Richmond vs Port Adelaide - Etihad Stadium - Sunday
Richmond 15th - 6-15 - 71.97%
Port Adelaide 10th - 9-12 - 80.91%
The curtain will come down for one of the modern era's finest players this Sunday with Ben Cousins bowing out on his own terms.
With the release of the documentary this week the 2005 Brownlow Medalist has been the talk of the town and make no mistake he will play this week despite the words coming out of the club.
For his Richmond side it is the chance to put a final full stop on what has been an ultimately positive season in which they have exceeded the expectations of almost everyone.
For Port Adelaide it is the chance to continue their ressurection on season 2010 and produce a fifth win from six starts.
Matthew Primus will coach Port Adelaide next year there is little doubt about that, and so he should given his recent results.
Port Adelaide's season was spiralling out of control at Round 15 but since then with the exception of a horrendous defeat to St.Kilda at Etihad Stadium the Power have been very impressive.
Admittedly all four of their victories have come at Aami Stadium but it's been the hunger and commitment that has really stood out.
Matthew Primus would be eager to win a game on the road though and if they do they could conceivably finish as high as 9th which would be a fair recovery.
Brett Ebert this week successfully underwent LARS surgery on his badly damaged knee but his absence will rob them off some firepower no doubt, but with Jay Schulz eager to perform against his old side, Westhoff and Grey in form they still have the tools to kick a winning score.
In the last six weeks Port Adelaide have averaged just 46 Inside fifties a game which ranks last yet they have won four of those games which suggests a new efficiency in their playing style.
They have also won the inside fifty count just three times from their nine interstate trips this year which further emphasises that trend.
Last week they scored 71 points directly from Melbourne turnovers which was their best differential this season and Richmond can be sloppy by foot so they will be looking to hurt them at all times.
For Richmond, last week was a pleasing performance despite the 21 point loss to St.Kilda and they would have been particularly happy with their ability to hurt the Saints on the counter attack, and the fact they maintained the pressure all day.
Even when St.Kilda opened up a 37 point buffer in the final term the Tigers kept coming and had the last six scoring shots of the game.
They scored ten goals from St.Kilda turnovers and they also recorded their highest disposal efficiency of the season in what was a strangely open game.
Both sides played quite a free flowing style and it suited Richmond's style down to the ground.
This year Richmond rank third for tackles, third for clearances but last for disposal efficiency so if they can sharpen up then the results should start to come.
It is easier said then done though and I'm sure Hardwick is aware of the work required and won't be getting ahead of himself by any means.
Daniel Jackson will miss again with injury but the inclusion of Trent Cotchin was really positive last week with his class around the stoppages so crucial.
He kicked two very nice goals and used the ball sublimely and his assistance at the stoppages for Cousins, Tuck, Martin and co is so important.
If you add a fit Jackson and Foley to that group it's no surprise as to why there are so many wraps on their midfield.
Then there's Ben Cousins. The story about his second chance at football is about far more then sport, it's about potentially saving his life and reaching out for him in his time of need.
A guy that gave the game so much was brought back into the footballing family at his time of need and if you hear from Ben and his father Bryan in that documentary you get an understanding for how significant it was that they gave him that lifeline.
He will forever hold a special love for the Richmond football club and that will be a telling factor on Sunday.
His teammates have a wonderful repour with him and he has taught them plenty over the two years.
Whilst the partnership maybe not have been immensely successful on field in terms of wins and losses, the impression he has left on his some of his teammates will be telling.
Expect a big crowd to show up Sunday to wrap up one of the most controversial yet brilliant football careers.
A few weeks ago I pictured this game panning out like the Hawthorn v Geelong clash in Round 22 of 2006 with a young emerging side smashing a team that had faced much scrutiny all year for under achieving.
I could see Richmond doing that to Port Adelaide, but the Power have experienced a ressurection of their own in the past six weeks and will be keen to finish the year strongly.
However I still think this will be Richmond's day.
With a big crowd in support, some young kids playing with confidence and the incentive to send Ben Cousins off in style I think it will be a fitting end for the number 32.
Send him off in style they will, and win number seven will be forthcoming for Dimma's men.
Richmond by 28 points
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Preview- Western Bulldogs vs Essendon - Round 22
Western Bulldogs vs Essendon - Etihad Stadium - Saturday Night
Western Bulldogs -4th - 13-8-124.82%
Essendon - 14th - 7-14 - 80.70%
Will this be the last time Matthew Knights coaches the Bombers? And are the Bulldogs done in 2010?
