Geelong will be searching for a seventh straight victory when they host Richmond at Metricon Stadium tonight from 7.50pm AEST.
The battle between last year’s preliminary finalists is set to be a beauty, with both sides still in the hunt for the top four berth and double chance in finals.
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Much of the build has been consumed by the contrasting game styles of the opposing sides. Richmond likes to play on at all costs and quickly transition defence into attack, while the Cats play a more methodical brand of football.
Despite their differences, Coach Chris Scott believes the two sides have more similarities than some might think.
“With the better teams or the teams towards the top of the ladder you tend to narrow in on the things that make them different when in reality the things that make them good, the fundamentals of the game tend to be pretty similar,” Scott said.
“There certainly are some contrasting parts to our game style, but the games against the best teams are always a product of who can get the game played more in their style and then who can adapt to whatever the conditions present or the changes within the game, because I suspect the way the game starts won’t be the way the game finishes.”
With stars on every line this game shapes up as a blockbuster clash and we take a look at some of the key matchups that could shape who gets the four points on Friday night.
TEAM SELECTION
Zach Tuohy returns after being a late withdrawal against Essendon and will play his 200th game. Esava Ratugolea gets another chance and will play his first game since Round 13.
All-Australian defender Dylan Grimes, Kane Lambert and Jack Ross are the inclusions for Richmond.
HOW THE TEAMS COMPARE
Highest Scoring: Geelong (1st) v Richmond (4th)
Marks Inside 50: Geelong (2nd) v Richmond (3rd)
Inside 50s: Geelong (5th) v Richmond (1st)
Total Clearances: Geelong (2nd) v Richmond (18th)
Tackles Inside 50: Geelong (6th) v Richmond (16th)
Bounces: Geelong (16th) v Richmond (2nd)
KEY MATCHUPS
Tom Hawkins v Dylan Grimes
Tomahawk is in sensational form for the Cats and currently leads the Coleman Medal race with 39 goals, eight ahead of the next best.
Hawkins also leads the competition for goal assists, marks inside 50 and marks on the lead.
Grimes’ return to the Tigers line-up this week is a timely one for them and he and Noah Balta are likely to rotate on Hawkins throughout the game.
Look for Nick Vlastuin and Bachar Houli to get back and try to negate Hawkins’ ability to lead up to the football, but if Geelong can win the midfield battle and get clean ball into Hawkins, he could be the difference.
Harry Taylor v Tom Lynch
At the over end of the ground the Cats will be doing everything in their power to ensure Lynch has a quiet game.
He was the difference when the two sides last met kicking five goals and taking 10 marks.
Lynch currently sits fourth in the Coleman Medal race with 27 majors for the season.
His likely opponent is set to be Taylor with Mark Blicavs needed up the ground in the absence of Rhys Stanley.
Taylor has only lost five of his 32 one-on-ones this season and has the size and strength to match it with Lynch.
Look for Jack Henry to provide aerial support, he is ranked number one at the Cats this season for spoils and has done a brilliant job this season going back with the flight of the ball to help out his fellow defenders.
Patrick Dangerfield v Dustin Martin
Two of the greatest players of the modern era and both with the ability to make the difference when the two sides meet on Friday night.
Dangerfield and Martin have the ability to not only accumulate possessions but hit the scoreboard and expect both to rotate between midfield and attacking roles.
After spending large parts of the year playing more minutes in attack, Dangerfield has spent more time in the middle in recent weeks and thrived. He has averaged 28 disposals and five clearances during his past three games and is primed for another big outing.
The Tigers like to get Martin the football on the outside where they can fully benefit from his elite foot disposal.
He has been quiet by his lofty standards in recent games, but he is a big game performer, and will no doubt bring his A-game tonight.
Whichever Brownlow Medallist gets on top could help propel their team to victory.
