MATCH CENTRE
MATCH CENTRE
GRAND FINAL, 2017

ADELAIDE

V

RICHMOND

RichmondRICH WIN BY 48
8.12
60
FT
16.12
108
MCG
2017-09-30T04:30:00Z

Preview

Last time they met

The Crows inflicted Richmond's heaviest defeat of the year in their Round 6 demolition. Both teams were undefeated heading into the game and it was the Tigers who raced out of the blocks, holding a nine-point lead at quarter time. They kept their lead until the eigth minute of the second quarter before Adelaide took total control, booting six-goals-to-one in the second term and seven-goals-to-one in the third term to consign the Tigers to their first loss of the year.

It was a demoralising loss for the Tigers, who at that stage, had won their first five games of the year. They went on to lose their next three games by under a goal each in the most heartbreaking of circumstances.

Why it's Tiger Time...

The Tigers have built their grand final campaign on a high-pressure, high-intensity game. Richmond's high press is designed to hound opposition players into a mistake before their uncompromising attack on the footy turns defence into ferocious attack.

Their take-no-prisoners approach almost landed them in strife with captain Trent Cotchin and Brandon Ellis infamously cleared by the match review panel on Monday but with it, they have claimed the scalps of a highly fancied Geelong side and overpowered GWS last weekend.

The Tigers will also have the explosive midfield duo of newly-minted Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin and 2012 Brownlow medalist Trent Cotchin. This finals series, they have combined for 98-disposals, four goals, 27-tackles and 12 one-percenters. The duo are the on-field leaders and their performances have inspired these Tigers, unloved by many at the beginning of the year, to reach a place they haven't been to since 1982.

The game will also be played at a venue Richmond is more than familiar with. The Tigers have played 13 games at the home of footy this season, compared to Adelaide's three matches.

The stars are undoubtedly aligning for the Richmond faithful. Their players and supporters should have every reason to believe that they will be celebrating with silverware by six o'clock on Saturday.

Why the Clinical Crows will win...

The Crows have built their game on clinical and effective ball movement. They scythe through even the most well organised defences with quick and clean kicking, handballing and marking. They dominate their opponents by outsmarting them, denying them possession and putting the ball onto the heads of their potent forward line.

Adelaide are the highest scoring team all year and their forward line should overwhelm the undermanned Tigers. With names like Taylor Walker, Tom Lynch and Josh Jenkins joined by goalsneaks Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron, their forward threats are omnipresent and they will back themselves every time the ball is thrust forward.

The Crows will take plenty of confidence in the fact that they have never lost a grand final. Their previous two appearances in 1997 and 1998 were capped off with comfortable wins against St Kilda and North Melbourne and this year, their women's team continued the tradition, taking out the inaugural AFLW grand final on the Gold Coast.

Not to be outdone, the Crows have a dynamic midfield duo themselves. Rory Sloane and Matt Crouch have anchored the Adelaide side not only with their incredible ability rack up possessions but also use it well. The Crows know that while they all need to fire, it is the performance of Sloane and Crouch which will go a long way to securing their third premiership.

Only six Brownlow medallists who have played in the grand final the week after have gone on to win the premiership. With superstition second in importance to only training, Adelaide players will take every advantage, whether it exists or not, that they can get.

The Crows have been the form side all year. They will be extremely confident of closing out their season with the ultimate glory and 22 premiership medallions dangling from their necks.

Tip: Adelaide by 4 points

Team Line-Ups


Adelaide

Richmond


Team Stats


Adelaide

Richmond

Disposals
MATCH
361.9
2025 AVG.
3619
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
336.3
2025 AVG.
3363
2025 TOTAL
Contested Possessions
MATCH
135.3
2025 AVG.
1353
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
121.8
2025 AVG.
1218
2025 TOTAL
Kicks
MATCH
219.7
2025 AVG.
2197
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
193.5
2025 AVG.
1935
2025 TOTAL
Handballs
MATCH
142.2
2025 AVG.
1422
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
142.8
2025 AVG.
1428
2025 TOTAL
Frees For
MATCH
19.8
2025 AVG.
198
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
17.3
2025 AVG.
173
2025 TOTAL
Clearances
MATCH
38.3
2025 AVG.
383
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
34.2
2025 AVG.
342
2025 TOTAL
Centre Clearances
MATCH
12.8
2025 AVG.
128
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
9.6
2025 AVG.
96
2025 TOTAL
Stoppage Clearances
MATCH
25.5
2025 AVG.
255
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
24.6
2025 AVG.
246
2025 TOTAL
Inside 50
MATCH
53.4
2025 AVG.
534
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
43.8
2025 AVG.
438
2025 TOTAL
Marks
MATCH
91.3
2025 AVG.
913
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
87
2025 AVG.
870
2025 TOTAL
Marks Inside 50
MATCH
13.9
2025 AVG.
139
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
8.9
2025 AVG.
89
2025 TOTAL
Contested Marks
MATCH
10.6
2025 AVG.
106
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
9.5
2025 AVG.
95
2025 TOTAL
Tackles
MATCH
59
2025 AVG.
590
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
54.1
2025 AVG.
541
2025 TOTAL
Hit Outs
MATCH
44.1
2025 AVG.
441
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
39.5
2025 AVG.
395
2025 TOTAL

Player Stats


Adelaide

Richmond


Summary


Score Breakdown

  1 2 3 4
4.2
26
4.7
31
5.10
40
8.12
60
2.3
15
6.4
40
11.8
74
16.12
108

Best On Ground