The Geelong Cats have been on a roll for the past three weeks, but they face their biggest test yet, as they take on the might of the reigning premiers, the Richmond Tigers, at the MCG on Sunday afternoon. Catch all the action on The Roar, from 3:20pm (AEST).
Geelong have started to prove themselves a force to be reckoned with last week, as they knocked off hugely-improved North Melbourne to the tune of 37 points. Gary Ablett was back to his best, with 34 touches, eight tackles and a goal.
That win down at GMHBA Stadium gave them three in a row, and put the Cats into the top four, but they’ll have to take it to another level if they wish to make it four in a row against the 2018 premiers.
Richmond’s travel woes continued last week, as they went down by 14 points to a rampant Port Adelaide team.
All three of their losses this season have come on the road, but the Tigers haven’t lost a game at the MCG since Round 13 last year, a year ago today.
Richmond will also welcome back last year’s Brownlow and Norm Smith medallist, Dustin Martin, after he was rested last week against the Power.
He returns to the line-up, along with Daniel Rioli, Jack Graham and debutant Ryan Garthwaite.
For Geelong, Aaron Black goes out of the squad, after his nasty leg injury against North Melbourne last week, while Jamaine Jones and James Parsons head back to the reserves.
Zach Guthrie, Cory Gregson and Lincoln McCarthy all make their way back into the team.
Geelong: Gary Ablett
The last two weeks, Ablett showed the footy world why he will go down as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
He was outstanding against the Suns, and doubled down on that against the Kangaroos. If he has a similarly big game against Richmond, then the Cats will get up.
Richmond: Dustin Martin
Dusty is back! After a week off, Martin will return to the MCG, a ground where the 2017 Brownlow Medallist has dominated for the past couple of years.
He has struggled slightly this season, not living up to his lofty feats of 2017, but maybe a week off was what he needed.
Needless to say, many will be watching this game with a close eye on the Richmond star.
It is tough to tell, with Geelong in such good form, and Richmond coming off a loss, but history tells me not to bet against the Tigers at the MCG. Richmond should take this one, but not by much.
Richmond by 10 points.
Will the Tigers bounce back and continue their streak on the G? Or will Geelong get the win against the reigning premiers and cement themselves as a force for the flag in 2018? Join The Roar for live coverage and scores from 3:20pm (AEST).
Kane
Guest
I'm very interested in what Michael Christian says about the Dustin Martin push on the umpire, by far the worst this year. He's a gun player so he will only get a fine.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Actually 94.444% of the football world... And they're only on top till Thursday if WCE beats Essendon. Melbourne go 4th without playing. So sad,Rick. Tigers have Cats,Pies and Hawks all at the MCG to come, the Swans at Docklands and the Giants at Spotless. Will they win them all? Who wants to bet? The Eagles have tricky games against Collingwood(A),Melbourne(H),Port(A) and North(A) ,oh and Freo too but their slate of games looks much more doable than the Tigers run. They are more likely to win one more game of those than the Tigers will of theirs.so the Tigers have to beat the Swans in the first week of the finals. Good luck with that. The Swans have a tough run too. Cats,Tigers,Hawks,North,GWS,Pies and Port Adelaide but if they win one more game in the season to come than the Tigers win of theirs,they'll be second and the Tigers will have to travel,not something they're good at
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
“Missing 5 of their top 22”?! I’m sure every other team will shudder with fear upon hearing that sobering news.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Dangerfield and Selwood are both in top 5 for frees for, so no surprise there.
Marine Boy
Guest
Sooner or later Richmond will lose at the G. 90% of the football world is hoping this will be in September.
Fergus
Roar Rookie
A bit quick to say Geelong are in decline when A) they are missing 5 of there top 22 B) they aren't playing at home and Richmond is C) they haven't won a premiership in 6 years and lost to the reigning premiers at home
Neil from Warrandyte
Guest
TIGERS WOOHOOOO!!!!!!!
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Good!
