RUDE AWAKENING

RUDE AWAKENING by the Demonland Crew and hosted by JVM

The Round 14 fixture between Melbourne and Richmond has assumed a greater measure of significance in the scheme of things as a result of the week's happenings at Tigerland. Our correspondents have looked at the game from different perspectives, starting with Demon Head who looks at the recent history of games between these clubs:-

Melbourne and Richmond have an interesting recent history. Who could ever forget the "Jordan McMahon" game which was decided when that player goaled after the siren to secure victory for the Tigers and a priority draft pick for the Demons? 

In recent seasons Melbourne had the ascendency but all that has changed as Richmond continued their upward surge of improvement late last season to atone for the result when the teams met earlier in the season. This year, it was Richmond easily after an even first half and I can't see the result being overturned this week.

It's a little unfortunate for the fans that injuries have hit Melbourne where it hurt the most at this stage of the season. You just can't afford to lose the likes of Mitch Clark, Aaron Davey, Mark Jamar and Nathan Jones in one week as happened against the Lions. Then to lose the most recent NAB Rising Star nominee in Tom McDonald five minutes into the next game is nothing short of frustrating. Some of those players might be back this week but the task of winning will be tough, such has been the disruption to the team's structure.

Richmond has all the incentive to win. A loss to a team placed 16th would just about destroy their finals hopes. They can't afford to lose and they won't!

premiers13 disagrees. Even before the news broke about the events at football's new "Sleepy Hollow", this correspondent believed in the Dees:-

While Melbourne has been injury depleted, there awaits a massive opportunity this week against Richmond.

Let's face it. No King, no Vickery, no Jackson, Morris doubtful - this must upset the Tiger balance. Hopefully back for Melbourne will be Jones, Jamar and Davey. Possible debuts from Couch or Cook or both and we have an interesting contest. While Sellar is 50/50, Richmond will be nervous of the improving Dees.

Melbourne have absolutely nothing to lose. Rivers will probably venture back , while Garland will remain in the a key forward post. One gets the feeling that Garland is a 6 goal game, waiting to happen. 

Shutting down Deledio, Martin and Crotchin will determine the outcome. Jamar or Martin will have to give Maric a bath. Sylvia is getting better each week and I think Howe is about to take mark of the century.

The game might be won at the selection table.

If the Dees win, it will be wonderful, if they lose, then picks 3+4 seem assured.

Melbourne may well surprise, as some of their middle of the road players will be starting to second guess their futures. They all need good performances from hereon in.

Melbourne supporters will sleep well at either outcome.

My pick Dees by 17

mrtwister missed the gaffe about the misspelling of Richmond's Trent Cotchin's name (a Freudian slip?) but he did note some problems with the way the afl.com preview expressed the scenario in the event that Cotchin "goes forward" then ... "Daniel Nicholson can sit on him and rotate Trengove through the back half as a spare."

Yep. Go figure?

THE GAME

Melbourne v Richmond at the MCG Saturday 7 July 2012 at 2.10pm.

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 79 wins Richmond 101 wins 2 draws

At MCG Melbourne 60 wins Richmond 66 wins 1 draw

Since 2000 Melbourne 9 wins Richmond 12 wins

The Coaches Neeld 0 wins Hardwick 1 win

MEDIA

TV – Fox Footy Channel Live at 2.00pm

RADIO -3AW Triple M   

THE BETTING

Melbourne $5.00 to win Richmond $1.17 to win 

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Richmond 20.13.133 defeated Melbourne 11.8.74 at the MCG, Round 3, 2012

The Tigers were on top from the beginning but the Demons worked hard and had their moments in the first half. After the main break, the wheels fell off for Melbourne which simply couldn't muster up any run in the midfield. Richmond scored 9.3.57 to a solitary goal and finished with an emphatic 59 point win.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs Daniel Nicholson James Frawley Jared Rivers

Half backs Joel Macdonald Jack Watts Jack Grimes

Centreline Jack Trengove Jordie McKenzie Jeremy Howe

Half forwards Colin Sylvia, Stef Martin, Sam Blease 

Forwards James Magner Colin Garland Luke Tapscott

Followers Jake Spencer Brent Moloney Nathan Jones

Interchange Rohan Bail Matthew Bate Jamie Bennell Lynden Dunn 

Emergencies Lucas Cook Ricky Petterd James Strauss

In Jamie Bennell Nathan Jones

Out  Tom McDonald (lung) James Sellar (thigh)

RICHMOND

Backs Chris Newman Alex Rance Steven Morris

Half backs Matt Dea Ben Griffiths Bachar Houli

Centreline Brandon Ellis Trent Cotchin Shaun Grigg

Half forwards Shane Edwards Brett Deledio Matthew White

Forwards Robin Nahas Jack Riewoldt Addam Maric

Followers Ivan Maric Reece Conca Shane Tuck

Interchange Jake Batchelor Tom Derickx Luke McGuane Brett O'Hanlon

Emergencies Matthew Arnot Todd Elton Brad Miller

In Jake Batchelor Reece Conca Tom Derickx Luke McGuane Addam Maric Brett O’Hanlon Matthew White

Out Dan  Connors (Khyber Pass) Todd Elton (omitted) Dylan Grimes (hamstring) Daniel Jackson (hamstring) Jake King (knee) Dustin Martin (club suspension) Brad Miller (omitted) 

New Tom Derickx (Claremont)

Then the news came on Wednesday that Richmond had given the sack to one player and banned another for two weeks after both had dozed off and missed a training session the day before. It was certainly a rude awakening for the fighting fury from Tigerland.

Legal Eagle Rumpole offered the lads some free advice:-

I believe the time has come to offer the Richmond Football Club and its players some wisdom and legal counsel in preparation for the coming game and the rest of the season.

1. Never plead guilty;

2. Deny everything and

3. Play the game in good spirit.

It is my considered opinion that the events of the week, the injuries and the disruption to your focus (and I can understand there might be problems with focussing when players undertake the activities that are alleged against them) will make it difficult for you to perform at your best when you face your Demons.

Verdict: Melbourne Magistrates Court by 25 Penalty Points.

SidViscious (no relation to another individual who might have had problems in the past with the use of certain substances) took a different approach but came down on the side of the Demons:-

The events of July 4, 2012 have swung the momentum of the game dramatically. The Tigers would have been strong favourites before the sanctions against Dustin Martin (who averages 20 possessions and a goal a game against the Dees) and Daniel Connors who learned everything he knew about etiquette and behaviour on interstate trips from former teammate Ben Cousins but now it's not such a sure thing. As it is, Richmond reserves some of its best football for the elite teams whilst it hasn't really been that flash when taking on some of the others. It lost to Fremantle in Melbourne recently after beating Sydney and Hawthorn and it was rubbish against GWS a couple of weeks ago before losing to Adelaide after an eight goal first quarter. This suggests that Damien Hardwick's boys have some weaknesses that can be exploited. Their midfield is decidedly weaker although it still has the likes of Cotchin and Delidio but the Tigers are iffy in other positions so if James Frawley can do a number on Jack Riewoldt, it will definitely be game on.

I'm tipping Melbourne by 12 points.

Thanks to the Demonland crew for your input. I hope the foregoing hasn't put anyone to sleep!