Summary
What a win for Brisbane. Tough around the ground with tackling pressure and intensity the likes of which I have only ever seen from one other team (more on them later). Time and again a maroon guernsey flew into harm’s way to win possession, smother, spoil, or otherwise repel their opposite number. Daniel Rich was outstanding at halfback, and behind him the returning Harris Andrews controlled the skies. For all their huffing and puffing, Richmond just couldn’t blow down Brisbane’s house.
With ball in hand the Lions were brave and took the game on at speed. The errant kicking for goal that has haunted them for months was nowhere to be seen for three quarters featuring some pure set shot strikes and inventive snaps. Oscar McInerney imposed himself around the ground, Lachie Neale grew into the game after a slow start, and Charlie Cameron led all-comers with three goals. Like Port Adelaide the night before they demonstrated why they finished so high on the ladder and showed more storied opposition that their gameplan can hold up in the hothouse of finals. On this showing they must be strongly favoured to make a home grand final.
Unlike Geelong last night who left Adelaide with doubts over their credentials, Richmond fell only a fraction short. Tom Lynch’s absence was felt much more keenly than perhaps might have been expected, and had they turned their dominance into goals midway through the second quarter the outcome could have been completely different. The umpires were not on their side throughout.
With Lynch back in I’d still fancy them to make the preliminary final with ease, and then give Port Adelaide a run for their money. A repeat of this for the trophy wouldn’t be an unwelcome spectacle.
Ok, that’s enough from me for now. Thank you as always for your company. Let’s hope the rest of this finals series is as good as the start. Cheerio.
Updated
Brisbane 10.9 (69) beat 8.6 (54) Richmond
Magnificent. Brisbane are four quarters away from a home grand final.
HUGH MCLUGGAGE 🦁#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/J0Z4KZEVgM
— AFL (@AFL) October 2, 2020
Q4: 1 min remaining: Brisbane 10.9 (69) v 8.6 (54) Richmond - Rich takes another intercept mark. Best on ground tonight, probably.
Q4: 1.30 min remaining: Brisbane 10.9 (69) v 8.6 (54) Richmond - I’m exhausted, I don’t know about the rest of you.
Q4: 2 mins remaining: Brisbane 10.9 (69) v 8.6 (54) Richmond - McCluggae seals it! Forward-50 pressure from the Lions, Richmond do their best to fashion a rebound but Brisbane keep getting hands to the ball, and eventually McCluggage can swing his boot to the ball and snap through the sealer.
The video review cannot overturn the onfield call despite Vlaustin protesting a deflection.
Q4: 3 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.9 (63) v 8.6 (54) Richmond - Brisbane need a steadier but Richmond win the clearance! But again the ball to the danger zone isn’t precise enough and Rich chops it off. He feeds McInerney who plays on to Zorko who finds Hipwood in acres on the 50m arc. Can he seal it? No.
Q4: 4 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.8 (62) v 8.6 (54) Richmond - Would you believe it!? All night the long bomb to the top of the square has been meat and drink for Brisbane, but now it works! A huge thump, Riewoldt wrestles his way to front position, sticks out his arms and the ball jags between his mitts. Excellent work off the ball from Nankervis to create the space.
Eight points in it!
Q4: 5 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.8 (62) v 7.6 (48) Richmond - Brisbane are no longer hitting every contest like a steam train. Maybe it’s fatigue, maybe nerves, maybe game management? Whatever it is, it is not putting this game to bed, and Richmond are fighting hard. But that is a massive intercept mark from Starcevich, chopping off a very promising Richmond attack in the centre square.
Q4: 6 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.8 (62) v 7.6 (48) Richmond - Wow! That could be goal of the year from Bolton. A scrappy phase deep in Brisbane’s defensive 50 looks to be petering out but Bolton catches Rich napping and from the boundary line in the left forward pocket the Tiger collects, turns, and dribbles a left-footed effort 25m that had a ball’s width to travel through.
Oh, hang on. Score review.
Post!
Sport eh?