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Match Report: Richmond have taken back the top spot on the ladder, with a stunning 18 point win over a tough Geelong outfit at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, pushing their winning streak at the MCG out to 16. The Tigers had dominance early in the first quarter, with the first four scoing shots of the game. Only problem was that they were all behinds. Not taking their chances, the Cats slowly worked their way into the game, and took advantage, heading into quarter time with a 15 point lead. The second quarter was much tighter, as the Tigers worked their way back into the game with three goals straight, before Geelong hit back. A late goal to Kane Lambert saw Richmond go into the half time break with a two point lead. An absolute belter of a third quarter saw Richmond go up by 14 points with three in a row to start the term, but Geelong pulled it back, with both sides desperate to make sure they didn’t concede a goal, but a late goal to Tom Hawkins saw Geelong go into the final term trailing by just a solitary point. It was all Richmond early on in the final term, and they pushed their lead out to 15 points. A captain’s goal from Joel Selwood saw the Cats pull the lead back to 9 points, but a fantastic running goal from Jason Castagna, and then a Daniel Rioli set shot sealed the deal. Joel Selwood led the way for Geelong with 29 touches and two goals, whilst Gary Ablett had 25. Kane Lambert had 24 and a goal for Richmond, whilst Reece Conca and Dustin Martin had 22. Both teams will go into the bye this week, Richmond now sitting atop of the ladder, and many will have to wonder who can knock off the Tigers in Melbourne?
Joe
Guest
We get another shot at them at the MCG in half a dozen or so rounds.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Richmond 12.11 (83) defeat Geelong 9.11 (65) by 18 points. What a win for the Tigers. Who can beat them at the G? Nobody. If they don't win the flag this year, I will be shocked. They cannot be touched. Geelong were valiant, they worked hard but they couldn't match it with the Tiges. Joel Selwood was great with 29 touches and two goals, whilst Gary Ablett had 25. Kane Lambert had 24 and a goal, whilst Conca and Martin had 22. Match report will be out soon, thanks for joining me for this amazing clash.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
$#!! I don't care what anyone says. My boys are still the best. See you stinking Tiges, next time, in the finals where we'll beat the living stuffing out of you!
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
BEHIND GEELONG ________________ Tom Hawkins kicks after the siren, 30 out, right in front, but it's out to the right, as the Richmond fans cheer the miss. ________________ Richmond 12.11 (83) Geelong 9.11 (65) Q4 00.00
Kurt
Guest
Yep and they've all been there. Did you have a point other than that numbers are fun?
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
BEHIND GEELONG ________________ Ablett goes for goal, goes for the miracle,, but it's punched through. ________________ Richmond 12.11 (83) Geelong 9.10 (64) Q4 00.20
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
BEHIND GEELONG ________________ Gregson with a set shot, but it is out to the left. ________________ Richmond 12.11 (83) Geelong 9.8 (62) Q4 03.36
tibor nagy (big four sticks)
Guest
It's Tiger time folks!!!! Win number 16 on the trot at the MCG for the mighty Tigers. Geelong are in decline. Celebration drinks at the Spread Eagle post game. Come and experience some real Richmond hospitality.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND ________________ GONE!! GONE GONE GONE GONE GONE!!! The Tigers play soccer instead of football, and Duncan went to ground picking it up, and Rioli got him! This is to win the game. Rioli comes in, and it's coming back, IT'S COMING BACK!!!! IT'S THERE!!! THE TIGERS HAVE DONE IT AGAIN! THEY CANNOT BE BEATEN AT THE MCG! ________________ Richmond 12.11 (83) Geelong 9.8 (62) Q4 04.27
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND ________________ CASTAGNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! The Tigers make the switch, Castagna had a foot race, he got tackled, but kept his feet, and gets the kick off the ground!!! Tigers are nearly home, the streak is so close to continuing. ________________ Richmond 11.11 (77) Geelong 9.8 (62) Q4 06.22
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Oh my gosh Castanga.