The Tigers have continued their outstanding title defence and will take another step towards the minor premiership by beating Essendon at the MCG tonight.
There’s plenty of crucial clashes set to take place in Round 22 of the AFL, including Saturday afternoon’s meeting between the Pies and Power and a Sydney Derby later that day.
Focus shifts to the nation’s west on Sunday when the Eagles and Dees jostle for a stronger position in the top eight.
The first clash of round 22 see two of the competitions inform sides go head to head at the G. It’s do-or-die for the reborn Dons as a loss will see their dim finals chance completely extinguished, while the Tigers have a chance to lock up the minor premiership with a victory.
The Dons fly into this round off the back of dishing out a seven-goal belting to the lowly Saints. McDonald-Tipungwuti enjoyed a standout performance in the forward line slotting a career high five goals, while Zach Merrett had his way through the middle of the park accumulating 36 disposals.
The Tigers come roaring into this blockbuster after cruising to a 74-point victory over an incompetent Suns outfit. Jack Riewoldt had a field day, kicking a bag of ten goals against a stagnant backline. Richmond will be without key trio Dion Prestia, David Astbury and Trent Cotchin through injury which could give the Dons and edge through the middle of the park.
The Tigers hold an impressive record against the Dons, winning their last seven encounters and should extend their record to 20 straight victories at the G!
The first clash of round 22 see two of the competitions inform sides go head to head at the G. It’s do-or-die for the reborn Dons as a loss will see their dim finals chance completely extinguished, while the Tigers have a chance to lock up the minor premiership with a victory.
The Dons fly into this round off the back of dishing out a seven-goal belting to the lowly Saints. McDonald-Tipungwuti enjoyed a standout performance in the forward line slotting a career high five goals, while Zach Merrett had his way through the middle of the park accumulating 36 disposals.
The Tigers come roaring into this blockbuster after cruising to a 74-point victory over an incompetent Suns outfit. Jack Riewoldt had a field day, kicking a bag of ten goals against a stagnant backline. Richmond will be without key trio Dion Prestia, David Astbury and Trent Cotchin through injury which could give the Dons and edge through the middle of the park.
The Tigers hold an impressive record against the Dons, winning their last seven encounters and should extend their record to 20 straight victories at the G!
Geelong play host to the Dockers in the second Saturday fixture, where a loss for the Cats could spell the end of their top eight aspirations.
The Dockers came back from a 19-point deficit to will comfortably win over the wooden spoon bound Blues by six goals. Lachie Neale stared in the midfield finishing with 34 touched and 10 clearances while resigning veteran David Mundy chipped in with 28 disposals to go with one goal.
Geelong went down to arch rivals Hawthorn by 11 points last round after getting off to a sluggish start, where the Cats failed to kick a major in the opening term. Patrick Dangerfield found his hands on the ball 40 times throughout the contest while Gary Ablett was back to his best finishing the game with 32 touches, eight clearances and three goals.
The Cats at home are a daunting task for the best of sides, with Freo’s inexperienced youngsters struggling interstate this could end up as a blowout.
The match of the round comes to us from Spotless stadium, where the Giants will play host to the Swans in the 15th Sydney Derby.
The Giants are the competitions inform side winning nine of their last ten fixtures, including a victory against the table topping Tigers. GWS ran out 105-point winners against the bumbling Blues last week, although the victory was marred with injuries to key trio Sam Ried, Heath Shaw and midfield gun Josh Kelly.
After being ruled out of finals contention by various AFL pundits the Swans have responded in spectacular fashion with gutsy victories against top eight rivals the Pies and the Dees in recent weeks. Dane Rampe and Aliir Aliir have been worth their weight in gold, nullifying two of the competitions premier attacking units.
The Swans have been up to the task in recent weeks against quality competition and have the belief to get over the line against their young cross-town rivals.
Brisbane travel down the road to take on the Sun’s in the 16th addition of the QClash. Unsurprisingly the only thing on the line will be pride, with both Queensland sides sitting inside the bottom four.