Q4: 7 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.8 (62) v 7.5 (47) Richmond - The boundary continues to be to the benefit of the Lions, the ball safely on centre wing with repeat throw-ins leading to slow scrimmages.
Until Richmond win one and break at speed with great precision for two superb kicks to turn defence into attack. But - and this has been the story of their night - that third kick, the entry inside-50, doesn’t have an obvious target and Brisbane can regroup and spoil the marking contest.
Q4: 8 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.8 (62) v 7.5 (47) Richmond - Richmond win the centre clearance but the bomb forward can’t beat the magnificent Andrews. Again the boundary line is Brisbane’s friend on the rebound, followed by more incredible midfield tackling pressure.
Another minute ticks by.
Q4: 9 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.8 (62) v 7.5 (47) Richmond - Brisbane are treading a fine line between milking the clock and accepting the space in front of them. After caressing the ball across halfback they snipe down the right flank but after a good contest from McInerney, McCarthy can’t finish from a tight angle.
Richmond respond with intent, blasting down the other end and enabling some rare separation for their forwards. Rioli is the beneficiary, marking a high ball strongly under pressure, going back and kicking a goal that brings the margin back to 15 points.
The Lions are at risk of playing the clock, not the Tigers here. Could be a nervy conclusion.
Q4: 11 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.7 (61) v 6.5 (41) Richmond - Time for Brisbane to take their time, hug the boundary and use the clock to their advantage. They still need to take the ball with them though, which they forget to do on this occasion but Riewoldt - who has been quiet for long spells - misses the snap.
The TV graphic tells me the largest three-quarter time finals turnaround in favour of Richmond in their history is 14 points back in 1933.
Q4: 13 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.7 (61) v 6.3 (39) Richmond - The Richmond forward line has not functioned the longer this match has gone out. Credit to the Brisbane defence of course, but the Tigers are not marking overhead, nor are they competing at ground level either.
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Q4: 14 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.7 (61) v 6.3 (39) Richmond - That Zorko intervention sets up good field position and the Lions lock the ball in for a minute or so with repeat stoppages and some controlled possession. The best of which sees Neale pick out Lyons just inside 50 with both men icing the clock in the process. The latter does eventually shoot, but his effort fades a touch wide.
Q4: 15 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.6 (60) v 6.3 (39) Richmond - One quarter to go for Brisbane, one quarter of an hour, and it begins with Zorko pinning Prestia in a hue bear hug to earn a holding-the-ball free-kick.
Leppitsch on TV the latest Richmond coach bemoaning the free-kick count (and 50m pens). It’s 14-8 to the Lions, by the way. Clearly the narrative is set if the Tigers lose.
Updated
“Channel 7 had a poll on what song would play over the post match highlights,” emails Ezra Finkelstein. “Disappointed Springsteen’s Born To Run wasn’t chosen, as it fits this game’s flow.” Sure does, or the increasingly anxiety-ridden stylings of Josh Wink’s Higher State of Consciousness, perhaps?
Three-quarter-time: Brisbane 9.6 (60) v 6.3 (39) Richmond
Brisbane have one foot in the preliminary final but they have just missed two simple chances to ice the game. Can Richmond make them pay?
Q3: 1 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.6 (60) v 6.3 (39) Richmond - Plan B from the Tigers is try to be more ambitious through the corridor but Neale makes two plays in a second that prove how risky that option is, first beating Martin, then Cotchin. From that industry the ball ends in attacking 50 and bouncing favourably for McCluggage - but he misses too! An instinctive snap from 10m out dribbles wide when a goal looked easier to score.
Q3: 2 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.5 (59) v 6.3 (39) Richmond - Berry misses the first “Brisbane” set shot of the night 30m out on a slight angle. That could have put the Lions out of sight but it’s not to be.
Q3: 3 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.4 (58) v 6.3 (39) Richmond - The Tigers look in need of a plan B. Brisbane are their equal in the pressure stakes, and with Andres in control in defence (and no Lynch to target) the hopeful bombs forward and coming to nought.
Q3: 5 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.4 (58) v 6.3 (39) Richmond - A rare spell of scrappy stoppage-heavy play on centre wing. It’s a pause long enough to amplify how frantic the rest of the game has been.
