SUMMARY
Last week’s win over Port Adelaide was Greater Western Sydney's 12th for the year, a new record for the club, and they'll be keen to repeat the dose against Richmond, a team they’ve never beaten. The Giants sit in second spot on the ladder, one of six teams on 12 wins for the season, so they will be well aware of the importance surrounding this clash in Canberra. The Tigers showed some good signs against Hawthorn last week but fell away badly after half-time, so coach Damien Hardwick will want a strong showing on Saturday afternoon. It's Richmond’s first visit to the nation's capital and if the Giants maintain the intensity they showed in the second half against the Power, the Tigers will have a tough flight home.
Jack Riewoldt needs a big match if the Tigers are to salute. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Manuka Oval, Saturday, July 30, 1.45pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R14, 2015, Richmond 10.18 (78) d Greater Western Sydney 10.9 (69) at the MCG
R19, 2014, Richmond 13.11 (89) d Greater Western Sydney 8.14 (62) at the MCG
R10, 2014, Richmond 24.10 (154) d Greater Western Sydney 5.11 (41) at Spotless Stadium
R22, 2013, Richmond 25.13 (163) d Greater Western Sydney 6.6 (42) at Spotless Stadium
R12, 2012, Richmond 11.20 (86) d Greater Western Sydney 12.2 (74) at Spotless Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. When these two sides last played the Giants led by five points at half-time and 15 at three-quarter time, before the Tigers overran them. Trent Cotchin was the difference with 33 disposals, two goals and seven tackles.
2. No team has kicked the football more this season than GWS, who are averaging 222.2 per game; the Tigers are sixth at 207.1 per game.
3. The Giants and the Tigers have met five times and Richmond has won all of them, with two of the victories coming by more than 100 points.
4. GWS is the number one clearance side after 17 games averaging 41 per game, while Richmond has struggled in this area, ranked 11th at 36.2 per game.
5. The Giants have overtaken Adelaide as the highest scoring side in 2016, kicking 109 points per game; the Tigers are a long way back with 84 points per game.
6. Richmond midfielder Dustin Martin has continued his rise up the Schick Official Player Ratings, he’s now ranked 26th after being 54th in the competition after round five.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jack Riewoldt.
The star Tiger had a quiet afternoon against the Hawks last week and needs to respond if his side is any chance of causing an upset. The small ground in Canberra will make it hard for Riewoldt to find space against a Giants' defence in top form, and if the Tigers can't generate more than the 37 inside 50s they had against Hawthorn, they're in trouble.
PREDICTION: Greater Western Sydney by 57 points
