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.
ST KILDA V RICHMOND
Thursday 15 April @ Marvel Stadium
The narrative of the football community lasts about as long as a quarter can take this season – it really is hot take central.
That may be in overdrive after this game as we haven't seen the prospect of this for a few years but a St Kilda win would make it a trifecta of losses for the champs.
You can only imagine there will be arrows pointed out Punt Road way under that theory. Whether it is valid or not, it becomes the written storyline.
All of that is predicated on the fact that Richmond lose this game but that is much easier said than done.
With Maddie's Match as the backdrop, surely the home team are in the right frame of mind.
At least the Saints showed more this week even if it was for half a match. 33 down they recovered to win by 20. Seven goal turnarounds so late into a match aren't that usual. They become even more thrilling when a season could be on the line.
While the Eagles aren't the same away from home, it was still a gutsy performance to roll up the sleeves and right the ship.
Led by Jack Steele and with a few lieutenants willing to follow orders, they whittled it back. Crouch went tackling to prove to his teammates he is worth the dollars and Bradley Hill a bit the same with a rebuttal of sorts.
It also helps with a big man kicking the goals and Max King showed when he clunks them and kicks them, any side is better for a focal point.
Having a centrepiece also means all those little ground ballers are brought into the game. However they are a team much better served with two ruckman.
Marshall back (maybe) and in time Ryder when he's up to game fitness will turn them around. Again their premature death this season doesn't help those writing headlines once they win. But the ruck stocks are a long term key to their plight.
So then we must now turn to those same people for what we do to the Tigers. Whilst humbled by the Swans, they played well but just fell short in Adelaide.
Port/Richmond games are forever close so that was hardly reason to overly concerned. Of course it means one more game needed to be brought back to get into the Top 4 fold but they just missed.
There was a bit of a reset this weekend in game style across the board and you can sort of see that with Short, Houli, even Lambert and Baker near the top of the Tigers possessions leaders.
Moving the ball off half back makes for exciting play but it can also mean a longer, possession style. The Tigers wave needs to be re-upped for them to dominate and at times they will this year.
But there is the prospect others will ride that wave as strongly or stronger. Any surfers out there?
Dusty does miss having Prestia on field as another inside mid so he can roam. He was still an influence in Adelaide but not THE influence.
There have been some blowouts between these two teams at stages. Five goal margins either way of late might mean a close one is doubtful.
With that in mind the Tri Bet could be the way to play this game. Have more on the Saints but enough to save on the Tigers.
Match Selection: St Kilda by 18 points
Suggested Bets: Tri Bet STK 16+ @ $4.50 & RICH 16+ @ $2.00