Doc26
19-06-2013, 12:20 AM
Match Preview - Round 13 - Western Bulldogs vs Richmond
Where & When:
Etihad Stadium
Saturday, 22nd June
7.40 pm
Recent Scorecard:
Richmond 4.9 7.11 13.14 20.15.135
Bulldogs 2.1 3.3 6.5 10.8.68
Richmond by 67 points
Last 5 Results (Oldest to Newest):
Bulldogs - WWWLL
Key Statistical Indicators:
Disposal Efficiency
Bulldogs Rank: #16 (69.9%)
Tigers Rank : #2 (73%)
Contested Possessions
Bulldogs Rank: #5
Richmond Rank: #15
Uncontested Possessions
Bulldogs Rank: #13
Richmond Rank: #6
Clearances
Bulldogs Rank: #5
Richmond Rank: #12
Marks Inside 50
Bulldogs Rank: #16
Richmond Rank: #7
Inside 50s
Bulldogs Rank: #16
Richmond Rank: #11
Tackles
Bulldogs Rank: #5
Richmond Rank: #18
Preferred Changes:
In: Hrovat, Hunter
Out: Markovic, Addison
Suggested Lineup:
Forwards:
Dahlhaus Jones Stringer
Morris Rance Batchelor
Picken Roughead Murphy
Deledio Chaplin Houli
Centreline:
Macrae Liberatore Boyd
Ellis Cotchin Grigg
Backs:
Stevens Goodes Cooney
King S.Edwards A.Edwards
Johannisen Morris Talia
Conca Riewoldt Vickery
Rucks:
Minson Griffen Lower
Maric Martin D.Jackson
Int:
Smith, Hrovat, Giansiracusa, Sub. Hunter
Newman, Vlastuin, Foley, Sub. White
Where the game will be one and lost:
This will be a battle for midfield supremacy, and for us in creating legitimate forward options to put a winning score on the board. Richmond's midfield through Deledio, Martin, Grigg, Cotchin, Jackson, Edwards and Conca dominated us in our round 3 encounter and since this occasion they have added further to their depth with Foley, Ellis and Vlastuin, all now active in their rapid midfield rotation. Whilst the Tigers are not ranked as highly as us in centre clearances and stoppages they do create havoc on the outside with mulitple options presenting to provide good run and spread and when coupled with their high disposal efficiency, 2nd only to Hawthorn, is where we can be exposed. Restricting their outside supply will be the key factor in the outcome of this week's encounter.
We need to start to capitalise on our relatively strong position in clearances and around the stoppages with far better ball use on the outside. Being ranked 16th in both insde 50s and marks inside 50, with only Melb. and GWS behind us, highlights our deficiency and just how hard we are making it for our forwards. Not surprisingly we are ranked 16th in effective disposals, with Melb. and GWS ahead of us.
Whilst supportive of Roughead's role down back, this week there is an opportunity for him to add greater value at Centre Half Forward to help create a legitimate marking option whilst helping to give Liam a chop out against Rance and Chaplin. With the exception of Liam, and possibly Bob, our forwards in Dickson, Dahlhaus, Higgins and Gia were poor in our round 3 matchup. An extra tall marking option up forward might also help to bring our much needed smalls into the game.
Down back, the addition of Talia has provided us with some flexibility. I have him matched up on Vickery who otherwise would've been Roughy's assignment for the round. In only his 3rd senior game since returning from his horrific leg break, Dale did largely contain Riewoldt when the game was on. With 12 games now under his belt Moz should be able to keep Jack in toe given adequate pressure on entry is applied up field.
The key assignments:
Picken Vs Deledio
Not since Warne Vs Cullinan have I enjoyed watching one sportsman psychologically dominate one of his opponents as much as Liam has over Lids in previous encounters. You could literally see Brett's shoulders drop when Liam made his bee line to him. Whether due to Nick Lower's arrival, Liam in season 2013 finds himself in a different place, down on form and needing to lift as a senior member of the team. As Adelaide learnt the hard way last week, leave Deledio to himself at your peril. And as much as our MC may send Liam to Jake King again it is off Richmond's half back where both Lids and Houli remain their creative playmakers and must be contained. My choice is to see Lid's shoulders drop for one more time. Go Liam.
Griffen Vs Jackson
Our star performer who has now moved into the uber elite class of midfielder with his ability, through an increased workrate, to throw off a hard tag. With that said, Richmond will be working their hardest to nullify our standout inside / outside mid. Jackson will be their main man for the job but expect many to share the load to work Griff over. Jackson, known for his endurance, is also prone to turning the ball over in traffic. When we can, we must capitalise on these opportunities as they present.
