SUMMARY
These two teams couldn't have been further apart after round eight, with GIANTS coming off a thrilling last-minute win over Collingwood, and the Tigers suffering a heartbreaking loss after the siren to the Dockers.
It will be tough, but Richmond must find a way to move on quickly and get their heads right for a daunting trip to Spotless Stadium, and they'll give themselves a sniff given the GIANTS' injury toll continues to mount.
GIANTS midfielder Josh Kelly is just about the form player of the competition at the moment, and with Dylan Shiel, Callan Ward, Tom Scully and Lachie Whitfield as support, the home side's midfield is imposing.
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin and fellow star Dustin Martin will have plenty of responsibility, as will Toby Nankervis, who will enjoy his battle with another aggressive ruckman in GIANT Shane Mumford.
WHERE AND WHEN: Spotless Stadium, Saturday, May 20, 4.35pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R19, 2016, GWS GIANTS 17.9 (111) d Richmond 3.5 (23) at UNSW Canberra Oval
R14, 2015, Richmond 10.18 (78) d GWS GIANTS 10.9 (69) at the MCG
R19, 2014, Richmond 13.11 (89) d GWS GIANTS 8.14 (62) at the MCG
R10, 2014, Richmond 24.10 (154) d GWS GIANTS 5.11 (41) at Spotless Stadium
R22, 2013, Richmond 25.13 (163) d GWS GIANTS 6.6 (42) at Spotless Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The GIANTS thrashed Richmond from the opening bounce when the teams last played, kicking eight goals to one behind in the first quarter, and the Tigers managed only 1.2 in the first half.
2. No team has been better in the clearances this season than the GIANTS, who are ranked first averaging 42.3 per game. They're also ranked second in centre clearances, with Richmond equal 16th.
3. Richmond has won six of the seven clashes with the GIANTS, with two of those being by more than 100 points.
4. The Tigers are ranked last for possessions, averaging 349.4 per game, compared to the GIANTS, who are ranked equal eighth at an average of 388.8. In contested possessions the GIANTS are third and Tigers fifth.
5. The teams have played three times at Spotless Stadium and Richmond is undefeated, with wins by 12, 121 and 113 points. The Tigers have won four of their last five games in Sydney.
6. Powerful Tiger Dustin Martin (14th) is this game's highest ranked player in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, and could go head to head with GIANTS co-captain Callan Ward (23rd) in what should be a classic match-up.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Alex Rance
If the Tigers are any chance of causing an upset, the game's best tall defender must do a job on star GIANT Jeremy Cameron. Rance likes to be Richmond's extra man in the defensive 50, but for the sake of his team, he has to take responsibility for shutting Cameron down.
The GIANTS take on Richmond at Spotless Stadium on Saturday at 4.35pm, click here to buy your tickets now.