Q3: 6 mins remaining: Brisbane 9.4 (58) v 6.2 (38) Richmond - Brisbane have been wasteful going forward recently, missing targets a little hurriedly, and it’s invited Richmond back into the game. Speaking of missing targets, Robinson does excellently reading the play to fade back and take a crucial intercept mark for the Lions. That sets up some slow controlled possession across halfback before there’s enough time to go long towards S Martin. The man mountain brings the ball to ground and who’s there at the drop? Bailey! And he crumbs front and square, speeds away and snaps the goal!
Q3: 8 mins remaining: Brisbane 8.4 (52) v 6.2 (38) Richmond - Richmond are scrambling, but like Brisbane in the second quarter they are holding their line in defence. Finally they get some relief with a phase of rebound possession off halfback after great work from Vlaustin. From there the ball goes forward at speed, Martin exerts himself, and Rioli is the beneficiary, snapping crisply from 40m for a crucial crucial goal. Brisbane had almost broken free.
Q3: 9 mins remaining: Brisbane 8.4 (52) v 5.2 (32) Richmond - Brisbane are out-Richmonding Richmond! The pressure from the Lions is immense, penning the Tigers in their own half, forcing turnovers, nailing tackles, denying any cheap out-balls.
Q3: 10 mins remaining: Brisbane 8.3 (51) v 5.2 (32) Richmond - This half is much more stretched than the first, fewer midfield scraps and more open one-on-one footy. Still fiercely contested at incredible speed mind you.
Q3: 12 mins remaining: Brisbane 8.3 (51) v 5.2 (32) Richmond - Three for Cameron! Another free-kick to Brisbane turns a contested ball into a composed possession. From centre wing the ball reaches Rayner, crumbing more good work from McInerney, and he shows superb skill in tight to weave his way through traffic until Cameron was in enough space to accept possession, turn on the afterburners and snap a trademark finish on the run.
This is growing into a very handy lead for the Lions.
Updated
Q3: 13 mins remaining: Brisbane 7.3 (45) v 5.2 (32) Richmond - The ace hasn’t relented at the break, both sides back into their work at breakneck speed.
Brisbane follow-up their behind with repeat entries through Gardner and Berry but they can’t fashion a clear marking opportunity and Richmond clear. When they do Chol does well to keep the ball alive, then Castagna has a dip from range before McIntosh has the opportunity to snap from the right forward pocket but he hammers the post.
Q3: 15 mins remaining: Brisbane 7.3 (45) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - Back underway at the Gabba. From the opening bounce Neale gets his hands on it, Zorko belts it forward and Berry takes a strong mark with his arms extended. From just on 50 he drags his effort just wide.
The stats are still pretty even. Richmond lead on inside-50s but have little to show for 25 entries. Brisbane are ahead on free-kicks, and they have taken full advantage.
Richmond’s midfielders have all seen plenty of ball, but it’s been McInerney that’s caught the eye for the Lions for me from an individual standpoint.
Asked what his team needs to do better int he second half, Hardwick is blunt. “Free-kicks” he says with a face like a bulldog licking vinegar off a nettle.
After zero touches in the first quarter, Lachie Neale went big in the second term!
— AFL (@AFL) October 2, 2020
Can’t keep a gun like him down for long 👊#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/eLl9chKGwF
A little half-time groovy break.
In case you’re interested, over in the NRL, it’s Penrith 22-10 Roosters early in the second-half.
That was ace, wasn’t it?
Half-time: Brisbane 7.2 (44) v 5.1 (31) Richmond
Half of the year. Simply magnificent. Richmond bossed that second quarter and looked destined to creep away from Brisbane by force of will. Somehow the Lions withstood the barrage, gained a foothold, then kicked three goals in two minutes before the siren to turn the match on its head. What a rip-roaring spectacle we are being treated to.
