Stopping Richmond when ball hits the ground looms as key to Pies’ prelim success, writes David King
THE word “chaos” has crept into the AFL vernacular this season and it’s appropriate to describe the scene inside Richmond’s forward 50. David King explains how Nathan Buckley can sink the Tigers’ September ship.
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The word “chaos” has crept into the AFL over the past six months.
There’s no better illustration of this mayhem than the three seconds after a Jack Riewoldt marking contest when the ball spills to the ground inside Richmond’s forward 50m.
This is when “Jack’s Sparrows” swoop in on the crumbing opportunity as the opposition’s defenders are still recovering from spoiling the marking opportunity.
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Riewoldt was targeted 12 times in the first final against Hawthorn and only marked the ball twice, but a major component of his game was to ensure Hawthorn did not intercept mark.
The Tigers had 66 inside 50m entries but Hawthorn only marked the ball five times, as Richmond achieved a season-high 21 loose-ball gets inside forward 50.
The ball lives on the ground when the Tigers enter the scoring zone, almost waiting for Jack Higgins, Daniel Rioli or Dustin Martin to arrive.
Richmond is the best team in the AFL for obtaining possession at ground level and it has kicked the most snap goals as its predictability and speed becomes a factor.
Collingwood will need to curtail “Jack’s Sparrows” if it is to achieve success tonight.
Jeremy Howe could intercept Collingwood to a Grand Final through his aerial supremacy. Howe spent time on Riewoldt in their most recent clash and maybe Howe’s fellow defenders need to trust him to get the job done in the air and not leave their direct opponents to support.
Tyson Goldsack could also match-up on Riewoldt but spoiling Jack and clearing the immediate area would be Goldsack’s modus operandi.
Denying the predictable ground ball drop zone would take goals off the scoring machine that is Richmond.
It would challenge the Tigers to find their goals in another fashion.
Nathan Buckley might just trust and challenge his defensive outfit to get their positioning correct as the ball enters the Tigers forward 50 and stay physical with their direct opponent. Small defenders need to deny the dangerous space, usually goal side, and take away the forward’s timing through bumping and bodychecking so the forward arrives too late.
If Collingwood’s back six cannot handle “Jack’s Sparrows” for the three seconds immediately after the initial marking contest in the Richmond forward line, their season will be over.
Collingwood’s performance against the West Coast Eagles was outstanding and its clinical dismantling of the Giants wasn’t accurately reflected on the scoreboard.
Richmond will test the Pies’ defensive integrity and I get the feeling this game will be in the balance deep into the last quarter.
THE BURNING QUESTIONS
1. Can Collingwood defend “Jack’s Sparrows”?
Jack Riewoldt is never out marked. Despite often competing with multiple opponents he creates a crumbing opportunity in adrop zone for a fleet of small Tiger forwards inside the forward 50m. It’s predictable and oh so dangerous close to goal.
2. Can the Magpies midfielders sway the game?
Collingwood’s midfield crew of Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams, Brayden Sier and Steele Sidebottom must stiflethe Tiger forward handball game. They must bring their best defensive intensity and an immediate reaction time with no lag, or the Tigers will be gone and at speed.
3. Do the Tiger defenders dominate?
Collingwood’s class players, particularly forward of centre, must execute their kicking skills with precision and/or composureto negate the Tiger intercept game. It is a massive ask of Mason Cox to ensure that Alex Rance and company fall short of theirworld record 19 intercept marking average.
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