Collingwood goalsneak Alex Fasolo looms as a major threat for Richmond in an AFL clash with high stakes for under-pressure coaches Nathan Buckley and Damien Hardwick.
The dangerous forward heads into Thursday’s clash at the MCG in impressive form, having snared three goals in quick succession during the Magpies’ narrow loss to the Western Bulldogs.
It was a timely reminder of the damage Fasolo is capable of causing at his best, not that Tigers fans would have needed it.
Fasolo starred with six majors – including three in the final quarter – to spur the Magpies to a remarkable one-point comeback win over Richmond in round two last year.
It was the start of a six-game losing streak for Richmond which only added to the intense scrutiny on Hardwick’s tenure.
The Tigers have since added key midfield contributors in Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy and delivered an impressive opening-round victory over a rebuilding Carlton.
But defender David Astbury said the Magpies’ deep midfield and mix of tall and small forwards would pose a new set of challenges.
“We’re going to be up against it this week, as we are all weeks,” Astbury said on Wednesday.
“Players particularly like Alex Fasolo, he was in awesome form last week so it’s important we get on top of him early.
“They’re a formidable team, particularly in their midfield, so we’re going to be well-challenged but I think our boys are up to it.”
With both Hardwick and Buckley under immense pressure to bank wins and secure a finals return this year, the battle of the midfield will be more important than ever.
Astbury said the Magpies unit – led by Scott Pendlebury and Adam Treloar – would present a major test for the Tigers, who boast the competition’s form midfielder in Dustin Martin.
Martin is certain to have banked three Brownlow votes with his dominant performance against Carlton and should receive plenty of support from Prestia, Caddy and skipper Trent Cotchin.
But the Magpies won several key areas against the Bulldogs and could look to stretch the Tigers with tall forward trio Mason Cox, Darcy Moore and Jesse White.
Astbury backed the Tigers defenders to handle the challenge, saying he expected All-Australian Alex Rance to bounce back after Carlton’s Jacob Weitering got the better of him last week.
“Rancey is an unbelievable player, and it’s probably a credit to him the only reason people are looking at it is because he’s never really lost contests,” Astbury said.
“I expect him to be back to his best this week.”
