Adelaide and Richmond to name Grand Final teams

ADELAIDE and Richmond have named their respective teams for the weekend’s AFL decider, with both Don Pyke and Damien Hardwick sticking to the old adage ‘if it ain’t broke...’.

ADELAIDE and Richmond have named their respective teams for the weekend’s AFL decider, with both Don Pyke and Damien Hardwick sticking to the old adage ‘if it ain’t broke...’.

Richmond forward Sam Lloyd looked to be the most likely chance of a late call-up after he was named best on ground in the Tigers’ VFL Grand Final loss to Port Melbourne. LIVE COVERAGE: THE FOOTY SHOW V THE FRONT BAR GRAND FINALES TIGER TIME: 29 REASONS WHY RICHMOND IS IN THE GRAND FINAL Midfielder Kane Lambert had some trouble with an ankle issue this week and was spotted at Punt Rd on Wednesday, a day off for players, for treatment. However, Damien Hardwick has gone with the same 22 players who took care of the Giants on Saturday. Shaun Hampson, Corey Ellis and Jayden Short are the three emergencies for the Tigers while Wayne Milera, Alex Keath and Reilly O’Brien are the unlucky trio for the Crows. There had been talk midfielder Hugh Greenwood has been playing with a sore groin and could have loomed as a heartbreak story for the Crows, but he was also on the teamsheet. GRAND FINAL TEAMS ADELAIDE Backs R.Laird, K.Hartigan, J.Lever HBacks P.Seedsman, D.Talia, L.Brown Centre D.Mackay, R.Sloane, R.Atkins HForwards C.Cameron, J.Jenkins, E.Betts Forwards T.Lynch, T.Walker, R.Douglas Followers S.Jacobs, B.Crouch, M.Crouch Interchange R.Knight, J.Kelly, H.Greenwood, A.Otten Emergencies W.Milera, A.Keath, R.O’Brien RICHMOND Backs B.Ellis, A.Rance, D.Grimes HBacks B.Houli, D.Astbury, N.Vlastuin Centre K.McIntosh, T.Cotchin, J.Townsend HForwards K.Lambert, D.Martin, J.Caddy Forwards D.Butler, J.Riewoldt, D.Rioli Followers T.Nankervis, D.Prestia, S.Grigg Interchange S.Edwards, J.Graham, N.Broad, J.Castagna Emergencies S.Hampson, C.Ellis, J.Short EVERY PLAYER RATED: TIGERS - Analysis by Rebecca Williams BRANDON ELLIS Has had a strong year as a link-man from half-back through the midfield. His dash and carry will be important against the talent-packed Crows. ALEX RANCE This year’s All-Australian captain and the league’s best key defender faces a likely key assignment against Crows skipper Taylor Walker. DYLAN GRIMES Has the ability to play tall or small and is the likely candidate to get the job on Crows’ dangerous and dynamic forward Eddie Betts. BACHAR HOULI Had 21 disposals against the Giants, continuing his impressive form since his return from suspension in Round 19. Spent time on the dangerous Charlie Cameron in Round 6. DAVID ASTBURY Played a key role alongside Alex Rance this season and will be critical in helping shut down the Crows’ key forwards, sharing duties on Josh Jenkins and Taylor Walker. NICK VLASTUIN The bearded rebounding defender provides attack off half-back, but could also be among those charged with keeping watch on Crows’ danger forward Charlie Cameron. KAMDYN MCINTOSH Provides strong run and carry. Had the 15 disposals against the Giants, but kept up the heat with his tackling pressure. TRENT COTCHIN Starred against the Giants with 26 disposals and survived the MRP fallout. His leadership and attack on the ball will be pivotal. JACOB TOWNSEND His scoring production has dipped in the finals after bagging 11 goals in the last two rounds, but will have an important role as a defensive forward. KANE LAMBERT Was among the Tigers’ top ball-winners against the Giants with 23 disposals, only behind Cotchin. One of the team’s hardest runners. DUSTIN MARTIN Capped a brilliant season with Brownlow Medal win after kicking the Tigers into the Grand Final with three straight goals. JOSH CADDY While he was the only Tiger not to lay a tackle against the Giants, Caddy has a key role to play as a second marking forward alongside Jack Riewoldt in small forward line. DAN BUTLER Kicked two majors in the preliminary final win against the Giants, the only multiple goal scorer behind Rioli and Martin, to take his tally