These two questions are the main focus points in another week both of these clubs would rather forget.
For Essendon, one last chance at pride presents itself this saturday night when they take on the Western Bulldogs whilst for the Dogs it is a chance to desperately find some form before a monumental assignment in week one of the finals.
Down at Windy Hill, scrutiny has once again been placed on Matthew Knights on the back of another dissapointing loss, this time to a Brisbane side that has struggled for most of the year.
Supporters have been hammering talkback radio calling for Knights head, and some extending that anger towards the board as well.
Say what you like about Essendon, the situation at present is probably untenable even if elements of the criticism are unfair.
Matthew Lloyd made the point in regards to defence in that to be a very good side you need to develop a strong defensive component to your game and sadly for the Bombers they have been unable to do so under Knights duration as coach.
In 2008 they conceeded more points then any other side, last year they conceeded the fifth most, and this season they are back to the most conceeded and this is an area you would want to see some improvement in.
Essendon conceed more inside fifties then anyone else, a higher percentage of marks once inside fifty then any one, the most effective disposals and the most points directly from stoppages.
This indicates that it probably isn't the fault of actual defence, but more a by product of the side's horrendous ability to apply pressure and restrict opposition ball carriers.
Too often teams get easy ball against Essendon and can execute under little pressure going forward.
The Bombers desperately need more clearance support for Jobe Watson who flies the flag in there, and it's pleasing that Mark McVeigh has signed on for a further two years to add some experience, even if he is likely to play out time in defence.
The question needs to be asked though, is it Knight's coaching? Or does he simply not have the cattle to execute a more defensive style of footy?
I think it is probably a combination of both but my main issue is the Bombers fans are destroying their own club due to a misguided sense of expectation.
Essendon fans through no fault of their own had been spoon fed success for nearly two and a half decades under Kevin Sheedy and there tends to be a total lack of tolerance to the work required in a rebuild.
Matthew Knights has been there three years. Some see that as long enough to turn them back into a force, but when you consider how appaling the list was when he took over surely people can cut him a degree of slack?
On the field the positives this year have been Carlisle, Hardingham, Gumbleton, Colyer, Melksham, Howlett, Hooker and probably Ryder.
Essendon's list has improved a lot in recent years and they should be optimistic going forward over the next few years whether Knights is coach or not.
Their opponents the Bulldogs have endured a week from hell with several big names succumbing to injury and a second straight belting on the eve of the finals.
Dale Morris and Adam Cooney will miss the remainder of the season, Brad Johnson could conceivably never play again and Shaun Higgins remains a source of frustration as he battles ongoing calf/illness issues.
On field they were trounced by the Swans and some key stat areas were particularly concerning.
The Bulldogs conceeded 104 more disposals and 82 more uncontested posessions to Sydney their worst differential in each stat for the entire season.
One of the strengths of Rodney Eade's men is their ability to win first posession at stoppages but in the past fortnight they have been destroyed in these areas and that's where their own lack of pressure can hurt them.
They rank last for tackles this season and have also caught opposition sides holding the ball just 61 times this season, the worst of any team in the comp.
If the Bulldogs are beaten in the clearances you can invaraibly say good night very quickly.
The good news is they play one of the worst stoppage teams in the league on Saturday night and it provides them with the chance for some much needed confidence leading into September.
It is nearly impossible to see this team winning a flag without Cooney and Morris plus possibly one or two others, but they do have some solid depth and they will carry a top four finish into September which always gives you a chance.
If they can somehow beat Collingwood in that first final, somehow, they will earn a week off, freshen a few blokes up and host a preliminary final and you just never know.
I strongly doubt they can still win the flag, and they may not have been able too anyway, but they aren't going to finish top four based on what they have done in the past fortnight, they will do it based on the previous six weeks of excellence.
Eagleton, Moles, Hill etc are going to have to step up and assume the responsibility left behind by these guys and it poses unwanted headaches for the coaching staff.
Rodney Eade will be aware of the fact Essendon got hold of them last time and the strange enigma with the Dons is that five of their seven wins have come against top eight teams this year which would suggest to you that they can play.
Consistency for both of these teams is probably the big issue, but the Bulldogs boast more depth and a greater spread of options at both ends of the ground.
In particular though it's ther numbers through the middle, even without Cooney that should have too much for the tired Bombers.
In what could be the end of the road for Knights, there will be no fairytale, and for the Bulldogs a bit of hope before it all really hots up!
