We'll endeavour to run through the form, incorporate appropriate stats and also supply a betting prediction which won't always just be who will win.

RICHMOND V GEELONG

Friday 20 September @ MCG

First of the Prelims sees the regular tenant and a part time tenant chasing more MCG glory and a spot in the 2019 AFL Grand Final.

We heard all along about Geelong playing a final at the MCG. One could say as they are a yearly MCG user, Richmond must be annoyed playing the Prelim at Geelong's home turf - haha.

But seriously Richmond has barely moved for three months and gets to face the Cats sans their most influential goal scorer who has been in great form.

Can Geelong repel Dustin Martin? Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images Tom Hawkins did himself and his team an injustice by getting suspended against the Eagles. There was no need for it.

He kicked 4 of the 13 from Geelong that night and it will be so very hard to find those goals.

Well the Tigers have been waiting two weeks but in reality have been waiting 12 months to dispel what occurred to them in last year's Prelim.

Collingwood were outsiders and they gave them a fearful hiding in the first half - something Richmond could not recover from.

There is no Mason Cox this year and without Hawkins, it is even less likely to occur.

The Tiges could well win even if the Tomahawk played. They took every punch Brisbane gave them at the Gabba just into the second quarter and then put the after-burners on.

Near ten goals was a remarkable margin given the Lions had more scoring shots.

Everyone quite rightly focused on Dustin Martin and his six goals. He can do very little wrong. Injury may have quietened his 2018 season but nothing is wrong as of now. He did only have 14 disposals. Others support so well to allow him to do that.

It's the likes of Edwards, Prestia and Lambert that cover his back and let him run forward of the ball. Geelong will need to double and maybe triple team Martin.

The other man who gets very little kudos is Nick Vlastuin. Rance, when he was there and Dylan Grimes now, are the cynosure of all defensive eyes in yellow and back.

But No 1 really has been number one of late. He's been marking like McGovern, taking the interceptions which annoy offensive structures.

Geelong cannot afford to bomb the ball in. They will have to work it in slowly and accurately. Precision is critical. Are they capable of it?

They have excellence through the midfield via Ablett, Kelly and Dangerfield (Duncan may or may not play). The big matter now is without Hawkins, will Paddy play a marking role?

They did a good job to rebound, after a poor start the week prior to Collingwood, and then run over the top of West Coast. They began much better last Friday but then gave up the front.

Ratugolea has much on his back now Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images But they balanced, held their nerve and won by 20 points. Ratugolea was the other focal point with three goals and several contested marks.

Can he roll out a big Texan accent and irritate and infuriate Richmond for a second straight season?

In order to beat the Tigers, Geelong needs to control the ball. Are they good enough to do it? Richmond love chaos balls – constant play on and taps. They have a Pagan's paddock style set ups leaving either Riewoldt or Lynch as the sole man to hit up and then the little followers get going.

Don't forget there will be no ruck dominance like Grundy did last year given the Cats stocks in that department.

The less time Richmond touches the pill, the less time they have to be dangerous with it. If Geelong has many uncontested possessions they are a hope.

But history says there are one and often two blowouts in the Prelims. It's hard to see this as being close if the Tigers are atop their game.

Looks like there might be rain around though. Here's hoping the right forecasting gets to the Kardinia Parkers. That could even the contest though Richmond are great wet weather travellers.

Have to tip them but suggest it might not be a high scoring match given potential conditions.

Match Selection: Richmond by 35 points

Suggested Bets: Under 149.5 points @ $1.95