Geelong will have to cope without some of their biggest stars when they host the Tigers at Simonds Stadium on Saturday of Round 21.
It has been a tumultuous couple of weeks for the Cats – last week they missed Patrick Dangerfield due to suspension, and it hit them hard. Not only does it mean that Dangerfield will miss the Brownlow this year due to ineligibility, but it also made it impossible for them to compete with Sydney. In the end they were blasted to the tune of 46 points by the Swans, and missing a step there has cost them two spots on the ladder. Worse though was a ban for Tom Hawkins and injury to Joel Selwood, which will keep him out till finals, coming out of the match. The Cats have a six-point buffer over fifth place, and with three rounds to go they can lock in top four by winning at least two of their remaining games. That won’t be easy to do however, as they play Collingwood and then GWS after this meeting with the Tigers.
As for Richmond, they’ve been in very solid form lately, winning their last four in a row including a win over GWS in that time. They’re now two full games clear into the top four, which would be their first finish there since 2001.
Geelong as mentioned have Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins out, they’ve also lost Mitch Duncan to suspension and dropped Wylie Buzza. On the plus side, all of Patrick Dangerfield, Daniel Menzel, Steven Motlop and Rhys Stanley are in, a handy enough clutch of inclusions.
Richmond have dropped Andrew Miles from their side in order to bring back in Jack Riewoldt, who has missed the last two with injury.
Geelong have won their last twelve matches in a row against the Tigers, and 19 of their last 20, losing to them only once this millennium. This is a difficult match to pick and that being the case, Geelong by 1-39 points as $2.50 outsiders looks the best value..
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