The 2020 grand finalists go head to head as Richmond do battle against Geelong from the MCG on Friday night.
Head to head, first goal and total points scored selections have been analysed to the umpteenth degree.
Time to slot home some winners.
HEad to HEAD
May 7th 7:50pm
The reigning premier Richmond welcome Geelong to the MCG on Friday night for a grand final rematch.
Dustin Martin will make his return from a concussion protocol enforced omission last week despite the Tigers not needing him in a 22-point win over the Western Bulldogs.
Geelong, meanwhile, were left to rue what may have been after letting slip a 29-point lead early the second term against the Swans to go down by two points.
The Cats might have been a shade unlucky after Jeremy Cameron was denied a potentially match winning set shot by the umpires.
But coach Chris Scott will know his men must regroup quickly against a Tigers outfit who will still have the sweet taste of their second-half grand final blitz of the Cats in their mouths.
Even with the significant outs Richmond has (Dion Prestia, Nick Vlastuin, Jack Grimes) it should still be able to show somewhere near its best which is more than capable of knocking off the Cats.
Prediction: Richmond by 21 points
Suggested Bets:
Richmond -7.5 at $1.91
FIRST GOAL SCORER
Tom Hawkins/ Tom lynch
Both Richmond and Geelong do not really have a knack of slotting the first goal of their respective fixtures this season.
The Tigers have only managed to do so on three occasions in their opening seven rounds of 2021, while the Cats have only managed to kick the first goal twice.
When the two faced off against each other in the grand final last season, the Cats got the first two shots on goal of the game but missed both.
Tom Hawkins will definitely appreciate the wider surroundings of the MCG where he can find space on the lead early in the game.
Tom Lynch got himself back into form against the Western Bulldogs last week and was huge early in the game despite being inaccurate in front of goal.
Think his finish to the game will put a spring in his step early in the contest.
Suggested Bet:
Tom Hawkins first goal scorer at $10
Tom Lynch first goal scorer at $9
total points scored
Under 154.5
Doubt this game will get anywhere close to the 154.5 quote set for the total points scored.
The grand final last season only mustered up 131 points and both squads possess brilliant defensive structure as well as brilliant individual talent inside defensive 50.
Chris Scott will definitely be asking his troopers to tighten up defensively after being exposed in the second half of their clash against a sharp Sydney Swans outfit last week.
Only one of the last five games between the teams has ever gone over 154.4 points.
Backing the unders with confidence.
Suggested Bet: Total points scored under 154.5 points at $1.91.
