Richmond faces the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night, in another exciting opportunity for the Tigers to grow against a side striving for September.
Here are some burning questions that could determine the result of the game.
How much energy will the inclusions bring?
Four exciting names were listed next to the ‘ins’ column when Richmond named its team for Saturday night’s clash.
Midfield star Jack Ross headlines the additions, joined by a trio of youngsters coming off impressive VFL performances in Tyler Sonsie, Luke Trainor and Zane Peucker.
Ross is enjoying a career-best season and has become a vital piece to the Tigers’ puzzle, while in the reserves, Sonsie has had back-to-back 30+ disposal games, Peucker booted three goals last week and Trainor made an instant impact in his return from a concussion.
“We've got four players that are coming back in that are really hungry,” coach Adem Yze said.
“Rossy's missed the last couple of weeks, he's a leader of our footy club. He'll be bouncing around, he'll be pretty hungry, and his morale will be high. Tyler Sonsie’s played some VFL footy and just broke the door down and needs an opportunity, so he'll be pretty hungry.
“Luke Trainor comes back into the team, back off concussion, earned his spot, he gets an opportunity. Zane Peucker’s morale's going to be high because he's playing his second game of AFL footy.”
Who wins the clearance count?
Gaining ascendancy from clearances could be a key in Saturday night’s result, as it's been a strength of both midfields recently.
The Bulldogs have found strong synergy in the middle throughout the campaign, entering the round ranked second in the AFL for both total clearances and stoppage clearances.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have won the clearances in their past four games, showcasing the growth and upward trajectory the midfield has been on as an influx of youth has been injected amongst Richmond’s leaders.
Whoever not only wins the clearance count, but creates maximum damage from it, will put themselves in a favourable position to notch four-points.
Who battles the Bont?
There’s no doubt that when planning for the Dogs, Marcus Bontempelli’s name is one that is highlighted.
The seven-time All-Australian is enjoying yet another standout season, comfortably sitting second in the AFL Coaches’ Association Champion Player of the Year votes.
Yze is looking forward to seeing young Tiger midfielders, including Sam Lalor, Sam Cumming, Sam Grlj and Taj Hotton, battling Bontempelli, learning and testing themselves against the best.
“He's [Bontempelli] obviously one of the best players in the comp, so our midfield crew will have a plan going into it,” Yze said.
“We'll have a plan going into it, but he's in really good form, and obviously when he plays well, they play well, so we'll have a plan going in. We’ve got a few young bucks that'll be nice to lean against him.”
