AFL Aussie Rules
2011-05-07 - Richmond Tigers vs Fremantle Dockers
A Sports Betting Pick by Costanzo
Time: 16:10 AEST
Venue: MCG, Melbourne
This game could be a cracker with two very evenly placed teams. Both teams have shown a bit this season and I expect a tight one.
Richmond Tigers
The Tigers had another good win on the weekend over the Lions although they never quite kicked clear. This is something they will need to get better at. A win this week puts them right in the mix to consolidate a top 8 spot and show that they really are emerging as a serious prospect.
In defence Newman, Rance and Grimes will have a tough day controlling a Freo forward outfit that can be explosive up front. The running of Bachar Houli and Brett Deledio will help the Tigers out a lot as they transfer defence into attack.
Through the midfield the Tigers will be able to compete well with the Dockers in this one. They have Cotchin and Martin who are supreme examples of how to play as a second and third year player. Both have bright futures and couple these two with Shane Edwards and Daniel Jackson and you have a midfield that can is more than able around the mid-level of the AFL competition this season.
Jack Riewoldt will be the man everyone is looking to and I think he will be able to deliver again. He is leading the race for the Coleman Medal and his strong marking ability gives him a big chance of kicking a bag of goals every week. Robin Nahas and Matty White provide a different dimension to the forward line but most importantly they make the other defenders accountable and if they fire it takes the attention away from Riewoldt.
Fremantle Dockers
The Dockers will travel across the country fresh from a bye after a narrow win over the Doggies on ANZAC day. I was not really convinced by that performance and remain a little sceptical about the Dockers, especially in Melbourne.
In defence Luke McPharlin is the boss but I feel he will get towelled up if he gets Riewoldt. It will be a situation where they look to leave a free man back as often as possible in an attempt to quell young Jack. Grover has been a long-standing servant in the backline and a usual uncompromising effort on his behalf is expected.
The Dockers do have a pretty exciting midfield. Stephen Hill, David Mundy and Garrick Ibbotson are all key contributors and will need to exert some influence in order for them to have a good chance. Matty Pavlich is the leader of the club and his move to the centre this year adds some strength and silk. He is the man to watch for the
Freo Dockers.
In the forward line Michael Johnson is the full-forward and his athletic frame could pose some problems for the Tiger defenders. When you throw into the mix Hayden Ballantyne and Matthew de Boer things could get interesting. The biggest strength for the Dockers and it will be here they need to capitalise in order to win.
The Verdict
This is a tight one and I will give the edge to the Tigers because their momentum is huge at the moment.
The Pick :
Richmond Tigers 107 - Fremantle Dockers 98
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Richmond +9.5 points at 1.92 at Centrebet.
