GEELONG V RICHMOND PREVIEW;
AFL UPDATE Andy Morris of Betfair 2 August 2008
By Andy Morris of Betfair
On Saturday night at Melbourne's Telstra Dome in-form Richmond come up against ladder leader Geelong in a game that could see the Tigers jump into the top eight. The Tigers have won five out of their last six games and are playing their best football of the year but they will have to be every bit as good again this week to beat the Cats.
Geelong has only been beaten once this year and that was in round 9 when they were thumped by Collingwood by 86 points but since have strung together eight wins in a row.
When Richmond met Geelong in round eight on a wet and cold Saturday afternoon it was the Tigers in the first half that held a slight lead but after the main break the Cats got going through half forward Paul Chapman who kicked four goals and had 24 disposals.
Gary Ablett was outstanding with 27 disposals and the Cats went on to win the match by 30 points 14. 15. (99) to 10. 9. (69).
The Tigers are playing with true grit and after wins against the Eagles in Perth, followed by a hard fought four point win against the Bombers, then a come from behind victory over the Brisbane Lions they are more than ready for the challenge against the Mighty Cats.
Geelong on the other hand are are going along sweetly and if you fancy an AFL bet they are $1.60 favourites for back to back Premierships this year.
Geelong could regain midfielder Cameron Ling who suffered a broken jaw a couple of weeks ago and David Wojinski for the game. The Tigers look quite settled and are ready for the challenge.
Some of the match ups in the middle we might see, will be an in form Joel Selwood up against the Tiger speedster Nathan Foley and Brownlow Medalist
Jimmy Bartel up against Kane Johnston. Mathew Richardson who is having his best year of football could be matched up with Geelongs Mr Fix It Andrew Mackie.
The forward lines of both teams can be very dangerous. All Australian and last years Norm Smith Medalist Steven Johnson, a match winner at times, will have to be kept in check and this job could go to Kelvin Moore who has had some big jobs to do this year.
Richmonds Nathan Brown who seems to have captured his form of a couple of years ago could be matched up with Cory Enright. Richmonds Richard Tambling and last weeks match winning goalkicker Joel Bowden are two others the Cats will have to watch.
This should give the Tigers a good guide to where they are at as a team, but I think the Cats will be too strong and win by around 36 points.
