PREVIEW: Richmond v GWS (Sunday - 3:20pm - MCG)
Lachlan Geleit
SEN
23 March 2022The two finals contenders will be desperate for a win here after both losing their respective Round 1 fixtures.
Richmond were ran over the top of late by a revitalised Carlton outfit, while GWS were reasonable in defeat to a strong Sydney side.
This will be the first time these two sides have met at the MCG since the 2019 Grand Final, but it’s the Giants who have held sway head-to-head since they were dismantled by Richmond on that fateful day.
GWS have won two of the last three against Richmond since that encounter, also claiming the last match-up by 39 points in 2021 at Marvel Stadium.
In that clash, the Giants got it inside 50 more than their opponents and were ultimately more efficient when they got there - they’ll be hoping to go about this one in similar fashion.
One key area of dominance for the Giants in this battle is their midfield, particularly as Richmond will be without Dion Prestia.
Without Prestia, Richmond will need to bounce back from a poor on-ball performance in Round 1, that’s easier said than done against the likes of Tom Green, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Josh Kelly, Callan Ward and Stephen Coniglio.
While the Tigers will back in their system to get the job done, it’s tough to see them getting close to drawing level in the centre of the ground.
Expect a strong response from Richmond, but GWS should win this game if their midfield unit controls the stoppage and wins the clearance battle.
Tip: GWS by 14 points.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/03/23/who-will-win-and-why-the-predictions-and-tips-for-round-2/
