NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 10 Preview

GWS Giants v Richmond Tigers
(2-6, 17th) vs. (2-6, 16th)

The GWS Giants will do battle with Richmond this Saturday in front of a home crowd at Spotless Stadium.  
 
With both clubs enduring a tumultuous week off the field and a recent streak of hard losses, each will be desperate for a win – no matter how they get there.
 
After contending with headlines of Toby Greene’s 5-week suspension following assault charges, the Giants but will be looking to put the disruption behind them by welcoming back a list of superstars to their squad.  
 
The Tigers have faced their own scrutiny over the past 7 days following a disappointing – their fans would say embarrassing – loss to Melbourne in a game dedicated to the memory of club and AFL legend Tom Hafey.
 
Left depleted by a 111-point drubbing at the hands of West Coast two weekends ago, the Giants will be hoping that the return of experienced big man Shane Mumford will provide the boost required to put them back in the winners circle.  

Mumford revealed this week that it has been a blood clot in his arm, and not his initial knee injury, which has been keeping him from the field since Round Three. With both the knee and clot issues now resolved, Mumford has been named to take on the Tigers – much to the delight of his teammates and relieved fans.
 
Mumford’s comeback allows for the ruckman to team up with Jonathan Giles who has been filling in as lead ruck during his absence. Dominating the competition in hit-outs in his first – and only – three games of the season, Mumford will provide leadership for the young group, and will also allow Giles to play forward.

Coming off a bye week, the Giants are fortunate to be able to add some firepower to each area of the field, as key players become available following injury.

All Australian forward Jeremy Cameron, and Dylan Addison return to the forward line while Adam Treloar and Jacob Townsend add some nous to the midfield. Curtly Hampton, and Stephen Gilham who has impressed recently in the NEAFL will line up in the backline with aims to suppress the Tigers’ Jack Riewoldt, Ty Vickery and Matt Thomas.   

Following his return to senior football in the last round, Andrew Phillips has been omitted from the Giants squad alongside Jed Lamb, Sam Frost, Matthew Buntine and Josh Hunt. Nick Haynes will miss with the same ankle injury that saw him subbed off early in the match against West Coast, and Toby Greene will spend his first week on the sidelines under suspension.

Despite a selection cloud hanging over his head for most of this week due to comments he made on the team’s game plan, Jack Riewoldt has been named in the Richmond side to travel to Sydney.

Injuries have forced the Tigers into some line up changes with Nick Vlastuin to miss with a broken finger, which will keep him out of the game for a month. Injury prone David Astbury gained another knee injury during a contest with Jack Viney in last weekend’s shock loss to Melbourne and will also miss. Sam Lloyd has been omitted.

Considering their closeness on the ladder, it is no surprise that their season statistics are similar.

Average clearances (Giants 41 – Tigers 42), inside 50s (Giants 48 – Tigers 50), contested possession (Giants 137 – Tigers 136) and tackles (Giants 71 – Tigers 70) are almost on par between the two sides, sitting at only one or two the difference at this stage in the season.

Ranked 11th in the league for disposals, Richmond (358) will be hoping to capitalise on this advantage over the Giants (352) who are currently ranked 16th.

Side by side, it will be a game of 17th (GWS) versus 16th (Richmond) on the ladder. Despite the lowly placing of the two teams, punters will be keen to see how – and if – Richmond can strike back following a disappointing few weeks, while Giants’ fans will be quietly confident that they can take down the tired Tigers while they are hurting.

AFL NSW/ACT Notes

Former GWS Giant Anthony Miles (North Albury) has been elevated from the Richmond Tigers’ rookie list as Jake King is placed on the long-term injury list. A player known for his commitment to winning contested ball, Miles is said to have impressed during the VFL season with Richmond Football Manager Dan Richardson commending his efforts during the week.

GWS Giant Jacob Townsend (Leeton-Whitton) returns to senior football after impressive performances in the NEAFL for the Giants Reserves squad.

Carlton’s Sam Rowe (North Albury) and Adelaide’s Taylor ‘Tex’ Walker (North Broken Hill) are likely to face off at some point this weekend as their teams play at Etihad Stadium this Sunday. Still on the comeback track, Tex will be hoping to kick his first goal in senior football since last year, while Rowe will also battle former teammate Eddie Betts who will be keen to impress against his former club.

New South Welshman Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah), Will Langford (East Sydney), Isaac Smith (Temora) and Matt Suckling (Wagga Tigers) have all been named for Hawthorn in Saturday night’s top-of-the-table clash against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.