Bulldogs by 27 points
Western Bulldogs -4th - 13-8-124.82%
Essendon - 14th - 7-14 - 80.70%
Will this be the last time Matthew Knights coaches the Bombers? And are the Bulldogs done in 2010?
These two questions are the main focus points in another week both of these clubs would rather forget.
For Essendon, one last chance at pride presents itself this saturday night when they take on the Western Bulldogs whilst for the Dogs it is a chance to desperately find some form before a monumental assignment in week one of the finals.
Down at Windy Hill, scrutiny has once again been placed on Matthew Knights on the back of another dissapointing loss, this time to a Brisbane side that has struggled for most of the year.
Supporters have been hammering talkback radio calling for Knights head, and some extending that anger towards the board as well.
Say what you like about Essendon, the situation at present is probably untenable even if elements of the criticism are unfair.
Matthew Lloyd made the point in regards to defence in that to be a very good side you need to develop a strong defensive component to your game and sadly for the Bombers they have been unable to do so under Knights duration as coach.
In 2008 they conceeded more points then any other side, last year they conceeded the fifth most, and this season they are back to the most conceeded and this is an area you would want to see some improvement in.
Essendon conceed more inside fifties then anyone else, a higher percentage of marks once inside fifty then any one, the most effective disposals and the most points directly from stoppages.
This indicates that it probably isn't the fault of actual defence, but more a by product of the side's horrendous ability to apply pressure and restrict opposition ball carriers.
Too often teams get easy ball against Essendon and can execute under little pressure going forward.
The Bombers desperately need more clearance support for Jobe Watson who flies the flag in there, and it's pleasing that Mark McVeigh has signed on for a further two years to add some experience, even if he is likely to play out time in defence.
The question needs to be asked though, is it Knight's coaching? Or does he simply not have the cattle to execute a more defensive style of footy?
I think it is probably a combination of both but my main issue is the Bombers fans are destroying their own club due to a misguided sense of expectation.
Essendon fans through no fault of their own had been spoon fed success for nearly two and a half decades under Kevin Sheedy and there tends to be a total lack of tolerance to the work required in a rebuild.
Matthew Knights has been there three years. Some see that as long enough to turn them back into a force, but when you consider how appaling the list was when he took over surely people can cut him a degree of slack?
On the field the positives this year have been Carlisle, Hardingham, Gumbleton, Colyer, Melksham, Howlett, Hooker and probably Ryder.
Essendon's list has improved a lot in recent years and they should be optimistic going forward over the next few years whether Knights is coach or not.
Their opponents the Bulldogs have endured a week from hell with several big names succumbing to injury and a second straight belting on the eve of the finals.
Dale Morris and Adam Cooney will miss the remainder of the season, Brad Johnson could conceivably never play again and Shaun Higgins remains a source of frustration as he battles ongoing calf/illness issues.
On field they were trounced by the Swans and some key stat areas were particularly concerning.
The Bulldogs conceeded 104 more disposals and 82 more uncontested posessions to Sydney their worst differential in each stat for the entire season.
One of the strengths of Rodney Eade's men is their ability to win first posession at stoppages but in the past fortnight they have been destroyed in these areas and that's where their own lack of pressure can hurt them.
They rank last for tackles this season and have also caught opposition sides holding the ball just 61 times this season, the worst of any team in the comp.
If the Bulldogs are beaten in the clearances you can invaraibly say good night very quickly.
The good news is they play one of the worst stoppage teams in the league on Saturday night and it provides them with the chance for some much needed confidence leading into September.
It is nearly impossible to see this team winning a flag without Cooney and Morris plus possibly one or two others, but they do have some solid depth and they will carry a top four finish into September which always gives you a chance.
If they can somehow beat Collingwood in that first final, somehow, they will earn a week off, freshen a few blokes up and host a preliminary final and you just never know.
I strongly doubt they can still win the flag, and they may not have been able too anyway, but they aren't going to finish top four based on what they have done in the past fortnight, they will do it based on the previous six weeks of excellence.
Eagleton, Moles, Hill etc are going to have to step up and assume the responsibility left behind by these guys and it poses unwanted headaches for the coaching staff.
Rodney Eade will be aware of the fact Essendon got hold of them last time and the strange enigma with the Dons is that five of their seven wins have come against top eight teams this year which would suggest to you that they can play.
Consistency for both of these teams is probably the big issue, but the Bulldogs boast more depth and a greater spread of options at both ends of the ground.
In particular though it's ther numbers through the middle, even without Cooney that should have too much for the tired Bombers.
