Nathan Buckley is intrigued by what could mean Richmond’s high front line for Carlton when the two sides face off on Thursday night at the MCG.
The two clubs have only lost one of their last five games and are finding their way at the right time this year.
Key forward Tom Lynch returns to the Tigers, while mid-season coach Sam Durdin will play his first game with the Blues on defense.
Lynch will be joined by teammates Jack Riewoldt (194cm) and Noah Balta (195cm), while ruckman Toby Nankervis (199cm) could also advance.
“Richmond has regained some of its strengths, and a few will be missing as well, (but) they seem a little unbalanced,” Buckley told SEN’s Whateley.
“They are very tall, there are a few question marks I have with them. What do they do with Balta, go backwards or forwards? It’s probably their second ruck, but they’re pretty high and I’m not sure if that’s an advantage or not. ”
The former Collingwood coach outlined two major battles for clubs on the field on Thursday night, the first for elimination and the disputed ball, and therefore the field position.
However, it was on the Richmond front line that Buckley suggested it would be “key” to the outcome.
The Tigers have an average of 11.7 games per game in 2022, similar to Carlton’s 11.2.
But Damien Hardwick’s men have won 14 and 15 times in their last two victories, while they also beat Carlton 8-4 in that round.
“The other main one is for Richmond, if they get a field position, they’ll have some dominance in the air,” Buckley said.
“They have Lynch and Riewoldt, potentially Balta and these guys are Carlton light again (key players are missing due to injury).
“I think Lewis Young has been brilliant, but he’s probably a third-height, a second- or third-height defender.
“Durdin enters, thrown to the wolves, and they will give him a challenge. And Lachie Plowman will probably have to play as a key defender sometimes as well.
“These three key players, who I believe are all third – tier senior defenders, will have to play as key defenders.
“So Lynch, Riewoldt and Balta potentially and Nankervis if down there, can they have a domain in the air?”
Buckley continued: “And they had it, they’ve had it in their last month and they’ve been pretty much the dominant side on the air if we look at the statistics, so this is an area of opportunity for them.
“The irony is in the ball; they have actually been sifted. They haven’t done so well when it comes to winning ground ball in their 50 forwards, but Carlton’s little defenders have been brilliant at being able to win it there.
“So the air battle on the ground in the Richmond front half will be key, and if the Richmond strikers get to the front, it will be very difficult for Carlton to do what he has to do defensively, especially in rebounding from his 50 backs. ”
The game starts at 19:20 AEST. Richmond can return to the top eight with a win, while Carlton can secure his place in the top four.