The Tigers won against the odds last week when they travelled to AAMI Stadium to take on Port Adelaide without captain Trent Cotchin, Dylan Grimes, Tyrone Vickery and Ricky Petterd, and with Ivan Maric under an injury cloud. It was their fourth win for the season and halted a run of three straight losses. For the Demons, things went from bad to worse when they went down to Gold Coast by 60 points on Sunday. The Suns had never won in Melbourne before but easily accounted for the Dees, who were without Jack Grimes, Jack Trengove, Mark Jamar and Mitch Clark. It was the Demons' sixth loss for the season and has put the club – and coach – under even more pressure.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday, May 19, 3.20pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
Rd 15, 2012, Richmond 13.23 (101) d Melbourne 11.12 (78) at the MCG
Rd 3, 2012, Richmond 20.13 (133) d Melbourne 11.8 (74) at the MCG
Rd 22, 2011, Richmond 17.15 (117) d Melbourne 17.8 (110) at the MCG
Rd 14, 2011, Melbourne 17.16 (118) d Richmond 13.13 (91) at the MCG
Rd 19, 2010, Melbourne 16.13 (109) d Richmond 11.14 (80) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Richmond defeated Melbourne twice in 2012, winning by 59 points in round three and by 23 in round 15. Both games were played at the MCG.
2. The Tigers have won the past three games between the sides but since 2010 it's been three wins each. This will be the 184th contest between them and Richmond holds a clear advantage with 102 wins to 79, with two draws.
3. The two longest co-tenants at the MCG have met at the venue on 128 occasions with Richmond winning 68 times to Melbourne's 59, with one draw.
4. Melbourne is one club Jack Riewoldt hasn't dominated against, kicking 12 goals in 10 games, with a best haul of just three in 2010. This year, the Richmond spearhead has kicked 24 goals in seven games, his biggest bag of seven coming in round two against St Kilda. Last week he booted five goals against Port Adelaide.
5. Melbourne has the worst offence this season with 75 points per game. Defensively, they are ranked 17th, conceding an average of 136 points. The Demons are also ranked 17th in both contested and uncontested possessions while the Tigers are sixth and fifth respectively.
6. If this is a thriller, get on the Tigers. The last five games between the sides decided by less than a goal, dating back to 1957, have all been won by Richmond.
