From Hawthorn's opposition analysis:Richmond are one of the in-form teams of the competition, having won five of their last six games.
Currently sitting in fourth spot, the Tigers enter the final month of the home and away season well and truly in the hunt for a double chance.
Having finished 13th in 2016, Richmond’s revival has been affected by playing a more direct brand of football this season.
Despite being one of only three teams to have won 12 or more games this year, the Tigers rank 17th in disposals per game, 18th in uncontested possession and 17th for marks in the competition.
Where Richmond are excelling is in the way they are using the ball, rating first in the league for disposal efficiency. Their lack of high disposal numbers doesn’t interrupt their inside 50 production either with the fourth highest inside 50 average and the second greatest marks inside 50 tally.
The Tigers are playing a unique brand of footy this season, but it has held them in good stead to this point in the year.
The midfield battle on Sunday will be where this game is won and lost and the Hawks’ intent will be placed on stopping the Tigers at the source and not allowing them to have control over the pace of the game.
http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/2017-08-03/oppo-analysis-r20
