Saturday’s first AFL Round 16 match is between Richmond Tigers and Brisbane Lions with the game to be played at MCG. The opening bounce is set to commence at 1:45 PM local time with home team Richmond Tigers currently holding favouritism. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Richmond Tigers and Brisbane Lions.
Round:Round 16 , July 05, 2014 , 1:45 PM
Stadium:MCG
Weather:15° Shower or two.
Preview:
The Richmond Tigers play the Brisbane Lions on Saturday, 1.45PM at the MCG. Richmond should have enough to come out on top of this all-cat affair,
although Brisbane might be dangerous coming off a victory against the Kangaroos last round. While the Lions have had a shocking season, last week’s win was
their third in five weeks as they continue to get themselves clear of the bottom-placed Saints. Speaking of St Kilda, Richmond managed to beat them last week, but with only four wins from their last eight games, they have been anything but convincing.
Teams:
RICHMOND 
B Troy Chaplin, Jake Batchelor, Alex Rance
HB Bachar Houli, Matt Dea, Dylan Grimes
C Dustin Martin, Shane Edwards, Ricky Petterd
HF Chris Newman, Ty Vickery, Brett Deledio
F Reece Conca, Jack Riewoldt, Anthony Miles
FOLL Ivan Maric, Brandon Ellis, Trent Cotchin
I/C Matt Thomas, Nathan Foley, Brett O’Hanlon,Daniel Jackson
EMG Aaron Edwards, Sam Lloyd, Matthew Arnot
IN Brett O’Hanlon, Daniel Jackson
OUT Nick Vlastuin (Leg), Steven Morris (Suspension)
BRISBANE 
B Justin Clarke, Joel Patfull, Matt Maguire
HB Daniel McStay, Jed Adcock, Ryan Lester
C James Aish, Tom Rockliff, Dayne Zorko
HF Claye Beams, Michael Close, Lewis Taylor
F Josh Green, Daniel Merrett, Sam Mayes
FOLL Stefan Martin, Pearce Hanley, Rohan Bewick
I/C Ryan Harwood, Ashley McGrath, Marco Paparone, Darcy Gardiner
EMG Jack Crisp, Jordan Lisle, Mitch Golby
IN Darcy Gardiner
OUT Jack Redden (Leg)
News:
David Astbury’s comeback from a severe knee injury is ahead of schedule and the backman could play again this AFL season, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says.
The 195cm defender had surgery after dislocating his left knee cap in round nine on May 17 while attempting to tackle Melbourne’s Jack Viney.
Hardwick says the 23-year-old Astbury is back running on grass which is a major breakthrough.
“We’re really hopeful he will play some footy again this year, which is a real positive for him,” Hardwick told reporters on Thursday.
“When he did that injury, we thought it was incredibly severe, which it was.
“But his recovery has been nothing short of outstanding.
“Towards the back end of the year, we’re very hopeful he gets back and plays.
“He’s an outstanding player for us. He was probably one of our better players in the first part of the year, a real shining light.
“He’s well ahead of schedule which is fantastic.
“He’s running on grass which doesn’t seem like a big one. But, for the injury he had, it has been significant.”
Astbury made his debut in 2010 but has played only 37 games. Foot, hamstring and leg injuries restricted the backman from Tatyoon in western Victoria to five matches in 2013.
The athletic defender dislocated his right knee cap in round 12, 2011 and didn’t return to the senior side until round 22 of the following season.