Q2: 0.15 min remaining: Brisbane 7.2 (44) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - Double 50! Pickett concedes a free-kick for a throw in attacking 50. Bolton concedes the first 50m for kicking the ball away. I missed the second infringement - Pickett on Zorko I think. It all ends up with Neale in possession about 55m from goal, looking to offload, but nobody shows. Oh well, hit and hope it is. AND WHAT A HIT! The roof comes off the Gabba as the ball sails over the line. From donuts in the first quarter to Homeric triumph in the second. Quite brilliant sport.
Q2: 1 min remaining: Brisbane 6.2 (38) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - The noise is deafening. Charlie Cameron is the amplifier, hurtling into the stoppage from a boundary throw-in in the right forward pocket, hitting the ground ball at speed, skirting around the boundary then check-side/bananaing through a goal from point-blank range.
Updated
Q2: 2 mins remaining: Brisbane 5.2 (32) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - Wahey! Rayner kicks the goal of his life! More manic human pinball in midfield ends with a hack forward that Hipwood reads well to earn decent possession. He feeds Rayner about 70m from home, and the youngster steps inside, runs his full complement and kicks on the run from the arc - and it’s good enough, dragging it’s leathery heels over the line almost apologetically, to the delight of the Gabba crowd. Huge moment.
Updated
Q2: 3 mins remaining: Brisbane 4.2 (26) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - Credit to Brisbane, they withstood immense pressure and are now giving some back to Richmond. The contest is largely a blur of bodies, collisions and tackles at a gazillion miles an hour around the ground.
Q2: 5 mins remaining: Brisbane 4.2 (26) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - Another huge Brisbane tackle - Coleman this time - but his centring ball can’t find a teammate. The Lions continue to press though and they get a repeat entry that ends with S Martin roving his own ball, snapping and forcing Grimes to concede a desperate rushed behind.
Q2: 6 mins remaining: Brisbane 4.1 (25) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - Brisbane have levelled things up over the past couple of minutes, dragging the game back into midfield instead of their defensive third of the ground. The pace is relentless with nobody allowed time on the ball.
Q2: 7 mins remaining: Brisbane 4.1 (25) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - Some class from McCluggage creates a rare opportunity at the other end but his nimble footwork ends with an errant handball and Cameron is bundled into touch. The Lions keep going though, Berry then Bailey - and the kick is on for McInerney - but it’s weak and the mark can’t be taken. Huge opportunity missed.
Q2: 8 mins remaining: Brisbane 4.1 (25) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - It’s like watching a boa constrictor curl itself around a capybara the way Richmond are just squeezing the life out of Brisbane. Can the Lions resist? They are doing just enough to deny the clean entry inside-50 and continue to spoil the marking contest.
Q2: 9 mins remaining: Brisbane 4.1 (25) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - the Tigers are coming. The quality of possession hasn’t been pure but the momentum is all with the visitors and they’re starting to dominate territory and generate wave after wave of pressure. Brisbane’s ability to defend the to of the square is keeping them afloat, and their midfield remains hungry for the tackle.
Q2: 11 mins remaining: Brisbane 4.1 (25) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - McInerney has been outstanding so far, in the ruck, tackling like vintage Jude Bolton, and spoiling in the air in defence. He nails another Tiger holding the ball, but Zorko takes advantage and butchers the kick forward. Brisbane cannot afford to be so profligate.
Q2: 12 mins remaining: Brisbane 4.1 (25) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - A rare scrappy couple of minutes with both sides hacking aimless turnover kicks. Castagna bucks the trend with an excellent mark on centre wing, then kicking to the top of the square. Brisbane’s tall defenders continue their sound defensive work.
Q2: 14 mins remaining: Brisbane 4.1 (25) v 5.1 (31) Richmond - Come on guys, give me chance to type a coherent sentence! Richmond win the centre clearance, the ball goes forward, Castagna goals. Martin was involved again (natch).
The pressure from both sides is extraordinary.
Q2: 15 mins remaining: Brisbane 4.1 (25) v 4.1 (25) Richmond - Hot footy early, as you’d expect, but Brisbane do well to earn first use then force Richmond to cough up under pressure defensively. And who do they cough it up to? Charlie Cameron, and he skips his way into space and drills the goal from 40m out on the run. Nice hands from Rayner with the assist too.