The Sus won the reverse fixture against the Lions earlier in the season by less than one straight kick. Unfortunately for the Gold Coast fans they have only managed one more win from their following 15 games. The Suns folded to a 74-point defeat against the reigning premiers last round and seem to be praying for seasons end.
Brisbane have only managed four wins of their own this season. Despite their position the Lions have been putting the right foot forward playing an attacking brand of footy and taking it to the top sides in the comp. Chris Fagan has instilled a winning belief in his young side and will be looking to re-establish dominance over their struggling neighbours.
With half their senior side sitting on the sidelines and their self-belief down the drain the Suns will do well to avoid a flogging at home.
Saturday’s last clash sees the inconsistent Saints take on the soaring Hawks at the Etihad Stadium.
The Saints have had a hard time of it of late suffering huge defeats during their past four outings, the most recent of which was at the hand of a ruthless Dons side. The Saints started strongly in the opening quarter but were blasted out of the park in the following three terms as the Bombers added 13 goals to the Saints seven. Seb Ross was a standout for St Kilda, controlling the midfield and finishing with a huge 43 touches.
The Hawks have flow into the top four from out of nowhere off the back of four straight victories following a surprise defeat to the battling Lions outfit. Tom Mitchell has continued racking up baffling figures finishing with 32 touches and 13 clearance during his side victory against the Cats last round. Shaun Burgoyne showed his class with a handy 20 disposals, 13 tackles and seven clearances.
Hawthorn shouldn’t have any issues putting the Saints to the sword while consolidating their position in the competitions top four.
Saturday’s last clash sees the inconsistent Saints take on the soaring Hawks at the Etihad Stadium.
The Saints have had a hard time of it of late suffering huge defeats during their past four outings, the most recent of which was at the hand of a ruthless Dons side. The Saints started strongly in the opening quarter but were blasted out of the park in the following three terms as the Bombers added 13 goals to the Saints seven. Seb Ross was a standout for St Kilda, controlling the midfield and finishing with a huge 43 touches.
The Hawks have flow into the top four from out of nowhere off the back of four straight victories following a surprise defeat to the battling Lions outfit. Tom Mitchell has continued racking up baffling figures finishing with 32 touches and 13 clearance during his side victory against the Cats last round. Shaun Burgoyne showed his class with a handy 20 disposals, 13 tackles and seven clearances.
Hawthorn shouldn’t have any issues putting the Saints to the sword while consolidating their position in the competitions top four.
Saturday’s last clash sees the inconsistent Saints take on the soaring Hawks at the Etihad Stadium.
The Saints have had a hard time of it of late suffering huge defeats during their past four outings, the most recent of which was at the hand of a ruthless Dons side. The Saints started strongly in the opening quarter but were blasted out of the park in the following three terms as the Bombers added 13 goals to the Saints seven. Seb Ross was a standout for St Kilda, controlling the midfield and finishing with a huge 43 touches.
The Hawks have flow into the top four from out of nowhere off the back of four straight victories following a surprise defeat to the battling Lions outfit. Tom Mitchell has continued racking up baffling figures finishing with 32 touches and 13 clearance during his side victory against the Cats last round. Shaun Burgoyne showed his class with a handy 20 disposals, 13 tackles and seven clearances.
Hawthorn shouldn’t have any issues putting the Saints to the sword while consolidating their position in the competitions top four.
Saturday’s last clash sees the inconsistent Saints take on the soaring Hawks at the Etihad Stadium.
The Saints have had a hard time of it of late suffering huge defeats during their past four outings, the most recent of which was at the hand of a ruthless Dons side. The Saints started strongly in the opening quarter but were blasted out of the park in the following three terms as the Bombers added 13 goals to the Saints seven. Seb Ross was a standout for St Kilda, controlling the midfield and finishing with a huge 43 touches.
The Hawks have flow into the top four from out of nowhere off the back of four straight victories following a surprise defeat to the battling Lions outfit. Tom Mitchell has continued racking up baffling figures finishing with 32 touches and 13 clearance during his side victory against the Cats last round. Shaun Burgoyne showed his class with a handy 20 disposals, 13 tackles and seven clearances.
Hawthorn shouldn’t have any issues putting the Saints to the sword while consolidating their position in the competitions top four.