Richmond v North Melbourne
Saturday, July 18 - 7.40pm
Metricon Stadium
In a shortened season every match is vital, and at 2-4 this week’s game now holds even greater significance to turn North’s season around.
Four straight losses have the Roos reeling in 16th place, while their opponent Richmond has won its last two.
Both teams have been struck down with injury, with North missing the likes of Ben Cunnington, Jed Anderson, Nick Larkey and Tarryn Thomas, while the Tigers are without Trent Cotchin, Toby Nankervis and Dion Prestia.
The neutral venue at Metricon Stadium will make for an interesting match-up, with Richmond playing the venue just three times since 2014, and the Roos struggling in the dewy conditions last week.
It looms as a fascinating clash.
Last time we met
Round 11, 2019
North celebrated Rhyce Shaw’s first game as coach in style, with a comprehensive 37-point win on a Friday night at Marvel Stadium.
A dominant third quarter was the catalyst for the victory, with Ben Brown (five goals) and Mason Wood (four) the difference in attack.
The Roos’ relentless, contested approach was clear, as they registered 17 more tackles, and 22 more contested possessions.
Ben Cunnington got the three Brownlow votes after racking up 31 touches and 10 clearances.
The match-up
Luke McDonald v ?
The defender-turned-tagger has claimed the scalps of Marcus Bontempelli and Dylan Shiel in successive weeks, and will no doubt have his eye on a Tigers’ star.
Dustin Martin is a danger in the midfield, and booted three goals when the teams last met, while Kane Lambert has also played a key role in the absence of Cotchin and Prestia.
Who does McDonald go to this week?
The key men
Todd Goldstein and Ivan Soldo/Mabior Chol
The North big man has been the best big man in the competition this year, and will be looking to keep that form going.
With Toby Nankervis sidelined, Soldo gets another chance to shine.
The versatile big man returned last week against the Swans, and will be doing his best to quell the influence of Goldstein.
Versatile tall Mabior Chol also spent time in the ruck last week, and will look to provide a chop-out.
The stat
No player has kicked more goals at Metricon Stadium than Tom Lynch.
The former Gold Coast Sun has played 62 games at the venue, and booted 122 goals.
Robbie Tarrant won’t be giving him any room to move though. When the teams last met, he kept Lynch goalless and to just five disposals.
A similar performance from the North vice-captain will go a long way towards giving his team a chance.
The coaches say
"We're doing a lot of work and tonight was a really good example of that, but we're just not getting the reward yet. But if we continue to do that we'll get those rewards as we go, and I was really pleased with the guys' efforts again.” – Rhyce Shaw after Essendon loss.
“We had 53 inside 50s and we were in front the whole game; we’d love to score more, but the reality is we were in front for 90 per cent it. We’ve got some work to do from our attacking mid to our forward line. There’s no doubt we can use the ball inside 50 a little bit better.” – Damien Hardwick reviewing Sydney win.
