SUMMARY
If last week's Richmond-Collingwood clash was highly anticipated, this one has roared back into relevancy over the past two weeks with the Cats winning their way back into the finals conversation. The Tigers continued to be a force against the wounded Magpies on Saturday; they ran out 28-point winners and moved a full game clear of the second-placed West Coast. They keep finding new ways to win too, with their usual ball-winners upstaged by the likes of Shane Edwards, Jayden Short and Jack Higgins while David Astbury will present Tom Hawkins with a big challenge. The Cats need to keep winning to shore up their likelihood of playing finals, and with a tough clash with Hawthorn to follow this one, they'd ideally like to keep the momentum running into round 21. And, with Gary Ablett hitting some form and Rhys Stanley enjoying a career revival, they're in a good spot.
WHERE AND WHEN: the MCG, Friday, August 3, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R13, 2018, Richmond 12.11 (83) d Geelong Cats 9.11 (65) at the MCG
2QF, 2017, Richmond 13.13 (91) d Geelong Cats 5.10 (40) at the MCG
R21, 2017, Geelong Cats 11.14 (80) d Richmond 9.12 (66) at GMHBA Stadium
R21, 2016, Geelong Cats 10.22 (82) d Richmond 12.6 (78) at the MCG
R5, 2015, Geelong Cats 12.13 (85) d Richmond 11.10 (76) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Can the Cats be the first to defeat the Tigers at the MCG in over a year? Saturday's win over Collingwood saw the premiers notch up their 18th win in a row at the venue, which is a competition record. Their last loss there was in round 13 last year, at the hands of Sydney.
2. Expect a barnstorming final term. The Tigers are also the best finishing team in the League, having won 14 fourth quarters. But, the Cats are no slouches in that area either; they're equal third with 12.
3. It will be a contest between two of the best defences in the competition. The Tigers are second for the least points conceded with an average of 70 while the Cats are fourth with 74 per game.
4. Tom Hawkins has roared into form to be the game's dominant forward lately. Since round nine, he's kicked 38 goals including 14 in the last two weeks. He's the first player to boot seven goals or more in consecutive games since 2012.
5. The Tigers have won the last two clashes between the sides but before that, the Cats claimed 13 in a row dating back to round six, 2007.
6. Unsurprisingly, the big mover when it comes to Geelong and the Schick AFL Player Ratings is Hawkins. His big turn of form has seen him skyrocket from 92nd overall at round 16 to 63rd after his seven goals against Brisbane.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR…
The Cats have shown they're prepared to run with Dustin Martin in the past and Scott Selwood is the man most likely to be given the job. Collingwood's Levi Greenwood reminded us on Saturday the bull-like Tiger doesn't always like close attention. Selwood didn't play back in round 13 but could be deployed to try and stop Martin's midfield influence.
PREDICTION: Richmond by 19 points.
