Richmond Tigers vs Sydney Swans: AFL live scores, blog

Already at Round 5 the stakes are high and Richmond versus Sydney at Marvel Stadium is no exception. A loss for the Swans could prove costly in the context of their season and each win for the Tigers while their bookends are absent is crucial to stay in touch with the top four. Join The Roar for live updates and blogging from 7:25pm AEST.

Richmond registered an important win last week on the road against the Power when their back was against the wall.

But for the Tigers, their surge of pressure returned and they seemed to play the brand of football that earned them the win.

Tom Lynch was helped early with some free kicks but it was the luck that kicked the highly prized recruit into gear for his six goals.

Along with Dylan Grimes, the new bookends were fundamental in the yellow and black claiming four points.

Sydney have struggled to play a four-quarter performance so far in 2019. They were dominant in the first half last week but let the Demons in for the second half and when quiet are extremely easy to score against.

Ollie Florent played his best game for the Swans against Melbourne in his short yet vibrant career, claiming 25 disposals and two goals, while Jake Lloyd collected 30+ disposals for the fourth consecutive time this year.

For the third week in a row, Lance Franklin is within striking distance of Matthew Lloyd on the all-time goalkicking record.

A couple of quiet weeks has had all football supporters eagerly waiting for him to equal the Essendon great. Franklin now needs just the two majors.

Prediction
Dustin Martin will return for the Tigers and a response from the Brownlow Medallist is expected.

The Tigers threatened some of their best football last week against the Power and with the inclusion of Martin seem too strong.

Richmond Tigers by 32 points

Time: 7:25pm AEST
Venue: Marvel Stadium
TV: Channel Seven

Richmond Tigers
B Nathan Broad, David Astbury, Dylan Grimes
HB Nick Vlaustin, Shane Edwards, Bachar Houli
C Brandon Ellis, Liam Baker, Kamdyn McIntosh
HF Daniel Rioli, Jack Ross, Jason Castagna
F Dion Prestia, Tom J Lynch, Dustin Martin
FO Toby Nankervis, Josh Caddy, Kane Lambert
INT Noah Balta, Shai Bolton, Jack Higgins, Sydney Stack
EM Connor Menadue, Jack Graham, Callum Coleman-Jones, Ryan Garthwaite

Sydney Swans
B Tom McCartin, Dane Rampe, Jake Lloyd
HB Jackson Thurlow, Aliir Aliir, Callum Mills
C Ryan Clarke, Zak Jones, Isaac Heeney
HF Kieran Jack, Lance Franklin, Ben Ronke
F Tom Papley, Ben Reid, George Hewett
FO Callum Sinclair, Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy
INT Harry Cunningham, James Rowbottom, Ollie Florent, Jordan Dawson
EM Robbie Fox, Justin McInerney, Nick Blakey, Lewis Melican