Mick Malthouse unpacks the match-ups that will decide West Coast vs. Richmond
IT’S only Round 9 but two teams have already separated from the AFL pack — and by Sunday night one will stand head and shoulders above the rest. Which mouth-watering match-up will decide Eagles vs. Tigers?
Richmond
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THEY come from opposite sides of the country and their game plans are an extreme contrast, but Richmond and West Coast are the current kings of the AFL jungle.
And I don’t see that changing.
My pre-season predictions had Richmond finishing the home-and-away season outside the top four, but still with a chance of a second consecutive premiership.
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For West Coast, I thought the absence of Brownlow medallists Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell would be too greatly felt. With the added uncertainty of how Nic Naitanui and Josh Kennedy returned from injury, I saw the Eagles missing the final eight in a rebuilding year.
I am happy to have been proven wrong on both counts.
Richmond has maintained its intensity and is perhaps playing even better football than last year, while West Coast displayed unified talent when it totally dismantled GWS last week.
Not much has changed for the Tigers since their premiership triumph. There have been few injuries, their game structure is virtually unaltered, and their hunger is ferocious. They have several superstars who are prepared to share the workload, and in this, there is a self-belief within the team in one another’s ability to impact the game.
The biggest change for the Eagles this season is their ability to win on the road. Several key players who had been found wanting in previous years when travelling have matured greatly. Jack Darling is one — he was outstanding last week. And Kennedy is getting better with every game back from injury.
The surprise packet is Mark LeCras, who at 32 I thought was on the cusp of being done, but is excelling.
Without three stars last week — Naitanui (unnecessarily suspended), Jeremy McGovern and Luke Shuey (both injured,) Tom Barrass, Scott Lycett and Jack Redden all stood up brilliantly.
The contrasting game plans will be intriguing.
Richmond is a totally different prospect compared to the Giants.
There’ll be no slow plays entering Richmond’s forward line. The Tigers move the ball deep and quick, with a lot of room to move inside the 50m arc.
Though small, Richmond’s forward line generates enormous pressure on the opposition backs, so Shannon Hurn will need to lead well. He is capable of that.
West Coast’s discipline has been its making this year. The Eagles’ forwards generally hold their ground and their backs don’t get sucked up into the play.
This should deny the Tigers an open forward line.
Toby Nankervis’s best-on-ground performance against in-form Magpie Brodie Grundy in Round 6 was one of the best ruck displays you’ll see. On Sunday the giant Tiger against Naitanui will be worth the admission price on its own.
Alex Rance and David Astbury on Kennedy and Darling, Barrass on Jack Riewoldt — the match-up potential of this clash is incredible.
But, as we all know, it’s the midfield battle that is most likely to determine the outcome.
Will Dustin Martin have two quiet games in a row? I doubt it.
Trent Cotchin, Nankervis and Kane Lambert are a match for any midfield against Andrew Gaff (an unbelievable supplier to his forwards), Naitanui and Redden. It will be a battle within a battle.
It is a test for West Coast against the reigning premier and a wonderful opportunity to find out where it needs to tinker its game plan — if at all — to get better.
How will young players Tom Cole, Willie Rioli and Jake Waterman handle the Tigers’ heat?
There is no such test for Richmond. It is already aware of exactly where it stands in the competition. On current form it will finish first or second, with the chance to play two MCG finals to progress to the Grand Final. I know that’s jumping the gun a bit, but that’s how much better the Tigers are playing than 16 other teams.
The Eagles should also be eyeing off two home finals. If they win today, then we’ll have found Richmond’s equal.
We’ve seen some tight contests this year, but whether they lived up to the billing of a great game is debatable. Today’s game will be spectacular.
It is only early days — Round 9 — but already there is a considerable divide in the league. Whoever wins this game will be footy’s monarch and it will be damn hard for anyone to catch them.
Source: CHAMPION DATA
Originally published as Mick Malthouse unpacks the match-ups that will decide West Coast vs. Richmond