As the Tigers get set to head north, we take a look at all the news out of Punt Road Oval ahead of Saturday’s big clash at Spotless Stadium.
Richmond set the football world alight over the first rounds of the season with the bandwagon swelling after five straight wins to start 2017.
The Tigers headed into their round six clash with the also-unbeaten Crows full of confidence but Adelaide burst their bubble with a 76-point win on their home turf.
Since then, the Tigers have lost three in a row to sit in seventh on the AFL ladder ahead of their trip to Sydney.
However, they’ve lost the past two games by a combined margin of just seven points with a five point loss defeat by the Western Bulldogs in round seven trumped by Fremantle’s last-gasp win at the MCG last Sunday.
While Richmond rallied from a 30 deficit at three-quarter time to hit the lead with 21 seconds left on the clock, a David Mundy goal after the siren broke Tigers fans hearts as they went down by two points.
One man who will make the trip north is captain Trent Cotchin who escaped suspension for a jumper punch on Docker Lachie Neale.
The skipper was charged with striking but handed a $1000 fine, leaving him free to face the GIANTS on Saturday.
The Tigers should regain gun recruit Dion Prestia who has missed the past two rounds with hamstring soreness.
Coach Damian Hardwick flagged changes to his side following the Fremantle match, which could see the return of some former GIANTS.
Former zone selection Anthony Miles was a standout for the Tigers in the VFL with 29 touches, while fellow inaugural GIANT Jacob Townsend returned impressively from an eye injury and could be in line for his first senior game this season.
There’s also plenty of experienced names for the Tigers in the twos with Ben Lennon, Sam Lloyd and Steven Morris all possible inclusions.
The GIANTS take on Richmond at Spotless Stadium on Saturday at 4.35pm, click here to buy your tickets now.
