3 minute read
Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2021 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.
RICHMOND V SYDNEY
Saturday 3 April @ MCG
Whoda thunk this match would be such a succulent affair two games into 2021?
Given what occurred in 2020 at the Gabba, we're darn sure Damian Hardwick wouldn't have. That turned into something more boring than a Geoffrey Boycott/Chris Tavare partnership.
And even though he rescinded his questioning of the Swans ways in that game, little did the more recent Premiership coach realise that he could have lit the spark that generated a bonfire.
Wow have the Swans changed their method and their ways. They've suddenly found the corridor existed. The freighter stuck in the Suez Canal went straighter than Sydney has in the last decade or longer.
But there was a marked shift midway through 2020 and it has blossomed a year on.
Richmond would be loving the build up here. Had this just been a run of the mill match they may not have felt the desire/necessity to get up for it. But all the media and subsequent pressure will be aimed squarely, if not fairly, north of the Murray.
The Tigers look to be really 'struggling' chasing their three peat. Two wins, a good percentage and few injuries is only tempered by the fact they've faced Carlton and Hawthorn who don't appear Finals teams.
But Martin is engaged, Prestia and Cotchin are seeing it well and all the other Premiership players are filing in behind as they often do to generate the necessary movement.
Maybe we can say they are going too well too early? The rest of the competition can only hope that much because it's theirs to lose again unless bad injuries intervene.
Their defence is as sound as ever and what a match up that will be. Sadly Lance Franklin is home, but consider they will still line up against McDonald, Reid, Heeney, Gulden, Papley – talls, smalls, goal sneaks, great markers and kicks. That would test most if at the top of their game but the Tigers know how to quell and quell well.
Sydney has developed this transformation not just born of Academy input. Sure that has helped but the direct, fast flowing, sharp quality kicking began during their Hub life.
When you have kicks the quality of Dawson, Campbell, Gulden, Blakey and toss in Franklin whose as good as them with still Stephens and Ling in the wings just itching for their chance to show their skills, it's got many a Blood excited. This is especially since that hasn't been their MO for 25 years.
Tough, dour, contested, hard-nosed, accountable football has been the red and white way. The new outside run may mean that isn't as much required.
All that said, you still have to believe Richmond has both the finals style nous and game plan to put some form of clamp on Sydney. You'd love it to be lovely Saturday afternoon with a full house (as full as is allowed).
Franklin and Martin on the same stage would have been box office. We have to now think ahead to what might be longer term with the Cygnets in town.
Richmond's defence is capable of controlling any offence but can Sydney's do the same. Not sure of that. The yellow and black talls might cause one too many troubles down back.
The Tigers to win but you'd love to see it a cracker.
Match Selection: Richmond by 25 points
Suggested Bets: Tom Lynch 3+ goals @ $1.80
