WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday, September 2, 3.15pm
LAST TIME: Richmond 13.13 (91) d Port Adelaide 8.6 (54), round six, 2012, at the AAMI Stadium
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
Only two places separate these clubs on the ladder — Richmond is 12th and Port Adelaide 14th — but this is one of those instances where the ladder lies. The Tigers are on 10-11, coming off a strong win against Essendon, whereas Port is 5-16, coming off a narrow loss against the Brisbane Lions.
RICHMOND
1. Full-forward Jack Riewoldt said last week he's been disappointed with his season because of his inconsistency - and here he is with a chance to win the Coleman Medal. Of the main chances, Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich has 60 goals, Riewoldt has 59, and Geelong's Tom Hawkins has 58. Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said on Monday that he's unsure whether Pavlich, who missed his team's victory over North Melbourne on Sunday, will play against Melbourne at Patersons Stadium this weekend. The Tigers are playing a team below them, while Geelong is playing the Sydney Swans, who are second on the ladder. Riewoldt must be a strong chance of winning his second Coleman, having won his first with 78 goals in 2010.
2. Midfielder Trent Cotchin goes into this match all but assured of winning the AFL Coaches Association award, which is widely regarded as the award that best reflects player standings. After polling votes in an incredible 19 out of 21 matches, Cotchin is on 103 votes, ahead of Collingwood's Dayne Beams (93) and Gold Coast's Gary Ablett (92). Beams would have to poll the maximum 10 to even draw with the Tigers star, who's bracketed with Ablett on the first line of Brownlow Medal betting.
3. The match between these clubs that would resonate most with Richmond fans is the breakthrough match of Round 10, 2010, when the Tigers defeated the Power by 37 points at AAMI Stadium to win their first game for the season. It was Damien Hardwick's first season as coach, and he'd cut deeply into the list. The result was an opening nine rounds in which the Tigers were barely up to AFL standard. Shane Tuck had a game-high 31 disposals in the slush, ahead of Brett Deledio on 29. Riewoldt kicked four of Richmond's 10 goals.
4. If the Tigers defeat the Power, they could look back on what would be a relatively successful season despite their failure to make the finals. Richmond last year won eight games and drew another. A win against the Power would give it an even 11-11 ledger and a decent base from which to launch an assault on the finals next season. It's been well documented that the Tigers have never been far away during their losses. A few twists of luck and they could have been well up among the finalists. The optimism for next season would fade, however, if the Tigers were to lose to the Power. Somehow a 10-12 record provides less of a base from which to launch a finals assault.
PORT ADELAIDE
1. The Power have been been so close to victory on so many occasions this year, but inconsistent football has cost the club nearly every time. Last weekend's 10-point loss to the Lions was a perfect example. The match was the Power's for the taking but a lacklustre final term cost them victory. Sunday presents the club one last chance in 2012 to string together four quarters of football.
2. Facing his old side this weekend, Power forward Jay Schulz said it will be nice to play against former teammates and that he'd enjoy the banter and everything else that goes along with such a game. But he wants to win. Schulz has been a rare standout for the Power this year, making the most of nearly every opportunity he's been given, while managing to attack the ball and contest relentlessly despite some huge injury scares.
3. The Power's midfield was pretty good last weekend and has finally started to generate more inside 50s. They'll regain the services of Hamish Hartlett this week from suspension, who will significantly up the class factor in the engine room. Even still, it's hard to see the likes of Hartlett, Travis Boak, Dom Cassisi, Matthew Broadbent and Brad Ebert matching guys like Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Deledio. They will have to find a way though, because if Richmond's midfield gets on top it could be a disappointing end to a disappointing season for the Power.
4. This is likely to be interim coach Garry Hocking's last game in charge of the Power, as the club looks to appoint a permanent senior coach for 2013. Matthew Primus had five wins in his seven games as interim coach and the players would dearly like to get Hocking at least one victory. They missed a great chance last week and Sunday's game is all that remains.
ODDS
Port Adelaide $6
Richmond $1.12
