Presenting all you need to know about the Tigers ahead of Saturday's monumental clash at the MCG:
Form
The Tigers are sitting pretty at the top of the ladder, boasting a 13-4 win-loss record. Each of their losses has come on the road. In contrast, they have won their past 17 games at the MCG, a streak that has brought them level with the record for consecutive wins at the 'G, set by Melbourne in 1955-56.
Last weekend, Richmond defeated St Kilda in a one-sided Friday night game at Etihad Stadium. The Tigers set up their victory with a barnstorming first half in which they booted 11 goals to two.
What they're saying
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick spoke to the media on Thursday morning and the following story was subsequently published on AFL.com.au:
Premiership defender Bachar Houli won't play at any level this weekend as the Tigers look to restock his post-injury fitness with a training block.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick denied the 30-year-old returned too early from the groin complaint that saw him miss five games from round 10, despite him pulling up sore after his round 17 comeback.
Hardwick said there was a chance Houli would appear at VFL level in round 20, but this week he would focus on training after deeming his groin "not to the level" he was comfortable playing at.
"He won't play this week. We'll take a conservative approach with him," Hardwick said.
"He's probably started to miss too much footy, so we'll pull him back a bit, get a good training block into him again just to make sure he's ready to go.
"It's one of those injuries where we could probably push the envelope, but we're not quite sure how it's going to respond, so we'd rather be a bit conservative and make sure when he's ready to go, he's ready to go.
"It's a little bit disappointing for us because he's such an important player for us, but we're hoping in the short term that turns around."
Players to watch
Dion Prestia has been in sensational form since returning to the Tigers' line-up for the round 15 clash with the Swans at Etihad Stadium. Prestia was dominant against the Saints last weekend, finishing with 26 disposals and three goals.
Last time: Round 6, 2018 at the MCG
Match report excerpt: Richmond has consolidated its spot on top of the ladder with a 43-point win over Collingwood, an eight-goal final term inflating the final margin from what was a hard-fought clash.
Both teams entered the game off shortened breaks but each attacked the contest with a ferocity that belied any signs of weariness, while the Magpies' fighting performance against the reigning premier underlined their genuine finals claims.
Collingwood led at stages in each of the first three quarters, and as late as the 22-minute mark of the third term.
But the Tigers' unrelenting pressure eventually broke yet another opponent as they piled on the next five goals – the first three from Josh Caddy on his return from a hamstring injury – and the last four goals of the game to seal an impressive 16.17 (113) to 10.10 (70) victory.
Richmond's win was its third in a row against Collingwood and its fifth from the teams' last six clashes.
Trent Cotchin (29 possessions and five inside 50s) led the way for his team with his class and tireless work rate through the midfield, while Dustin Martin (29 possessions and 10 clearances) rode shotgun with his captain and put the final nail through the Magpies' coffin with a classy goal on the run late in the final term.
COLLINGWOOD 2.2 5.7 7.9 10.10 (70)
RICHMOND 3.4 4.9 8.14 16.17 (113)
GOALS
Collingwood: Reid 2, Hoskin-Elliott 2, Cox 2, Pendlebury, De Goey, Treloar, Stephenson
Richmond: Caddy 4, Riewoldt 3, Butler 3, Higgins 2,Castagna 2, Short, Martin
BEST
Collingwood: Phillips, Treloar, Grundy, Crisp, Pendlebury, Sidebottom
Richmond: Cotchin, Nankervis, Martin, Grimes, Houli, Prestia, Caddy
INJURIES
Collingwood: Aish (PCL), Reid (Achilles), Maynard (ankle)
Richmond: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Deboy, Hosking, Chamberlain
Official crowd: 72,157 at the MCG
Jordan De Goey celebrates kicking a goal against Richmond in round six. Unfortunately, he won't be playing this time around (AFL Photos)
