3 minute read
Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2020 AFL Season.
We'll endeavour to run through the form, incorporate appropriate stats and also supply a betting prediction which won't always just be who will win.
WESTERN BULLDOGS V RICHMOND
Wednesday 29 July @ Metricon Stadium
Football's maniacal merry-go-round begins three weeks of wall to wall footy as the Bulldogs play the Tigers on the Gold Coast.
The winners of three of the last four flags have nine wins between them in 2020 and both have definite room for more improvement.
Many of their recent tussles have been close affairs with the Dogs on the right side of the ledger of late including one which wasn't close - an eight goal thumping last season.
The Bulldogs played here last week in another tight game against the Suns and in truth they fell over the line.
The good news from that match was that while the likes of Bontempelli and Liberatore for example had an impact, they didn't dominate the match.
Younger lights like Caleb Daniel off half back and Bailey Smith through the middle got some control. The latter is playing well ahead of his years and is deserved of the high draft position that he was taken.
They must begin to kick straighter. They'd love their big men back to help Josh Bruce but have to do best with what they have.
Usually a great test each year is to face off against the defending premiers. It becomes a litmus test of sorts and a guide to your progress.
Well in 2020 Richmond has spluttered and wandered along without much confidence and clinical arrogance. After three wins on the trot and a feeling things were in the ascendancy, they ran into the Giants who did them over in Sydney.
Perhaps missing the safety of their beloved MCG where much of their success has been born, injuries have also created worries that are not easily overcome.
Never judge any team's ability without essentially their best 22 available. Richmond has not had the likes of Cotchin, Prestia, Caddy and a rotation of ruckman on a regular basis.
Continuity, something they have thrived on, has been lacking and that is hard to re-connect easily. And now the loss of Nick Vlastuin is another concern as he's been an intercepting rock down back.
That all likely contributes to the way in which Riewoldt and Lynch have not fired as much in 2020. Their supply has been more haphazard – bombing it in rather than lowering the eyes and hitting them up.
This will shape as a crucial game – an eight pointer if you will. The winner hurdles many foe and settles in the eight while the loser will be out of it.
The Tigers are ready to bounce into one now. While the Giants did win, Richmond were right in that match and it took one of THE most influential players in the whole comp in Toby Greene to take it from them.
They cannot afford to have to chase like they did last year with no MCG in their pocket and the probable finals hosting teams the ones atop the ladder in West Coast/Port Adelaide/Brisbane.
It should be relatively tight but Richmond to win.
Match Selection: Richmond by 11 points
Suggested Bets: Richmond @ $1.92