In what could be the end of the road for Knights, there will be no fairytale, and for the Bulldogs a bit of hope before it all really hots up!
Bulldogs by 27 points
Preview - Adelaide vs St.Kilda - Round 22
Adelaide vs St.Kilda - Aami Stadium - Saturday
Adelaide - 12th - 8-13 - 92.64%
St.Kilda - 3rd - 15-5-1 - 124.38%
Adelaide and St.Kilda will lock horns at the unusual time of 3:40 on a Saturday in what looms as an intriguing Round 22 Clash.
For St.Kilda, week one of the finals is confirmed and they will meet the Cats the following Saturday in an enormous game.
For Adelaide a trying and fascinating season will end with the club farewelling up to four of their finest servants.
Premiership stars Andrew Mcleod, Simon Goodwin and Tyson Edwards have all given it away this season, as has high flying forward Brett Burton and the sad part is due to injury, none of them will be given a farewell game. (With the exception of Edwards back in the middle of the year.)
However their presence will no doubt give all their teammates a massive lift as they close the book on a proud era for this wonderful club.
On field, despite an enormous injury list, the Crows have been very solid since that horrendous start.
Since Round 6 they are 8-7 in terms of Win - Loss, and have recaptured that dogged tenacity that was one of the cornerstones of Neil Craig's coaching.
Last week was a typical example, coming off a difficult assignment on a hot day in Brisbane they ran the might of Collingwood all the way to the line.
In recent weeks they have also defeated Geelong, and pushed the Western Bulldogs hard so they can certainly win this game given they have nothing to lose and the Saints have plenty.
St.Kilda will no doubt have a crack, they always do under Ross, but they are safe in the top four and you must subconsciously have an eye on the first week in September no matter how hard you try to avoid it.
Mackay, Jaensch, Henderson, Davis and a host of others have improved this side this year, and they were keen to make a statement to Nathan Bock and the footy world that they were very much ok going forward without their former star.
Their defensive zone set up last week was fantastic and simply gave Collingwood no run out of defence and restricted the way they went forward.
The Crows have lost the Inside fifty count in each of their last five games against St.Kilda, and 14 times this season, they have also laid on average 10 fewer taclkes then their opponent in each game.
Stats that don't look flash against St.Kilda, however they have been the best side in the comp for marks inside fifty per number of entries this year, and if they are precise going in, the Saints can be vulnerable.
For St.Kilda last week was a very open affair and a good hit out for the boys in what was a surprisingly free flowing game given the nature of the Saints style and the fact they have strangled Richmond on each of the last two occasions they met.
With no Jones or Hayes in the middle they had lost a bit of grunt and that was evident with the Tigers doing well as per normal around the stoppages.
Jack Riewoldt was isolated one on one and given the quick ball movement, and his undeniable class meant he was always a handful for Sam Fisher firstly and then Jason Blake.
Kurt Tippett has had a couple of good days against St.Kilda over the journey so the Crows will no doubt be trying to maximise his space.
With Hayes, Jones, Gardiner and Dawson all available for selection this week, St.Kilda will essentially only have Steven Baker missing from their best 22, and the nuggety defender will return in the first final the following week.
St.Kilda ranked second for disposal efficiency this year meaning they are lethal on the turnover, but also excellent at controlling the tempo by keeping posession.
This is also evident by the fact they only let sides play on from 35% of the marks they take ranked first in the competition.
Adelaide will need to be smart and pro-active as this year they have struggled against the sides that specialise in stifling run.
For the Saints it's largely all about injury preservation but at the same time you cannot flirt with form and no-one wants to enter the finals on a loss.
With Bock missing as a potential match up for Riewoldt you would expect Davis might get a go at it, with Rutten taking the slower, yet building Justin Koschitzke.
Johncock might get Milne with Schneider probably the difficult match up given his outstanding form and ability to push into the middle.
Blake will get Tippett, with Fisher possibly lining up on Henderson. James Gwilt seems the logical man for Taylor Walker given the size and mobility of the two is similar.
Clinton Jones will do the tagging role most likely on Scott Thompson who has been a star this year.
On to the result, and whilst Adelaide are certainly finishing strongly it has been an emotional few weeks for an essentially young group missing a stack of players and whilst they will be keen to send off their retiring stars, there is also potential for a let down.
St.Kilda are a touch vulnerable given the timing, but are also such a dogged determined group and I think they will still come to play.
I could see St.Kilda putting too much pressure on the young Crows runners and controlling the stoppages with some bigger bodies.
