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 ST KILDA

Friday 25 June @ MCG

It will take a bit to get excited about a matchup of a team within a dynasty versus a team who hasn't won since the show Dynasty was just a figment of the creator's imagination.

But whatever the anticipation (or lack of it), this is a very important game for the Premiers.

Richmond is one of the teams in the Eight who are being challenged for their spot. You would think it is Sydney who is the most vulnerable and then the Tigers and Eagles in that order who could be usurped by GWS or Essendon.

And while most would think that is unlikely, the Tigers are still 7&6 not 10&3 remember. It only needs an upset here or a shocker there or worse a horrible injury to a star and things change fast in this game.

You wouldn't wish that on any player but that is the reality of sport.

How you view the quarantining game from Optus two weeks back is done through the prism of expectations. Richmond played so well to get over three goals up well into the last stanza so that is very positive.

But then when you give all those points back late, especially as a well framed defensive unit, you'd not enjoy that loss. West Coast can be such a momentum side at home. When the 'Noise of Affirmation' cranks up, best of luck holding back that tide.

The optimistic angle from Perth was that it was Lambert, Bolton, Short etc that drove them on. Martin and Cotchin were held enough and they only just fell short. The loss of Lynch is felt most in these sort of contests as they lose that target whereby crumbs are plentiful and that is the Richmond way. They'd almost prefer a chaos scramble on the ground to a lace out kick.

They should still be right unless they drop weird games like this one to a team bereft of life. Certainly their football has been spiritless this year.

Off the hope of 2020, few would have foreseen such a fall from grace. Struggling away at 5&8 and seemingly to begin planning by putting away anyone who needs surgery, what is left for the now?

The Cairns debacle with Adelaide probably is so emblematic. Six goals up against a team who are well away from Finals footy and they give it all back when the Crows kick the last seven of the match. Perhaps as bad is that Adelaide hadn't hit the scoreboard until 16 minutes into the Second!

They just aren't getting the value for any command of the football. Nine Saints players had 20 plus possessions and they produce that. You have to expect ramifications will flow when no benefits arrive from any dominance.

It's like a cricket team who are 0-190 but collapse to be all out 235. The foundation doesn't stack up when we see the walls go up.

You simply can't see St Kilda as a chance to win this but, if they are, they must start well and make the scoreboard their friend. Back in Melbourne for the first time in a while helps but it is the case also for the Tigers.

Surely they just go for it. A negative game plan won't excite the players, leave alone the fans. And kicking 14+ goals might not win this one but it could aid in the psyche for those games to follow.

A wet night may preclude that from occurring but have a dip at it. It probably keeps the game closer.

Match Selection: Richmond by 25 points

Suggested Bets: Richmond 1-39 @ $1.95