Grockadoc
Brownlow Medallist
- Jul 25, 2008
- 26,485
- 51,697
- AFL Club
- Richmond
- Other Teams
- Fighting Furies, Man Utd, Cavaliers
V
2017 Toyota AFL Grand Final
Adelaide v Richmond
30/09/17
MCG 2.30 pm.
Here it is, ladies and gentleman. The 2017 AFL Grand Final and it is shaping up to be a fairytale clash. The two clubs in the AFL who had the longest GF appearance droughts will face off against one another in an absolutely enthralling contest. It has been 19 years since the Crows have faced off in a Grand Final, with their last appearance being their second consecutive Premiership in 1998. It has been almost twice as long for the Tigers. Their last Grand Final appearance came in 1982 with an 18 point loss to Carlton, 35 years ago.
These two sides have been arguably the most consistent sides all year and the two best, so it is only fair to see them face off in the big dance.
The Fairy Tale?:
This game can be seen as a fairy tale for both sides.
Adelaide have suffered some tremendously difficult circumstances over the last few years, most notably the passing of coach Phil Walsh midseason in 2015. Fast forward 3 months later and they were informed that their best player in 2015, Patrick Dangerfield would be making his way to Geelong due to a number of factors. Having lost their coach who was adored by all within the club and their best player in a time of crisis for the Crows seems to have given the Adelaide Football Club a steely resolve. One that seems to have instilled a desire and hunger to succeed. A strength of character that has been forged in a crucible of agony, of loss and pain.
Purely and simply, at the end of 2016, Richmond were doomed to another few years of failure if media personalities and general football pundits were to be believed. Who could blame them for saying so? The club had come off an appallingly dismal season where expectations were high to finish 13th. The club was in turmoil. Assistant coaches were sacked, cries of Sack Dimma came flooding left and right from even the most optimistic of Tiger tragics. Even a board challenge to oust the incumbent administration was in full swing. Ultimately, the club managed to stabilise and, unbelievably to the footballing public, the Tigers not only made the finals, they finished top 4. Even more remarkable to them, "the team that chokes in September" managed to smash every opponent they come up against and find themselves playing on the last Saturday in September. Had anyone said Richmond would be playing in the 2017 Grand Final at the end of 2017, they would have been hauled off to the psych ward.
Last Time They Met:
Rd. 6, 2017 at Adelaide Oval
This game was a tight contest. For a quarter. Richmond started off well, kicking 6.3 to the Crows 5.0 to take a 9 point lead into the first change. Unfortunately, that was where the competitiveness stopped for the Tigers. 16 goals to 4 after quarter time saw that Crows run out big winners by 76 points, 140 to 64. For the Crows, Taylor Walker (5 Goals), Rory Sloane (33 Disposals, 3 Goals) and Matt Crouch (38 Disposals, 1 goal) were all outstanding. For the Tigers, Trent Cotchin (26 disposals, 11 tackles), Dustin Martin (25 disposals, 1 goal) and Kane Lambert (24 Disposals, 1 goal) were their best in a one sided contest.
Statistical Rankings:
Key Matchups:
Taylor Walker V David Astbury
Taylor Walker has had a sensational 2017 season, capped off by being voted Captain of the Year and an inclusion in the 2017 All Australian 40 man squad. The hard working forward is averaging 15 disposals, 6 marks and a little over 2 goals a game. He is a vital cog in the Crows transition game, often the focal point at Centre Half Forward, or as a target man inside 50. David Astbury has been in terrific form this season and is arguably the Tigers most improved player. He is the Tigers best one on one stopper and often takes the opposition teams strongest forward. Astbury, according to Champion Data, is the 4th best defensive player in the AFL in regards to defensive contests won, so whoever he plays on will be in for a tough day. Astbury however, is not known as a very mobile defender. He uses his size and strength to win his contests, something Walker is also known to do. Should Walker choose to go down this route, he is giving Astbury a very solid shot at spoiling the ball. However, if he uses his athleticism to push up the ground, Astbury will not be able to cover and will need the work of Alex Rance to cover, leaving players such as Tom Lynch or Josh Jenkins with a height mismatch.
Daniel Talia V Jack Riewoldt
Jack Riewoldt is the Tigers number 1 focal point inside 50. This is obviously the case as the Tigers have not got a genuine second tall forward target to go to. However, the marking prowess of Jacob Townsend and Josh Caddy have provided some relief to Jack. Jack, despite not having a fellow key forward has had a solid 2017 season. He is averaging 13 disposals, 6 marks and a little under 2 and a half goals a game. Daniel Talia is almost certain to get the job on Riewoldt. He is rated as the best 1 on 1 stopper according to Champion Data in regards to defensive contests won. He is very strong through the body but, like Astbury, is susceptible against mobile key forwards. If Jack does not move around and instead chooses to wrestle, Talia will have his measure. If however, Jack uses his work rate, Talia may struggle to contain Jack, and will need to rely on players such as Hartigan and Lever to cover for him.
