We highlight the big matches in the lead up to Round 5 of the 2014 AFL home and away season.
Brisbane v Richmond @ the Gabba
Despite one win from four games, Richmond naturally head into the Thursday night clash as favourites against a winless Brisbane without key contributors Pearce Hanley and Matthew Leuenberger after the loss of Daniel Rich the week before and the still suspended Daniel Merrett.
Richmond are in desperate need a win in the worst sort of way in order to keep their 2014 finals dreams alive. Brett Deledio isn’t around once again, but the Tigers have managed to rank as the league’s second best clearance team despite the significant loss.
Unfortunately it doesn’t look like Jonathan Brown will be doing much celebrating in his 250th game despite both clubs coming off Round 4 drubbings (none worse however than Brisbane’s 159-46 loss to Port) and the fact that Brisbane have yet to win against the Tigers at home in a decade.
Sydney v Fremantle @ the SCG
Last year’s Round 8 encounter between the Swans and Dockers resulted in a draw and both sides are sure to provide one of the highlights of the round when they meet again at the SCG on Saturday night.
Featuring a ton of star talent, both clubs are expect to be in the thick of it come finals time despite up and down efforts in recent weeks.
Sydney’s 2014 start has been less than convincing with their lone win coming against the 1-4 Crows. The highly touted midfield four of Kieran Jack, Dan Hannebery, Ryan O’Keefe and Jarrad McVeigh are down a combined 25 possessions on last year’s production, but the inclusion of big forward Kurt Tippett is a promising sign. He and Franklin will have a tough ask when they face off with a proven Dockers defence and quality talls in Luke McPharlin, Michael Johnson and the immortal Zac Dawson.
The Dockers returned to form courtesy of an Essendon beat down last Sunday, but the Freo midfield is having problems of its own- Brownlow candidate Nat Fyfe returns from a two-game suspension, but a concussion may see David Mundy join another sore, star on baller on the sidelines in Michael Barlow.
Geelong v Hawthorn @ the MCG
Peg these two old rivals down for one of the highlights of the year when the two undefeated clubs hit it out on Easter Monday.
The history between the Cats and Hawks has been well documented since the 2008 Grand Final with Geelong winning 11 of the past 12 matches and 10 of those being decided by 10 or less points.
Joel Selwood has started 2014 off with a bang, averaging 29 touches, six tackles and a goal a game thus far. Stevie Johnson hasn’t been too far off the pace, but defender Andrew Mackie, in blistering form against West Coast last weekend, may miss due to a hamstring injury that saw him subbed out against the Eagles.
A trio of key defenders could figure into the Hawthorn rotation after GM Chris Fagan announced defenders Brian Lake, Ben Stratton and Ryan Schoenmakers are all in line for eventual callups after lengthy stints on the sidelines. Star offseason recruit Ben McEvoy is also expected to return after a two week absence due to a calf injury.
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