Should be tight, and dour but the Saints to make it sweet 16 and gear up for the mighty Cats!
St.Kilda by 11 points
Adelaide - 12th - 8-13 - 92.64%
St.Kilda - 3rd - 15-5-1 - 124.38%
Adelaide and St.Kilda will lock horns at the unusual time of 3:40 on a Saturday in what looms as an intriguing Round 22 Clash.
For St.Kilda, week one of the finals is confirmed and they will meet the Cats the following Saturday in an enormous game.
For Adelaide a trying and fascinating season will end with the club farewelling up to four of their finest servants.
Premiership stars Andrew Mcleod, Simon Goodwin and Tyson Edwards have all given it away this season, as has high flying forward Brett Burton and the sad part is due to injury, none of them will be given a farewell game. (With the exception of Edwards back in the middle of the year.)
However their presence will no doubt give all their teammates a massive lift as they close the book on a proud era for this wonderful club.
On field, despite an enormous injury list, the Crows have been very solid since that horrendous start.
Since Round 6 they are 8-7 in terms of Win - Loss, and have recaptured that dogged tenacity that was one of the cornerstones of Neil Craig's coaching.
Last week was a typical example, coming off a difficult assignment on a hot day in Brisbane they ran the might of Collingwood all the way to the line.
In recent weeks they have also defeated Geelong, and pushed the Western Bulldogs hard so they can certainly win this game given they have nothing to lose and the Saints have plenty.
St.Kilda will no doubt have a crack, they always do under Ross, but they are safe in the top four and you must subconsciously have an eye on the first week in September no matter how hard you try to avoid it.
Mackay, Jaensch, Henderson, Davis and a host of others have improved this side this year, and they were keen to make a statement to Nathan Bock and the footy world that they were very much ok going forward without their former star.
Their defensive zone set up last week was fantastic and simply gave Collingwood no run out of defence and restricted the way they went forward.
The Crows have lost the Inside fifty count in each of their last five games against St.Kilda, and 14 times this season, they have also laid on average 10 fewer taclkes then their opponent in each game.
Stats that don't look flash against St.Kilda, however they have been the best side in the comp for marks inside fifty per number of entries this year, and if they are precise going in, the Saints can be vulnerable.
For St.Kilda last week was a very open affair and a good hit out for the boys in what was a surprisingly free flowing game given the nature of the Saints style and the fact they have strangled Richmond on each of the last two occasions they met.
With no Jones or Hayes in the middle they had lost a bit of grunt and that was evident with the Tigers doing well as per normal around the stoppages.
Jack Riewoldt was isolated one on one and given the quick ball movement, and his undeniable class meant he was always a handful for Sam Fisher firstly and then Jason Blake.
Kurt Tippett has had a couple of good days against St.Kilda over the journey so the Crows will no doubt be trying to maximise his space.
With Hayes, Jones, Gardiner and Dawson all available for selection this week, St.Kilda will essentially only have Steven Baker missing from their best 22, and the nuggety defender will return in the first final the following week.
St.Kilda ranked second for disposal efficiency this year meaning they are lethal on the turnover, but also excellent at controlling the tempo by keeping posession.
This is also evident by the fact they only let sides play on from 35% of the marks they take ranked first in the competition.
Adelaide will need to be smart and pro-active as this year they have struggled against the sides that specialise in stifling run.
For the Saints it's largely all about injury preservation but at the same time you cannot flirt with form and no-one wants to enter the finals on a loss.
With Bock missing as a potential match up for Riewoldt you would expect Davis might get a go at it, with Rutten taking the slower, yet building Justin Koschitzke.
Johncock might get Milne with Schneider probably the difficult match up given his outstanding form and ability to push into the middle.
Blake will get Tippett, with Fisher possibly lining up on Henderson. James Gwilt seems the logical man for Taylor Walker given the size and mobility of the two is similar.
Clinton Jones will do the tagging role most likely on Scott Thompson who has been a star this year.
On to the result, and whilst Adelaide are certainly finishing strongly it has been an emotional few weeks for an essentially young group missing a stack of players and whilst they will be keen to send off their retiring stars, there is also potential for a let down.
St.Kilda are a touch vulnerable given the timing, but are also such a dogged determined group and I think they will still come to play.
I could see St.Kilda putting too much pressure on the young Crows runners and controlling the stoppages with some bigger bodies.
Should be tight, and dour but the Saints to make it sweet 16 and gear up for the mighty Cats!
St.Kilda by 11 points
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