Contested football has been a huge focus for Richmond in the lead-up to Saturday’s crucial clash with Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium.

It’s an area of the game that was a real strength of the Tigers when they made the final eight last year, but has fallen away significantly for them so far this season.

The Tiger players have done a lot of contested work at training throughout the week, as they strive to find the way out of their form slump.

GWS has received a significant boost with the return of its giant ruckman Shane Mumford following a five-match absence through injury.  Mumford’s early-season form was a major reason why the Giants won two of their first three games (both at home).

Richmond ruckmen Shaun Hampson, Ty Vickery and Ben Griffiths will need to compete strongly to negate Mumford’s influence, and assist the Tiger midfielders to win their fair share of ball at centre bounces, as well as around-the-ground stoppages.

Obtaining better value for inside-50 entries is another key focus for the Tigers in Saturday’s match, with last week’s 9.20 against Melbourne proving so costly.


Where:  Spotless Stadium
When:  Saturday, May 24, 1.40pm (EST)
TV coverage:  Fox Footy (live from 1.30pm)
Radio coverage:  3AW, SEN, Triple M, ABC


The Richmond team
B:  Chaplin, Grimes, Rance
HB:  Houli, Lennon, Morris
C:  Grigg, Jackson, Conca
HF:  Martin, Griffiths, Deledio
F:  S. Edwards, Riewoldt, Vickery
R:  Hampson, Ellis, Cotchin
IC:  McDonough, Dea, Foley, Thomas
Em:  Petterd, Miles, Lloyd

In:  Grimes, Dea, Thomas
Out:  Astbury (inj – dislocated kneecap), Vlastuin (inj – broken finger), Lloyd (omitted)

Milestones:  Brett Deledio – 200 games, Bachar Houli – 100 games

See the full team list and how GWS will line-up, presented by Sportsbet.com.au

Richmond v Greater Western Sydney recent history

Round 22, 2013, Spotless Stadium
Richmond            4.4          15.9        19.10     25.13  (163)
GWS                      3.0          3.1          6.4          6.6  (42)
Goals – Richmond:  A. Edwards 5, Conca 3, Ellis 3, Grigg 2, Houli 2, Maric 2, Petterd 2, Vickery 2, S. Edwards, King, Morris, Riewoldt.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond:  Martin 33, Conca 28, Houli 28, Grigg 26, Jackson 25, Chaplin 23, Deledio 23, White 22, Rance 21, A. Edwards 20, Ellis 20.
Goals – GWS:  Adams, Greene, Jaksch, Scully, Shiel, Sumner.
Leading possession-getters – GWS:  Adams 23, Green 23, Shiel 23, Scully 22, Tomlinson 22, Treloar 22.

Round 12, 2012 at Spotless Stadium
Richmond            4.2          6.7          9.14        11.20  (86)
GWS                      2.0          5.1          8.1          12.2  (74)
Goals – Richmond:  Connors 3, Riewoldt 3, S. Edwards 2, Cotchin, Deledio, Jackson.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond:  Deledio 30, Tuck 29, Houli 27, Cotchin 25, Conca 22, Grigg 22.
Goals – GWS:  Cameron 3, Greene 2, Palmer 2, McDonald, Patton, Phillips, Schulz, Shiel.
Leading possession-getters – GWS:  Greene 24, Cornes 23, Davis 23, Scully 20, Ward 20


Fast Fact:  Jack Riewold is ranked No. 1 at Richmond for total marks this season, with 44.