Oracle of DelphiAFL NAB Cup Round 2
February 25th 2009 12:22
The feeling among Richmond fans is that the team is on the precipice of greatness after signing Ben Cousins. The team realises how valuable the commodity of hope is and will be going all out for a win against Collingwood this Thursday, writes Nick Tedeschi
Never has there been such excitement about a pre-season game of AFL.
On Thursday night, Richmond will take on Collingwood at the Telstra Dome in the second round of the NAB Cup in front of a crowd likely to exceed 40,000. Such fanfare for a pre-season match is unprecedented with the match taking on a feel of a crucial premiership season blockbuster.
Many of those 40,000 fans will be in attendance to witness the return of former Brownlow Medallist Ben Cousins, who will be having his first game in the yellow and black. Richmond coach Terry Wallace has indicated that Cousins will start the match. He is likely to play a half before being substituted at the main break.
Cousins will most likely be joined by a number of the teams other stars including Matthew Richardson, Nathan Brown, Brett Deledio and Kane Johnson as well as new face at the club Adam Thomson. Richmond have had a two week break and though Terry Wallace is talking down the importance of victory, everyone involved at the club will be desperate to advance in order to build on the momentum the club has established since signing Cousins.
The Tigers will be hell-bent on a win and will throw a lot at the match.
Collingwood will also field a strong team but may look to test out a number of youngsters after not fielding any first year players in their first week victory over West Coast. Paul Medhurst, Anthony Rocca and Sean Rusling are all doubtful for the match.
Richmond match-up extremely well against Collingwood, a team who has struggled in recent years against fast and skilful midfields with targets up front. The Tigers are such a team.
Richmond will most likely start as the dog in the Winner Market and can be supported down to 1.90. Their midfield should cause plenty of problems for Collingwood and with Tigers fans demanding a win, Richmond look a great bet.
In the other round two matches, Essendon, Geelong and Carlton are the selections.
Essendon have a great recent record against Brisbane, winning their last three match-ups, all at the Telstra Dome, putting up scores in excess of 127 on each occasion. The Bombers can be bet down to 1.75.
Geelong were outstanding in dismantling Adelaide last week and should have few problems disposing of a divided Port Adelaide outfit who were flattered by the final score against a non-trying Sydney last Sunday. Geelong are 1.35 shots.
Carlton decimated a committed North Melbourne in their opening NAB Cup encounter while Hawthorn struggled to beat a lowly Melbourne. Carlton have been committed to NAB Cup success over the last four or five years and will go hard again. Bet them at 1.65.
Never has there been such excitement about a pre-season game of AFL.
On Thursday night, Richmond will take on Collingwood at the Telstra Dome in the second round of the NAB Cup in front of a crowd likely to exceed 40,000. Such fanfare for a pre-season match is unprecedented with the match taking on a feel of a crucial premiership season blockbuster.
Many of those 40,000 fans will be in attendance to witness the return of former Brownlow Medallist Ben Cousins, who will be having his first game in the yellow and black. Richmond coach Terry Wallace has indicated that Cousins will start the match. He is likely to play a half before being substituted at the main break.
Cousins will most likely be joined by a number of the teams other stars including Matthew Richardson, Nathan Brown, Brett Deledio and Kane Johnson as well as new face at the club Adam Thomson. Richmond have had a two week break and though Terry Wallace is talking down the importance of victory, everyone involved at the club will be desperate to advance in order to build on the momentum the club has established since signing Cousins.
The Tigers will be hell-bent on a win and will throw a lot at the match.
Collingwood will also field a strong team but may look to test out a number of youngsters after not fielding any first year players in their first week victory over West Coast. Paul Medhurst, Anthony Rocca and Sean Rusling are all doubtful for the match.
Richmond match-up extremely well against Collingwood, a team who has struggled in recent years against fast and skilful midfields with targets up front. The Tigers are such a team.
Richmond will most likely start as the dog in the Winner Market and can be supported down to 1.90. Their midfield should cause plenty of problems for Collingwood and with Tigers fans demanding a win, Richmond look a great bet.
In the other round two matches, Essendon, Geelong and Carlton are the selections.
Essendon have a great recent record against Brisbane, winning their last three match-ups, all at the Telstra Dome, putting up scores in excess of 127 on each occasion. The Bombers can be bet down to 1.75.
Geelong were outstanding in dismantling Adelaide last week and should have few problems disposing of a divided Port Adelaide outfit who were flattered by the final score against a non-trying Sydney last Sunday. Geelong are 1.35 shots.
Carlton decimated a committed North Melbourne in their opening NAB Cup encounter while Hawthorn struggled to beat a lowly Melbourne. Carlton have been committed to NAB Cup success over the last four or five years and will go hard again. Bet them at 1.65.
Ben Cousins
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