I hate these poxy SAS Australia adverts interrupting the footy. Schapelle Corby, give me a break.
But - how about an SOS Australia, featuring the Silvagnis and Marshs in a Battle Royale? You know that’d make for better telly.
Nothing decisive on the stats sheet just yet, but everything points to Richmond just shading things, which is what the eyes were suggesting the longer that quarter progressed.
Only four men on the ground have no disposals. Incredibly, one of those is Lachie Neale.
How bloody good were these two in that first term?#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/nTtFJh0yr1
— AFL (@AFL) October 2, 2020
First quarter summed up #AFLLionsTigers pic.twitter.com/AQjydOLjBh
— Rudi (@RudiEdsall) October 2, 2020
Quarter-time: Brisbane 3.1 (19) v 4.1 (25) Richmond
A quite brilliant demonstration of finals footy from both sides. Lap it up.
🎯#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/mAeV5pmavp
— AFL (@AFL) October 2, 2020
Q1: 1 mins remaining: Brisbane 3.1 (19) v 4.1 (25) Richmond - Martin has been imperious in the middle but his latest clearance win is chopped off by Rich, who has also started brightly. Neale, by contrast, has donuts on his stats sheet.
Q1: 3 mins remaining: Brisbane 3.1 (19) v 4.1 (25) Richmond - A rare couple of phases of chip and mark from both sides, first Brisbane again profiting down the left, then Richmond piecing their way out of defence. That methodical approach is turbocharged with a 50m penalty, sending them downfield and a kick away from a shot. That duly arrived with McIntosh the free man just inside the arc. Of course he goals. Of course. Threading the needle from range like it’s a stroll around Punt Road.
Q1: 5 mins remaining: Brisbane 3.1 (19) v 3.1 (19) Richmond - Stop it. Stop it. This is too good. Martin is majestic weaving his way through traffic following the centre bounce. His clearance goes miles and within seconds the Tigers are level, Cotchin the finisher, wriggling out of a tackle then slapping a mighty left-footed snap from unforgiving field position.
There must be some coaches of non-finalists watching this and weeping. This is a high standard of footy.
Q1: 6 mins remaining: Brisbane 3.1 (19) v 2.1 (13) Richmond - All we haven’t seen so far tonight is a big hanger. McStay sees to that, leaping highest in a big pack to pull the Sherrin out of the night sky. He goes back and honours the leap with a firm finish.
The start of that move was yet another brilliant free-kick winning tackle in midfield. This has been a tackling clinic from both sides so far.
Q1: 7 mins remaining: Brisbane 2.1 (13) v 2.1 (13) Richmond - Chol should mark and goal in point-blank range but his mitts fail him. Not to worry, the Tigers apply that extraordinary pressure, deny the Lions an escape route and on the rebound Baker smashes a goal home from just inside-50 on the run. This is a fast high-quality game of footy. Both teams are on.
Updated
Q1: 8 mins remaining: Brisbane 2.1 (13) v 1.1 (7) Richmond - Lovely build-up from Brisbane. First the switch across defence from right to left, then the play on from Birchall who drills a superb long pass to McCarthy. He plays on and finds hipwood on the lead. Can the king of the yips continue Brisbane’s flawless start? No. He fades one wide from range near the boundary.
Q1: 9 mins remaining: Brisbane 2.0 (12) v 1.1 (7) Richmond - This is a shootout. Riewoldt almost replies instantly for the second time tonight but his left-footed snap hits the post after Nankervis gained yardage following a ruck infringement from Stefan Martin.
Not long afterwards Brisbane are awarded their second 50m penalty of the quarter with D Martin penalised for interfering with S Martin then playing on after the whistle.
The Lions are on defensively tonight. Robinson is the latest to nail an eye-catching tackle, this time dispossessing Vlaustin on the burst.
