Tigers don’t fear Crows energetic attack

Richmond star Alex Rance on Adelaide skipper Taylor Walker is a tantalising AFL grand final prospect, but the Tigers backman is playing his cards close to his chest.

The Crows’ larger-than-life leader has kicked 52 goals this year, scoring in every match, but his influence extends further than his individual output.

Walker creates plenty of scoring opportunities for his teammates, leading the league in goal assists.

Rance concedes he will likely spend some time on the key Crow.

“I know how I’ll play him but I’m not going to tell him,” Rance laughed when pressed on the potential match-up on Monday.

“I feel like he’s in a very similar mould to Matthew Pavlich.

“He’s a true centre half-forward who is a double threat … can go forward or back; take a strong mark and is a bit of conduit as well.

“He doesn’t really have too many weaknesses, but it’s just about a little bit of help up field. A little bit of pressure, a few dirty balls and me just trying to limit his effectiveness.”

Richmond will need to blunt the most potent attack in the AFL if they are to beat Adelaide in Saturday’s grand final.

The Crows scored the most points this season by a wide margin and didn’t lose any games, where they scored more than 100 points.

But Rance says his side’s third-ranked defence is capable of stifling Adelaide’s array of attacking weapons.

“I think systems are prevailing more than match-ups,” he said.

“I know footy fans want to see Buddy Franklin v myself or Jack Riewoldt v Phil Davis but systems do prevail.

“There will be a few match-ups like Grimesy (Dylan Grimes) might play on (Eddie) Betts or David Astbury might play on Tex (Walker), but the way we work as a team is making sure that we support each other.

“I won’t be on Tex the whole game and Dave won’t be on Tex the whole game – it’s a system.”

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