GREATER Western Sydney will be aiming to notch its second win in just 12 games at the MCG when it plays a rampant Richmond in Saturday's preliminary final.
The Tigers have all the momentum after a 51-point qualifying final win over Geelong, and will have an army of 95,000 supporters hoping to cheer them into the club's first Grand Final since 1982.
Dustin Martin won't be fussed by the hype, and skipper Trent Cotchin can be relied upon for a big performance given his form this season. He has been brilliant at setting the tone and attacking the contest. Alex Rance can be expected to hold the defence together. For the rest of the Tigers, it is about applying enough pressure to force turnovers and then score.
It's a formula that works in finals much better than the system Greater Western Sydney adopts, which relies on ball movement and outside running.
It's always more difficult to build than break down opponents when it comes to performing under pressure, which is why the Tigers should prevail.
AFL.com.au has taken a look at five key issues leading into Saturday's clash.
1. Richmond must bring the pressure
Against Geelong two weeks ago in the qualifying final, the Tigers recorded their highest tackle count for the season (92). Replicating that sort of pressure is never easy, but Richmond will have to hit Greater Western Sydney with the same level of intensity as it did against the Cats to progress. It knows such pressure works, with its round 18 comeback win against the Giants built on the back of 23 second-quarter tackles, which stifled Greater Western Sydney's ball movement.
2. Can the Tigers kick straight?
It has been feast or famine in front of goal for the Tigers this season, having kicked more goals than behinds just seven times this season. Kicking straight was an issue in the qualifying final, and it kept the Cats in the game for longer than they deserved. The Tigers can't allow goalkicking to be a problem in the preliminary final, as inaccuracy will raise the pressure and give the Giants a sniff. The Tigers must take their chances.
3. Will Stevie J back up after six goals in the semi-final?
The Giants won't be expecting a bag from Steve Johnson, but they will hope for a contribution. His experience in the MCG furnace will be useful, as he will be able to assist his teammates to prepare for the game and adapt to the atmosphere once the contest is underway. A couple of opportunistic goals from Johnson is a realistic objective, but the number of goals he kicks doesn't matter as much as a preparedness to do what is best for the team.
4. Stephen Coniglio is vital for the Giants
After Richmond defeated Greater Western Sydney in round 18, coach Leon Cameron identified contested ball and pressure as the two components missing from the Giants. The next week, Coniglio returned from an ankle injury and the Giants began to find those elements. In three of the six games since they played Richmond, Coniglio has led the team for contested possessions or tackles. He sets the tone, and will relish the chance to stop Martin.
5. Is it worth trying a left-field move to stop Rance?
The Giants' chances evaporate if Rance controls the Tigers back half. Harrison Himmelberg seems a logical choice to play as a defensive forward, but the Giants could spring a surprise and throw Adam Tomlinson the big challenge, as he does not have a natural match-up inside the forward 50. It would be a bold move but it could work, leaving Phil Davis and Aidan Corr as the only tall Giants in defence.