to 29 goals for the season. JACK RIEWOLDT Has only kicked two goals in the finals series and Tigers will hope for more if they are to topple the league’s top-scoring team. DANIEL RIOLI Starred in the preliminary final win with a career-high four goals and looms as a Grand Final X-factor for the Tigers. TOBY NANKERVIS An emergency for the Swans in last year’s Grand Final, but gets his chance this year - and a critical assignment against one of the league’s best ruckman in Sam Jacobs. DION PRESTIA Started finals off with a game-high 31 touches and was again among key ball-winners against Giants. Also capable of locking down a player as he did on Josh Kelly last week. SHAUN GRIGG Averaging 23 disposals a game, Grigg has also spent time in the ruck to provide a chop-out for Nankervis. SHANE EDWARDS Started the finals series off well against Geelong and backed up with 19 touches against the Giants. One of the Tigers’ most experienced players. NATHAN BROAD Only played the nine games this season, but has impressed in the backline since pushing into the team in Round 17. JACK GRAHAM Lined up in only his fourth AFL game against the Giants. His pressure a key, with 14 tackles in two finals. JASON CASTAGNA Has kicked 25 goals for the Tigers this season, but his forward pressure is even more important for the team. ADELADIE - Analysis by Jay Clark RORY LAIRD Prolific defender is Norm Smith Medal material. Tigers have to shut down his kicking game. DANIEL TALIA Calder product destroyed Jon Patton and Tom Hawkins. Jack Riewoldt next in his sights. JAKE LEVER Could play his last game in Adelaide colours before move to Melbourne. Intercept king should relish big stage. LUKE BROWN Could you pick him out of a line-up? Unheralded backman will have his hands full stopping Rioli and Co. KYLE HARTIGAN Dustin Martin will look to take Hartigan to the cleaners when he slips forward. Hope he’s had his Weet-Bix. JAKE KELLY Won’t be worried about being overlooked as Pies’ father-son selection if he wins a flag. Tough-as-teak this kid. RORY ATKINS Pacey left-footer plays a key link-up role. Thinks fast and hits targets running around the wings. RORY SLOANE Has to be quelled for Richmond to win. Super courageous ball-winner seems made for Grand Final intensity. DAVID MACKAY Another one of Don’s delivery boys flies under the radar. Precision kicking-game is key to their forward connection. RICHARD DOUGLAS Industrious forward puts team first. Crows will count on his experience to calm nerves on big day. TAYLOR WALKER Has had that mad stare going all September. Will be physical on Alex Rance and David Astbury in the aerial contests. CHARLIE CAMERON Played the game of his life last week. But can he string together two blinders? Electric speed. TOM LYNCH Lead-up forward is the crucial connector in Crows’ game plan. Full of confidence after 45 disposals in past two games. JOSH JENKINS Former Bomber loves pinching goals out the back. Snagged a major in each of his past 18 games. Big body, big tank. EDDIE BETTS Cried tears of joy after prelim win. As crafty as ever, the livewire is dangerous from every part of the forward line. SAM JACOBS Has been huge in September despite the tragic loss of his brother. Shows what influence a top ruckman can have on a game. BRAD CROUCH Earning comparisons to Joel Selwood for his hardness and composure in the midfield. Gone to another level in back half of the year. MATT CROUCH Ball magnet got burned bad by the umpires in the Brownlow. But we know he is a star under the packs. PAUL SEEDSMAN Got booted out of Collingwood and has stepped up for injured star Brodie Smith. Has a lovely kick and run off half back. RILEY KNIGHT Hard-nut forward will ruffle some feathers. Keep an eye out for chainsaw goal celebration if they win big. ANDY OTTEN Spare parts big man has replaced injured tall Mitch McGovern. Cannot allow Alex Rance to control airwaves. HUGH GREENWOOD Tall midfielder will attempt to pile the pressure on the Tigers’ star midfielders. Gets in faces.

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