Lower Vs Cotchin
A tough matchup for Nick particularly given Cotchin's speed around the ground and a workrate that is rivalled by only few others, and who will keep working into red time. I can't see Nick doing this one by himself and like what Richmond will apply to Griff we need to apply to Cotchin to negate his influence around and outside of the stoppages.
Liberatore / Boyd / Cooney / Stevens / Smith / Dahlhaus Vs Martin / Grigg / Foley / Edwards / Conca / Ellis / Vlastuin
There is somewhat of a contrast between our midfield and our opponent's for the week. Whilst we're ranked quite highly in contested possessions (#5), tackles (#5) and clearances (#5) and quite superior on paper in this area to Richmond (they're ranked last in tackles) they on the other hand are ranked second in the league in disposal efficiency and are significantly higher than us in uncontested possessions and marks inside 50. We have shown we can get first use of the ball, how we use it, and our ability to negate their mids from finding space to be at their creative best is largely where this game will be won and lost.
Minson Vs Maric
Like Griffen, Big Will is in career best form, pushing for All Australian selection. Given the damage that Richmond's now prolific midfield can inflict on the outside, Will will play a key part in determing the outcome of this match with the feed he can provide to our own whilst negating the influence of Maric in bringing his runners into the game. In our first encounter, I gave Maric the points with what appeared a superior workrate, often running off Will to create space. Maric, who has found recent form, will be buouyed by his round 3 encounter and no doubt will endeavour to work Will over again through hard running. This will be an intriguing encounter to see who gains control.
Murphy Vs Houli
Along with Deledio, Bachar Houli off the other flank needs to have his influence contained. Whilst blanketing Higgins in round 3, he also hurt us the other way with 16k/10h/6m and was in their best on the day. Last week against the Crows, he again was in the Tigers best with 17k/9h/10m and with Jaensch on him as a forward tag. Whilst not wishing to stifle our forward options I would give Murphy this key role who has the experience and class to match.
Prediction:
Our first encounter with Richmond was one of our worst for the season. I came away quite deflated with how our small forwards presented and how far we had to go to match it on the outside against an elite running midfield. Their midfield continues to develop very well and Hardwick employs a heavy midfield rotation of up to 10 genuine midfielders to keep them fresh. The make up of our team this week is likely to be quite different since last we met with up to 7 different players including Boyd and Johannisen and a string of new talent. Whether this is enough to shift the balance I'm not sure but it will be interesting to see how far we've come and learnt since coming up for the first time against a team for the second time.
Richmond by 27 points
Where & When:
Etihad Stadium
Saturday, 22nd June
7.40 pm
Recent Scorecard:
Richmond 4.9 7.11 13.14 20.15.135
Bulldogs 2.1 3.3 6.5 10.8.68
Richmond by 67 points
Last 5 Results (Oldest to Newest):
Bulldogs - WWWLL
Key Statistical Indicators:
Disposal Efficiency
Bulldogs Rank: #16 (69.9%)
Tigers Rank : #2 (73%)
Contested Possessions
Bulldogs Rank: #5
Richmond Rank: #15
Uncontested Possessions
Bulldogs Rank: #13
Richmond Rank: #6
Clearances
Bulldogs Rank: #5
Richmond Rank: #12
Marks Inside 50
Bulldogs Rank: #16
Richmond Rank: #7
Inside 50s
Bulldogs Rank: #16
Richmond Rank: #11
Tackles
Bulldogs Rank: #5
Richmond Rank: #18
Preferred Changes:
In: Hrovat, Hunter
Out: Markovic, Addison
Suggested Lineup:
Forwards:
Dahlhaus Jones Stringer
Morris Rance Batchelor
Picken Roughead Murphy
Deledio Chaplin Houli
Centreline:
Macrae Liberatore Boyd
Ellis Cotchin Grigg
Backs:
Stevens Goodes Cooney
King S.Edwards A.Edwards
Johannisen Morris Talia
Conca Riewoldt Vickery
Rucks:
Minson Griffen Lower
Maric Martin D.Jackson
Int:
Smith, Hrovat, Giansiracusa, Sub. Hunter
Newman, Vlastuin, Foley, Sub. White
Where the game will be one and lost:
This will be a battle for midfield supremacy, and for us in creating legitimate forward options to put a winning score on the board. Richmond's midfield through Deledio, Martin, Grigg, Cotchin, Jackson, Edwards and Conca dominated us in our round 3 encounter and since this occasion they have added further to their depth with Foley, Ellis and Vlastuin, all now active in their rapid midfield rotation. Whilst the Tigers are not ranked as highly as us in centre clearances and stoppages they do create havoc on the outside with mulitple options presenting to provide good run and spread and when coupled with their high disposal efficiency, 2nd only to Hawthorn, is where we can be exposed. Restricting their outside supply will be the key factor in the outcome of this week's encounter.
