3 minute read
Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2022 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 FREMANTLE
Friday 22 July @ Marvel Stadium
What a strange and quirky way to begin the run home to the Finals with a team who doesn't like playing at the Docklands against a team who really doesn't like playing at the Docklands – that said the western lads have been OK there of late.
Not sure how to assess the right sort of form lines when you look at these two teams but given the importance of the match for their seasons, they both better get their games in order.
Has Richmond gone back to their old Richmondy days? That may be just simplistic but having thrown away big leads to Sydney and Gold Coast in recent weeks, they were the opposite against of all teams North Melbourne. The Kangas were five goals up at stages.
But then once the train left the station and it was heading to Punt Road, you just thought the Tigers would run on by.
They did hit the front but amazingly the likely Wooden Spooners fought back. How did that happen? What was even harder to explain is having found the lead, some of the decision making was ridiculous.
Boy they really do miss the Talisman Dusty. Even if not at full capacity, the time and effort required to be put into him by the opposition means they use resources they need elsewhere when the champ plays.
It's hard to quantify how bad a result that may be in the long run. Other teams offered them the ultimate chance over the weekend and they lost to one of the weakest teams in recent memory.
Can they get back the mantle of hunger while facing off to a Fremantle side that themselves let a big opportunity slip. At home, admittedly to a good team in Sydney, they got the jump of essentially 4 goals but matters around half time could be seen as crucial.
After a tight, tense battle, the Dockers looked to have added a critical goal 12 seconds before half time. But it came from a dropped mark near the goal square from Lachie Schultz. What that meant was he had to play on rather than take the shot clock and head off to half time.
The subsequent time left on the clock allowed for a centre clearance and a moment for Franklin to take the pressure, go back and nail it. It seemed to rejuvenate and give Sydney some life heading into the long break.
After half time it was 8 goals to 3 and a remarkable win in Perth meant the Swans had won both 2022 games in the wild west.
While Sydney can project forward 12 or 24 months and think wow via Warner, who looks an absolute beast (Dangerfield-like), plus Gulden, Blakey, McInerney, Stephens etc, so too Fremantle with Brayshaw, Serong, Clark, Chapman, Banfield around their older club legends.
They simply need to get what is best out of them right now because any more slip ups and a Top 4 finish, recently thought of as assured, becomes vulnerable if losing to the Tigers.
And that is right on the cards if Richmond had gotten troops back. You could see them having one last shot from the locker. Oh they'd wish it were at the MCG. But to Marvel they head and that offers the Dockers some solace.
The team line ups are crucial. Assuming no late changes this Richmond team are still without Lynch and Martin but still need to deliver and now. Freo themselves lose Lobb who has been important meaning Fyfe may need to play permanent forward aside Taberner.
Obviously through their great era they'd have good records against teams but the defeat last year (4 points) was the first to Fremantle since 2017. In fact their last defeat of more than a kick was 2014.
Therefore we'll give them that last chance but only just. A hiccup like the last few weeks and that endth that. Some Shai Bolton magic is required. Andrew Brayshaw won't have two quiet ones in a row though surely!
Match Selection: Richmond by 5 points
Suggested Bets: Andrew Brayshaw 30+ possessions @ $1.90
