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.

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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
367.3
2026 AVG.
8080
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
336
2026 AVG.
7393
2026 TOTAL
Contested Possessions
MATCH
139.4
2026 AVG.
3066
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
121.4
2026 AVG.
2671
2026 TOTAL
Kicks
MATCH
224.5
2026 AVG.
4938
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
191.8
2026 AVG.
4219
2026 TOTAL
Handballs
MATCH
142.8
2026 AVG.
3142
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
144.3
2026 AVG.
3174
2026 TOTAL
Frees For
MATCH
21
2026 AVG.
463
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
18.5
2026 AVG.
408
2026 TOTAL
Clearances
MATCH
37.1
2026 AVG.
817
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
32.9
2026 AVG.
724
2026 TOTAL
Centre Clearances
MATCH
12
2026 AVG.
263
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
11.5
2026 AVG.
252
2026 TOTAL
Stoppage Clearances
MATCH
25.2
2026 AVG.
554
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
21.5
2026 AVG.
472
2026 TOTAL
Inside 50
MATCH
52.1
2026 AVG.
1146
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
47
2026 AVG.
1034
2026 TOTAL
Marks
MATCH
91.1
2026 AVG.
2005
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
82.7
2026 AVG.
1820
2026 TOTAL
Marks Inside 50
MATCH
11.1
2026 AVG.
244
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
9.8
2026 AVG.
215
2026 TOTAL
Contested Marks
MATCH
10.5
2026 AVG.
231
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
8.6
2026 AVG.
189
2026 TOTAL
Tackles
MATCH
68.5
2026 AVG.
1507
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
50.8
2026 AVG.
1118
2026 TOTAL
Hit Outs
MATCH
41.5
2026 AVG.
912
2026 TOTAL
2026 AVG.
2026 TOTAL
28
2026 AVG.
616
2026 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

 

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