Throughout the 2004 season, Aussie Chris Greenway wrote his game predictions. They're all here! Round
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West Coast Eagles V Richmond Rd 10 2004 Saturday 29/05/2004 Subiaco
Well, didn't the Tigers come to the ground with a thud? I half expected it, really. We don't play well at AAMI Stadium, they were coming off a pride sapping thumping and there was always the fear that Richmond would yet again become to Richo conscious and guess what? They did! Why don't we have a coach with a game plan other than kick it to Richo?
Before I go onto this week's game I have to give special plaudits to Joel Bowden. Only 3 weeks ago he was dropped from the side, supporters wanted him out of the club and the regular line was: gets a lot of ball and does nothing with it. A good performance against the Dogs silenced a few critics, but although they are still there and bleating after a stunning 43 possessions against a dominant Port Adelaide, 43 possessions all of which were pretty well used, no one is listening to the 'Bowden baggers' anymore. I was one of them until the Bulldogs. So well done Joel, just keep it up son and you'll live up to my: most completely skilled player in the comp line.
Neither the Crystal Ball or I can see us winning this week. We don't travel well, yes we won in Sydney, but that's not really travelling, Subiaco is. Our record is better than at AAMI Stadium, but only because we've been going there longer. The midfield has dropped off after the Bulldogs game and Richo can't kick goals if the ball is not reaching him. The defence is stretched until Gaspar is fully recovered from his knee injury, thank God the Eagles forward line is full of midgets otherwise this could be really ugly. I'm also not totally confident in the fitness of Ottens and Stafford. Both acquired leg injuries late in the Port Adelaide game. They'll play, but they may have one decent leg between the two of them.
The other thing that plays on my mind is how eerily similar this is to last week. West Coast a proud, well performed club struggling with injuries goes to Melbourne, gets comprehensively out played and limp home licking their wounds where they plan to play a Richmond side that is notorious for not playing well out of Melbourne. Does this sound familiar? I just hope we don't get a repeat of the scoreline.
I'd love for the Tigers to stand up and prove that last week's timidity was just an aberration, but I don't think they can. The Eagles to fly home over the Tigers.