Q1: 11 mins remaining: Brisbane 2.0 (12) v 1.0 (6) Richmond - McInerney has started superbly in the ruck, dominating hitouts and laying tackles, the latest on Bolton forcing a turnover in the centre circle then leading to a 50m penalty in his favour. At the compact Gabba that walks him inside-50, from where he lopes in and splits the big sticks with the minimum of fuss.
Q1: 12 mins remaining: Brisbane 1.0 (6) v 1.0 (6) Richmond - That felt like a crucial passage of play. Brisbane get too cute coming out of defence and Martin pounces on the turnover thumping a pass to Riewoldt on the lead. The Tiger talisman clunks the mark goes back and boots the leveller from 48m. Who needs Tom Lynch?
Q1: 13 mins remaining: Brisbane 1.0 (6) v 0.0 (0) Richmond - Both teams have enjoyed some decent possession since that early strike, Richmond calmly manoeuvring through the corridor, Brisbane hacking at pace down the left wing, but both sides have failed to find a killer pass with the Lions backline enjoying early aerial superiority.
Q1: 15 mins remaining: Brisbane 1.0 (6) v 0.0 (0) Richmond - Ha! The opening bounce is a shocker, so it’s an early ball-up, won easily by Brisbane who get rolling immediately. The long hit downfield goes to hands and the ball is smartly played along the arc for a mark in just-about gettable range. Hang on - who’s that coming off the long run!? Only Daniel Rich! And he takes the offload like a steam train and hammers the opening goal from 55m out to the delight of the Gabba crowd. What a way to start the game. Goal-kicking yips, what goal-kicking yips?
Opening bounce!
Who will join Port Adelaide in the prelims? Let’s find out...
It’s welcome to country and anthem time. A sheepish Damien Hardwick only just makes it to the line-up in time for “Australians...” after dashing across the turf in his dress shoes. Wonder what was holding him up?
Ooof! I almost miss-sipped my latte. That is fighting talk Ragazzo. On your head below the line be it.
Jonno, mate, I'm goin' the early call and will tell you that the Tigers have no hope tonight.
The cosmos have connived to see the Richmond football club front up in Adelaide in a fortnights time to be punished by a club that is chasing history and glory in the most momentous season in football history.
Port Power will be there for the last match of the season to flog the Lions on their own deck, in front of their own crowd and to prove once and for all that Port Adelaide football club have every right to stare down any challenger in the land as they launch an era of success that will make the "fake pies" prehistoric four-in-a-row seem like a blip before the dynasty.
All the best of luck, Tigers fans, you're gonna need it.
Port Adelaide were good last night, weren’t they? Super fun to watch playing with both ferocity and discipline. They’re going to be hard to stop with this momentum.
Boos greet Richmond’s appearance onto a pristine-looking Gabba. The Tigers are in their traditional black guernsey with yellow sash, accompanied tonight by white shorts.
I say boos, by the time the club song piped through the tannoy reaches the famous “yellow and black” there’s plenty of audible feedback from the stands. The Tiger Army is well represented in the northern states.
It’s Tiger time.
— Richmond FC 🐯🏆 (@Richmond_FC) October 2, 2020
Let’s go! 🐯🕗 pic.twitter.com/8SIdiBkGYf
Updated
La Marseillaise reverberates around southern Queensland, which can mean only one thing. No, not revolution, the Brisbane Lions are running out to play a game of footy.
Brisbane are in their familiar maroon outfits with gold trim. They have around 24,000 fans on hand to cheer them on.
Conditions in Queensland are glorious. It is warm, still and dry, but as we know, the crucial factor up here in these night games is the humidity and that pesky dew.
To give you an insight into my state of mind today, I have spent WAY too long racking my brains to find this, ultimately underwhelming clip. I was riffing on the Lion v Tiger theme as a rhetorical device, then I recalled the 1980s cartoon ThunderCats had characters based on a Lion and a Tiger. Then I remembered there was this epic sequence of episodes when the Lion character - the leader and hereditary Lord of the ThunderCats - had to demonstrate he could defeat all the characters under his wing at their specialist disciplines. Still with me? Well, this is the conclusion of the episode where Lion-O proves he has superior mind control to Tyrga (the nominal second in command and troupe scientist and architect).
