SUMMARY
The anticipation for this clash began building after the Magpies' sixth win in a row in round 15 catapulted them to second on the ladder behind the top-placed Tigers. Since, their round 17 loss to West Coast has relegated them to third but the hype hasn't abated, and why should it? Two big Victorian clubs, in form and marching towards September, in what many hope is a preview to a hotly contested final, at the MCG on a Saturday afternoon. The Tigers have recent bragging rights, having won the last three, including their round six clash by 43 points, but both teams will go in full of confidence after comprehensive victories over St Kilda and North Melbourne respectively in round 18. The Pies expect to regain Darcy Moore and have declared Steele Sidebottom a likely starter despite a head clash on Saturday while the Tigers are a chance to see Bachar Houli return.
WHERE AND WHEN: the MCG, Saturday, July 28, 1.45pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R6, 2018, Richmond 16.17 (113) d Collingwood 10.10 (70) at the MCG
R2, 2017, Richmond 14.15 (99) d Collingwood 11.14 (80) at the MCG
R20, 2016, Richmond 14.8 (92) d Collingwood 11.11 (77) at the MCG
R2, 2016, Collingwood 13.9 (87) d Richmond 12.14 (86) at the MCG
R21, 2015, Richmond 23.9 (147) d Collingwood 7.14 (56) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Tigers remain undefeated at the MCG this season, having won all 10 of their matches there. They've won 22 of their last 24 starts at the venue since the start of 2017.
2. The Magpies are also MCG tenants, but haven't been quite as formidable there this season. They've won six games and lost five in 2018, but their run of recent form sees five of those wins from their last six starts.
3. There's a reason these two teams are pacesetters. The Tigers are ranked second for scoring and the Pies third, but there's more of a discrepancy when it comes to defence. The Tigers are ranked first in that area and the Pies eighth.
4. Josh Caddy, Jack Riewoldt and Dan Butler combined for 10 goals in round six. It was the first of four times this season Caddy has kicked four or more goals in a year that has him second at the club with 34 behind Jack Riewoldt (41).
5. There's been a big difference in the way these two teams play. The Pies continue to be the highest-disposal side with an average of 407 per game – and are the highest ranked uncontested possession team – while the Tigers are 13th with an average of 367.5.
6. Fatherhood has agreed with Will Hoskin-Elliott this season with the former Giant enjoying a solid year. He put two quiet games behind him on the weekend to kick three against the Kangaroos and rise in the Schick AFL Player Ratings to 121st overall.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Toby Nankervis and Brodie Grundy fought out an enthralling battle back in round six, with the Tigers' big man winning the battle around the ground and the Magpie claiming the points in the ruck contests. Nankervis fought back after Grundy got the early jump, so both will be keen to assert themselves on the contest from the word go.
PREDICTION: Richmond by 22 points
