Tigers want rain on Cats’ parade of stars

Richmond assistant coach Justin Leppitsch believes the Tigers vaunted system will enable them to handle the threat posed by the Cats.

Richmond star Dustin Martin handballs during a training session at Metricon Stadium on Thursday Picture: Getty Images

Richmond will head to Brisbane on Friday hoping the wet spell that has hit southern Queensland worsens ahead of Saturday night’s grand final against Geelong.

The Tigers are seeking to complete their first successful premiership defence since 1974 and will have their final training run on The Gabba before staying in Brisbane overnight ahead of the decider.

The Cats, in comparison, are happy to continue training at their base in Southport, content in the knowledge they have been dominant in five outings on the grand final ground this year.

A balmy night is expected in Brisbane on Saturday night, but the weather bureau rates the prospects of a thunderstorm hitting The Gabba at 33 per cent, with the storm activity most likely to remain inland.

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Richmond’s senior assistant coach Justin Leppitsch, who is leaving the Tigers after the grand final, said on Thursday that the wetter grand final day is, the better it will be for the reigning premiers.

The Tigers had a light run in heavy rain on the Gold Coast on Thursday but have proven their love for slippery conditions regularly in recent years.

“We feel in any weather we can play well. That’s the beauty of our game. It holds up in many styles. But I think the rain will help us, no doubt,” Leppitsch said.

“It keeps the ball on the ground and I think Geelong are a possession-based team. I think the whole footy world knows that.”

A statistical analysis of 2020 certainly supports the conclusion of the former Brisbane coach.

The Cats have had more kicks than any other side this year and rank second in terms of total disposals.

They have also taken more marks than any other team in 2020, which is indicative of their desire to control the football and choose the best option. In turn, this starves their opponents of the ability to win the football.

Geelong is also ranked first in terms of conceding disposals and marks to their rivals, which has made them difficult to score against.

The Tigers, in comparison, prefer to rush the ball forward where possible.

They are more chaotic than poised in their forward forays, backing the skill and creativity of players including Dustin Martin and Shai Bolton to execute when under pressure, as they have done so often.

When they clashed in round 17, it was the Tigers system which proved most effective in their 26-point win.

Richmond kicked one goal for every 39 possessions compared to the Cats 76 touches. But, as Leppitsch noted, there are some key additions for both clubs certain to have an influence on Saturday night.

Gary Ablett was quarantined down the road from Metricon Stadium for the home-and-away clash, while Gary Rohan and captain Joel Selwood were also absent. They add the cream to the classy Cats.

“The types of players that are in are far more dynamic and dangerous, no disrespect to the others that aren’t,” Leppitsch said.

“They’ve definitely got more potency in that part of the ground (forward line). We like to think our defence is a system as much as individual match-ups. It is a challenge for us, but one I think we’re ready for.”

But Richmond is also far stronger. Shane Edwards was serving quarantine alongside Ablett at the Mercure Palm Meadows Resort.

David Astbury, a key defender who also offers support to Toby Nankervis in the ruck, was also absent through injury.

Dion Prestia, who won the Tigers best-and-fairest last season, has also returned after spending time on the sidelines through injury.

Similarly to Ablett, all three Tigers have improved through the finals series and should be ready to perform at their peak in the grand final.

In grand final wins over Adelaide and the Giants, Richmond either boasted similar or vastly more experienced line-ups than their rivals.

It is now eight years since Geelong has played in a grand final.

But Selwood, Ablett and Hawkins are among their premiership stars and they have been regular finalists under Chris Scott.

“You’d like to think experience means something, but they are probably more experienced than us,” Leppitsch said.

“Maybe not on this stage, but their group as a whole is far more experienced than ours, so I don’t think that is going to be an advantage for us this week.”