No, it was not worth the effort.
Richmond XXII
The major selection news for the Tigers was signalled some time ago with spearhead Tom Lynch ruled out of tonight’s clash with a hamstring injury. There’s better news elsewhere though with Dion Prestia returning for the first time since round five and Shai Bolton slotting back in after missing last time out with a corkie.
Other than Lynch, the injured Ivan Soldo is probably the only other name missing from Richmond’s best 22.
What have Richmond got to do? Same as they have for most of the past four years, and apply the most terrifying pressure in footy history and revel in the chaos it creates. Without Lynch there’s an extra goal-kicking and line-leading burden for Jack Riewoldt, but that’s probably just how he’s want it to be.
B: David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta
HB: Bachar Houli, Nick Vlastuin, Liam Baker
C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Jack Graham, Marlion Pickett
HF: Shai Bolton, Dustin Martin, Jason Castagna
F: Daniel Rioli, Mabior Chol, Jack Riewoldt
Foll: Toby Nankervis, Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards
I/C: Jayden Short, Dion Prestia, Kane Lambert, Jake Aarts
Back on the menu 🍝 #AFLFinals #gotiges pic.twitter.com/49aBoVEmc8
— Richmond FC 🐯🏆 (@Richmond_FC) October 2, 2020
Brisbane XXII
When Harris Andrews ended round 15 with ice on his hamstring his season looked in doubt, but just a month later arguably the competition’s premier defender is back to take on the Tigers. Jarrod Berry has also proved his fitness after a couple of weeks out with a shoulder injury, meaning Chris Fagan has pretty much a full-strength squad to select from, so it must be assumed this is his preferred 22.
There’s no slicing and dicing strategy and structure trying to work out what Brisbane need to do tonight, it has been staring them in the face for many a long month - kick straight. The Lions have butchered a combined 12.34 in their past two outings against Richmond and poor kicking for goal has dogged their otherwise impressive recent resurgence.
Dayne Zorko didn’t shirk the issue during his press call earlier this week, indicating his team was ready for any sledging coming their way from Richmond and also mentally steeling themselves for performing under pressure. “We’ve been throwing a little bit of lip on the mark,” he said. “I think it comes even harder when it’s your teammates throwing it at you, you can get a little more personal. The boys have responded very well to that. I’m really confident they’ve done the work now.”
B: D.Rich, D.Gardiner, H.Andrews
HB: Z.Bailey, R.Lester, G.Birchall
C: H.McCluggage, M.Robinson, C.Ah Chee
HF: D.Zorko, D.McStay, C.Rayner
F: O.McInerney, E.Hipwood, C.Cameron
FOLL: S.Martin, J.Lyons, L.Neale
I/C: J.Berry, L.McCarthy, K.Coleman, B.Starcevich
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of the second AFL qualifying final. Tonight we can enjoy second-placed Brisbane taking on third-place Richmond from the Gabba. The opening bounce is at 7.50pm (AEDT).
Despite finishing higher on the ladder and enjoying home ground advantage the Lions still come into tonight’s final as underdogs (or should it be undercats?). That is because they have drawn Richmond, the flag favourites and defending premiers hunting a third title in four years.
Specifically, this is a match-up weighted heavily in Richmond’s favour. The Tigers won by 41 points in round 10, and by 47 the time before that, which just happened to be a qualifying final at the Gabba. Those results contribute to a series of 15 straight wins for the yellow and black in the battle of the big cats, many of which have arrived in Queensland with Richmond boasting a nine-game winning streak at tonight’s venue.
But records are there to be broken, right? Let’s find out if Chris Fagan can mastermind an upset.
Get in touch, if you feel like it, via Twitter or email, or chat amongst yourselves below the line. I’m going to level with you, I am really tired, and there has been a bit of news flying around today which means I’ve had one eye on other things, so this could easily unravel.
It’s #AFLFinals time at The Gabba. pic.twitter.com/xqDThbbyAq
— AFL (@AFL) October 2, 2020
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Jonathan - if only all Commodores tracks were from funk central like that one.