Roar Guru
Richmond and North Melbourne come together in a huge game which has huge implications for both sides with different aspirations. Join our live scores and blog right here from 2.10pm AEST.
The Tigers have their tails up and are hunting a top four spot to sure up their September outlook.
Meanwhile North Melbourne have their face looking down the barrel of a gun and need a miracle to make September.
Brad Scott and his troops must win this game to stand any chance at a finals berth.
Lose today and it will be over for the Roos.
It was a big match last week for all forwards involved in this match and the likes of Petrie, Riewoldt, Harvey and Vickery will be looking to extend their great form.
This game will be a battle of the boot, both teams rank very favorably when it comes to kicking the ball.
The Tigers prefer to be patient and find open targets meanwhile the Roos play a similar style however prefer to hit one of their key forwards inside 50.
An interesting statistic I found that is completely useless but nonetheless fun is the score of North Melbourne in their previous four encounters with the Tigers.
They have scores of 103, 104, 103 and 103. Remarkable right?
Last season it was Drew Petrie who took over the game and won it single-handedly for the Roos, beating Richmond by only five points.
The form of Richmond would tend to show the tables may have turned this season. Richmond looked locked and loaded and are ready to put sides away.
Something about this matchup however has all Tiger fans shaking under their mullets.
Speaking of mullets Ivan Maric, the key Richmond ruckman will miss his second consecutive match with a groin issue.
This blow could be huge for Richmond as they go up against one of the best ruckman in the league, Todd Goldstein.
For North Melbourne, their surprising leading goal kicker, Lindsay Thomas will miss after receiving a suspension for a silly headbutt.
One would think turnovers and accuracy will be a key factor in this game. Both teams can be murderous off of turnovers and the team who capitalizes on this factor today should get the win.
North Melbourne are fighting for their season so I’m going to tip the Roos by seven points, Aaron Black being the hero.