SUMMARY
There's been carnage at the Cattery over the past week, the type that's created ripples that could ascend into waves as the team's charge to September hits multiple speedbumps. They've lost Joel Selwood to an ankle injury that will at the very least cost him the remaining three games; the captain hopes he'll replicate the 2016 feats of Tom Liberatore and recover from surgery in time for finals, but he's up against it. Tom Hawkins and Mitch Duncan are out suspended after undisciplined acts in the loss to the Sydney Swans – Hawkins for this match and the next – but Patrick Dangerfield will return in one positive for the team. The Tigers are flying, having won six of their last seven games, and are third on the ladder. Their defence is ranked No.1 in the competition, and they look set to finish at least in the top four - and possibly in the top two - with Jack Riewoldt hoping to return from a sickening eye injury after two games out.
WHERE AND WHEN: Simonds Stadium, Saturday, August 12, 2.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R21, 2016, Geelong 10.22 (82) d Richmond 12.6 (78) at the MCG
R5, 2015, Geelong 12.13 (85) d Richmond 11.10 (76) at the MCG
R7, 2014, Geelong 11.15 (81) d Richmond 12.4 (76) at the MCG
R6, 2013, Geelong 20.11 (131) d Richmond 13.9 (87) at the MCG
R4, 2012, Geelong 11.9 (75) d Richmond 9.11 (65) at Simonds Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Tigers might be ranked first for defence, but the Cats are second for scoring. However, Hawkins – who won't play - is their top goal-scorer with Dangerfield second, and the Brownlow medalist will need to log more midfield minutes with Selwood and Duncan out.
2. Without much else to hang their hats on at the moment, the Cats could look to their previous record against the Tigers for positivity. They've won the last 12 head-to-heads, and the Tigers haven't won in Geelong since 2006.
3. It will be unfamiliar territory for the Selwood-less Cats. Since his debut in 2007, Selwood has played 246 of a possible 261 games. He's missed just two since the start of 2013.
4. Dustin Martin had 36 disposals when the teams last met and was one of the Tigers' best. The spotlight will remain on him for the final three rounds with Dangerfield and now Zach Merrett ineligible for the Brownlow medal.
5. Both sides have been strong marking the ball inside 50 this season. The Tigers are ranked second averaging 14.2, ahead of the Cats who are equal third with an average of 12.9.
6. With Dangerfield back, it will be a battle of the League's top two performers in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Schick. Dangerfield is No.1 with 744.9 points and Martin No.2 with 613.2.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR… Chris Scott.
Holes up forward, holes in the midfield, holes in a leadership sense and coming off a loss, we'll see just what the Cats – and their coach, who has also battled the flu this week – are made of on Saturday.
PREDICTION: Richmond by 25 points.
