KEY QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIGERS-EAGLES AFL CLASH:
* How much has changed since last time they met?
It’s an odd quirk of the fixture that the AFL’s two most-recent premiers haven’t met since round 9 in 2018, when West Coast stormed to a 47-point win at home. Richmond’s addition of star forward Tom Lynch has added significant firepower but the Tigers have also lost a key player to injury in Alex Rance.
*Whose forwards stand tallest?
Lynch has formed a potent partnership with Jack Riewoldt, but West Coast’s combination of Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy is every bit as fearsome. Both teams boast dangerous small forwards, but the Eagles are arguably harder to match up on as a collective, given they have additional tall targets in Oscar Allen and Jake Waterman.
* What do the Tigers do about Jeremy McGovern?
McGovern’s ability to command the air down back has been a focal point for opposition coaches, some of whom have managed to quell his influence by applying a forward tag. It’s unclear whether Damien Hardwick will follow suit or back his system. The same question could well be asked of Adam Simpson with Richmond’s star interceptor Nick Vlastuin.
* Will Dustin Martin and Elliot Yeo go head to head?
At his best, Martin remains the AFL’s most-damaging midfielder. But Yeo might well be the most complete, given his ability to influence games offensively, while also clamping down on opponents. Yeo certainly has the size to go with Martin but it might be run-with specialist Mark Hutchings who is tasked with curtailing Richmond’s Brownlow Medallist.
* Will the Tiger Army be Richmond’s 19th man?
Hardwick has urged Richmond’s fans to turn out in force and create a cauldron-like atmosphere, similar to that of Optus Stadium last time the two sides met. Richmond’s deafening home-crowd support was a defining characteristic of their run to the 2017 premiership. But the Eagles play the MCG better than any interstate team in the AFL – they haven’t lost there since round 5, 2017.