Only one game on Sunday and it’s a beauty!
Richmond make their first finals appearance in twelve years whilst Carlton, through a combination of astonishing events and a remarkable one point win over Port Adelaide last week, somehow find themselves in a finals series.
Each of the last three games between the two sides has been decided by a margin of less then 10 points.
Richmond won the opening round of the season defeating the Blues 106 – 101 before Carlton exacted revenge only a few weeks ago, back in round 21 106 – 96.
Since that game, Richmond has posted comfortable victories over GWS and last week, defeated Essendon by 39 points.
The above victories made it five wins from their last seven starts which included wins over top four sides, Fremantle and Hawthorn.
A finals appearance has been a long time coming for the Tigers and all involved will be out to make sure it is not a fleeting one.
Carlton has been involved in three fantastic clashes in as many weeks in the lead up to the finals. With the question marks looming over Essendon’s position in the competition in the back half of the season, the Blues have been in finals mode and needing to win to stay alive for the past month!
Have they got the ability though to take a step up again which is what will be required here against Richmond?
Chris Judd looks set to return for the Blues and his injection into the side is capable of providing the lift required for the Blues.
This second elimination final will be fantastic contest and finding the winner – as it has been between these two in recent times – will be no easy task.
Odds comparison by AFL Odds:
Richmond Tigers | 1.50 | 1.48 | 1.47 | 1.48 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
Carlton Blues
|
2.65 | 2.75 | 2.65 | 2.65 | 2.65 | 2.65 |
Teams:
Richmond Tigers:
B: Morris, Rance, Grimes
HB: Houli, Chaplin, Newman
C: Grigg, Cotchin, Jackson
HF: Vlastuin, A Edwards, Ellis
F: Martin, Riewoldt, Vickery
F: Maric, Deledio, Conca
INT FROM: Foley, S Edwards, King, Tuck, Petterd, Stephenson, Dea
In: C.Newman, J.Riewoldt, S.Edwards, M.Dea
Out: M.White (hamstring)
Carlton Blues:
B: Scotland, Jamison, Henderson
HB: Tuohy Waite Gibbs
C: Yarran, Robinson, Simpson
HF: Curnow, Walker, McLean
F: Garlett, Kreuzer, Judd
FOLL: Warnock, Betts, Murphy
INT FROM: Armfield, Bell, Casboult, Duigan, Ellard, McInnes, Menzel
In: C.Judd, B.McLean, H.Scotland
Out: –