Changes V Crows

[Quickdraw]

Astbury is not slow for a key defender, he performs well in running sessions at training, I think people are confusing Dave's sometimes reluctance to move the footy on quickly with his actual leg speed.

Good point, Caesar.
He's not in the class of a Leggo but as a KPD he's got enough wheels.

 

[graystar1]

This is once again a must win game for us.

Lose, and we are most likely out of the top 4.

If we don't win, then we are not deserving of being there.

Should win comfortably though, even without Shai and Lynch.

 

[Quickdraw]

Simple equation. If we're switched on, we win.
If not it will be a struggle.

 

[Carter]

I have a hot take but I think it might just be a correct one:

that back seven, all at the height of their powers, is the best Richmond has ever fielded.

 

[Rancey18]

I have a hot take but I think it might just be a correct one:

that back seven, all at the height of their powers, is the best Richmond has ever fielded.

It is a bloody strong backline. For Broad and Oleg to be left out as a result says it all.

 

[St Kevin]

I have a hot take but I think it might just be a correct one:

that back seven, all at the height of their powers, is the best Richmond has ever fielded.

Imagine if Rance didn't retire. We'd be keeping teams to zero.

 

[Brodders17]

I have a hot take but I think it might just be a correct one:

that back seven, all at the height of their powers, is the best Richmond has ever fielded.

2017: Rance, Astbury, Grimes, Broad, Vlastuin, Ellis, Houli
2019: Astbury, Grimes, Broad, Vlastuin, Houli, Baker, Short
2020: Astbury, Grimes, Balta, Vlastuin, Houli, Baker, Short

For pure defence i would rate 2017 higher, overall not sure.

 

[The_Celebrant]

flaunting with danger

I think you meant 'flirting with danger'. Flaunting with danger is what my aunt used to do in 1943 at Circular Quay, each time a boat load of American sailors arrived for some R&R.

 

[AngryAnt]

2017: Rance, Astbury, Grimes, Broad, Vlastuin, Ellis, Houli
2019: Astbury, Grimes, Broad, Vlastuin, Houli, Baker, Short
2020: Astbury, Grimes, Balta, Vlastuin, Houli, Baker, Short

For pure defence i would rate 2017 higher, overall not sure.

Yeah you'd give it to 2017 as Rance was imperious that season and in the GF but it's marginal. On the other hand you've got Grimes who's improved since Rance left, Baker as a huge addition, Short is a better player now. Balta has been a revelation but not quite Alex Rance superhero standard yet... or is he? Houli, Vlas, Broad and Astbury have maintained their standards or even improved.

Hard to compare teams across generations. 2017-19 backs are awesome, but remember we defend from the forward line right back to full-back now. Our forwards and mids pressure the oppo relentlessly once we lose the ball so it makes the job so much easier for the defence. This is the best team I've seen in my lifetime though, I started watching footy seriously in 1980.

 

[DavidSSS]

The 2017 defence had to defend more I reckon. In the 2017 GF Adelaide were going in the first quarter and they held the line. I agree we defend more up the ground now so our defence can be more attacking. Makes it hard to compare.

Without defending further up the ground we see things like the 2018 PF, no defence can handle that.

The depth at the moment is simply stunning, we're dropping players most teams would love to have.

DS