Marchbank (illness), Weitering (calf). SC: Thomas (110) the only Blue in triple figures.
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Originally published as Richmond the shortest-priced flag favourite in years and some fans are getting cocky