AFL’s highest-scoring team meets best defence when Crows face Tigers
ADELAIDE is producing crazy numbers this season, kicking 47 goals in the past two weeks. But the new breed of Tigers are becoming the AFL’s defensive kings.
Richmond
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ADELAIDE’S lethal offence is the hype of the AFL.
The undefeated Crows’ ability to slice sides apart with slick speed and skill has seen them crunched into equal premiership favouritism.
The dash of Rory Laird and penetrating ball use of Rory Sloane and Rory Atkins has helped rock star Eddie Betts kick at least three majors each week, leading the AFL goalkicking table.
The Crows have slotted 47 goals in the past fortnight. Under coach Don Pyke, they’ve posted 100 points in 22 out of 29 matches — plenty of them cricket scores.
Powerful stuff.
But the new breed of Tigers are fast becoming the game’s defensive kings.
When the 5-0 clubs meet tomorrow it will be a battle of the most potent attack against the stingiest backline.
It is the best against the best and it’ll be localised to Adelaide Oval.
Unlike Adelaide, Richmond’s chart-topping rise has attracted little fanfare.
But the Tigers’ win against Melbourne on Anzac Eve exemplified their new-found maturity.
For all of the Dees’ early domination, they simply couldn’t break Richmond on the scoreboard.
The Tiger system did not bend. In the first 74 minutes, the Demons had 25 more inside-50s and dominated territory.
The old Richmond would’ve cracked. This one remained within striking distance.
In the final 50 minutes, the Tigers flipped the numbers and, as they got their game going, the scoreboard followed.
The Tigers began creating a flurry of forward-half turnovers, won the territory game and scooted clear of a brave but battered Melbourne.
Coach Damien Hardwick yesterday praised his team’s ability to stem the flow, and the Tigers are No. 1 in most defensive areas — including points against and ball movement.
They are doing a lot right and boast their best percentage after five rounds since 1967, a premiership year. It is why the number crunchers are Richmond believers.
Wander into a pub on Swan St and some fans might be thinking All-Australian Alex Rance’s form has dipped.
It’s a harsh assessment. This year Rance is averaging 8.4 intercept possessions (No. 1 in AFL for key defenders) and 2.8 intercept marks (No. 3).
You wonder if the club wasn’t called “Richmond” it would be commanding more respect at 5-0.
Hardwick swiftly recalled Steve Morris yesterday, perhaps liking how he kept Betts to two goals in 94 minutes opposed to each other in 2014.
“We’ve got some players we feel match up pretty well against him,” Hardwick said yesterday.
“His ability to win one-on-one contests is what concerns us the most.”
On Morris? “He provides a great contest and great pressure around the contest and they’re two of the ingredients we’re looking for to win the game,” Hardwick said.
The Tigers like to score from forward-half turnovers. It is why small forwards Jason Castagna, Dan Butler and Daniel Rioli have taken so much responsibility this season.
The Crows like to win the ball back in defence and open up the field in damaging fashion.
Some of the Crows numbers are crazy. Adelaide is scoring 87.6 points from turnovers — that single source bettering the attacks of seven clubs.
But Richmond’s opposing set of figures is just as impressive.
“If you allow them to play with speed they’ll hurt you. So we’ve got to slow them down,” Hardwick said.
He wants a dour affair, hoping to dodge a shootout. Pyke undoubtedly craves another episode of exhilarating football.
Who will get their game going at Adelaide Oval?
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