Rory Sloane V Trent Cotchin
The two sides premier in and under midfielders will be the ones getting their hands dirty to get the ball out to their outside midfielders to set up attacking drives from the stoppage. Both players have had an excellent 2017 season. Sloane was included in the 40 man All Australian Squad, and, for many, Cotchin was a shock exclusion. Both players are hybrid midfielders and can play inside and outside and also go forward and hit the scoreboard. Comparing the two, their stats are almost identical, with Cotchin averaging more marks, and Sloane averaging more tackles. Whichever player can get their hands on the ball first will be giving their side a massive boost to winning the game.
The X Factors:
Sam Jacobs
Big Sauce is surely in for a big day. The Tigers in 2017 have been content to relinquish ruck dominance with Toby Nankervis to have his second and third efforts around the contest. However, this tactic could be a dangerous one for the Tigers as Jacobs is ranked 1st for total hitouts in the AFL. The Crows absolutely love the silver service that Sauce provides them and he is a huge cog in the Crows strong midfield. He could very well be the difference between the two midfields that look very even on paper. The Tigers midfield will need to try and nullify any advantage the Crows midfielders will have from such a dominant Ruckman.
Dustin Martin
The newly crowned 2017 Brownlow Medallist has won nearly every award the AFL landscape has to offer in 2017. He is, hands down, the Tiger best player and is being mentioned by some as the best player in the AFL right now, debate raging between he and Patrick Dangerfield. Martin is a complete player. Sublime footskills, hard at it, team orientated, he can play as an inside or an outside mid, or be a devastating forward, ranked number 1 for contests won inside forward 50 according to Champion Data. Dusty as a midfielder is powerful and hungry for the ball. As a forward he is a unique match up. He is too quick for a key defender to take him full time, but he is too strong and powerful in a marking contest for a small or medium forward. Where Dusty plays on Saturday will be a big talking point. If the Tigers are on top in the midfield, adding Dusty to the forward line gives them a very real goal scoring threat, but if the tigers are getting overwhelmed in the middle, expect him to play mostly through the midfield.
Where Each Team Can Win The Game:
The Crows are the number 1 attacking side in the AFL. They have been so dangerous from a counter attack using fast, hard running and precise kicking and fast handballs to players running into space. Set up at half back from Rory Laird and the terribly unlucky Brodie Smith, the Crows are the most dangerous side in the AFL, especially when they have space ahead of the contest. The Tigers have proven susceptible to being scored against on the fast break if a team manages to break through their zone, and this plays right into the Crows hands. With Josh Jenkins, Charlie Cameron and Eddie Betts not getting sucked into the contest, they tend to stick out the back and wait for the Crows immense pressure to force the opposition into a turnover and then break forward, uncontested for easy goals. It is a highly effective strategy and one that is perfectly suited to counter the Tigers high pressure game plan. Pure and simply, the more open and free flowing the Crows can make the game, the more they are likely to be premiers.
The Tigers in 2017 are the number 1 ranked defense side in the AFL. They play a high pressure, contested game that relies on manic tackling and pressing on the opposition ball carrier to force a turnover and then fast, hard running forward to score. Once the Tigers get it into the forward line, their game plan is designed to lock the ball in, and should the opposition clear, designed for repeat entries. The Crows game plan is the perfect counter for Richmond's pressure game plan, so the Tigers will need to close down as much space as they can and force the game to be a contested one. It may be ugly football, but the Crows are the best attacking side in the competition and thrive on outside runners and open space. Denying them the space forces them to play slow tempo football and they have several players with suspect footskills and players who panic. Another is to deny them the slingshot football from half back. Rory Laird is the Crows number 1 player for setting play up from defensive 50. Putting time into him, and not allowing him to get the ball, or denying him any space to do any constructive play will also go a long way towards the Tigers winning.
Final Thoughts:
We could not have 2 vastly different gameplan styles this Grand Final. The number 1 ranked offense with fast, hard running into open space playing off against the number 1 ranked defense who rely on high pressure, manic tackling and turnover football. Whichever side can counter the opposition's game plan will win the flag. The Tigers home crowd will also be neutralized due to the AFL's corporate obligations, so they only have they home ground advantage. A strong contingent of Crows fans will also be at the game. Question marks will be raised on how the Tigers endurance will stand up to the Crows gut running, and the Crows will also questioned on whether 3 games at the MCG against non finalists will have any form of impact against a great side on their home deck.
Tip: Adelaide by 27 points.