We need to start to capitalise on our relatively strong position in clearances and around the stoppages with far better ball use on the outside. Being ranked 16th in both insde 50s and marks inside 50, with only Melb. and GWS behind us, highlights our deficiency and just how hard we are making it for our forwards. Not surprisingly we are ranked 16th in effective disposals, with Melb. and GWS ahead of us.
Whilst supportive of Roughead's role down back, this week there is an opportunity for him to add greater value at Centre Half Forward to help create a legitimate marking option whilst helping to give Liam a chop out against Rance and Chaplin. With the exception of Liam, and possibly Bob, our forwards in Dickson, Dahlhaus, Higgins and Gia were poor in our round 3 matchup. An extra tall marking option up forward might also help to bring our much needed smalls into the game.
Down back, the addition of Talia has provided us with some flexibility. I have him matched up on Vickery who otherwise would've been Roughy's assignment for the round. In only his 3rd senior game since returning from his horrific leg break, Dale did largely contain Riewoldt when the game was on. With 12 games now under his belt Moz should be able to keep Jack in toe given adequate pressure on entry is applied up field.
The key assignments:
Picken Vs Deledio
Not since Warne Vs Cullinan have I enjoyed watching one sportsman psychologically dominate one of his opponents as much as Liam has over Lids in previous encounters. You could literally see Brett's shoulders drop when Liam made his bee line to him. Whether due to Nick Lower's arrival, Liam in season 2013 finds himself in a different place, down on form and needing to lift as a senior member of the team. As Adelaide learnt the hard way last week, leave Deledio to himself at your peril. And as much as our MC may send Liam to Jake King again it is off Richmond's half back where both Lids and Houli remain their creative playmakers and must be contained. My choice is to see Lid's shoulders drop for one more time. Go Liam.
Griffen Vs Jackson
Our star performer who has now moved into the uber elite class of midfielder with his ability, through an increased workrate, to throw off a hard tag. With that said, Richmond will be working their hardest to nullify our standout inside / outside mid. Jackson will be their main man for the job but expect many to share the load to work Griff over. Jackson, known for his endurance, is also prone to turning the ball over in traffic. When we can, we must capitalise on these opportunities as they present.
Lower Vs Cotchin
A tough matchup for Nick particularly given Cotchin's speed around the ground and a workrate that is rivalled by only few others, and who will keep working into red time. I can't see Nick doing this one by himself and like what Richmond will apply to Griff we need to apply to Cotchin to negate his influence around and outside of the stoppages.
Liberatore / Boyd / Cooney / Stevens / Smith / Dahlhaus Vs Martin / Grigg / Foley / Edwards / Conca / Ellis / Vlastuin
There is somewhat of a contrast between our midfield and our opponent's for the week. Whilst we're ranked quite highly in contested possessions (#5), tackles (#5) and clearances (#5) and quite superior on paper in this area to Richmond (they're ranked last in tackles) they on the other hand are ranked second in the league in disposal efficiency and are significantly higher than us in uncontested possessions and marks inside 50. We have shown we can get first use of the ball, how we use it, and our ability to negate their mids from finding space to be at their creative best is largely where this game will be won and lost.
Minson Vs Maric
Like Griffen, Big Will is in career best form, pushing for All Australian selection. Given the damage that Richmond's now prolific midfield can inflict on the outside, Will will play a key part in determing the outcome of this match with the feed he can provide to our own whilst negating the influence of Maric in bringing his runners into the game. In our first encounter, I gave Maric the points with what appeared a superior workrate, often running off Will to create space. Maric, who has found recent form, will be buouyed by his round 3 encounter and no doubt will endeavour to work Will over again through hard running. This will be an intriguing encounter to see who gains control.
Murphy Vs Houli
Along with Deledio, Bachar Houli off the other flank needs to have his influence contained. Whilst blanketing Higgins in round 3, he also hurt us the other way with 16k/10h/6m and was in their best on the day. Last week against the Crows, he again was in the Tigers best with 17k/9h/10m and with Jaensch on him as a forward tag. Whilst not wishing to stifle our forward options I would give Murphy this key role who has the experience and class to match.
Prediction:
Our first encounter with Richmond was one of our worst for the season. I came away quite deflated with how our small forwards presented and how far we had to go to match it on the outside against an elite running midfield. Their midfield continues to develop very well and Hardwick employs a heavy midfield rotation of up to 10 genuine midfielders to keep them fresh. The make up of our team this week is likely to be quite different since last we met with up to 7 different players including Boyd and Johannisen and a string of new talent. Whether this is enough to shift the balance I'm not sure but it will be interesting to see how far we've come and learnt since coming up for the first time against a team for the second time.
Richmond by 27 points