Head to head: Richmond 13 wins, West Coast 21 wins
Last time: West Coast 17.23 (125) d Richmond 6.9 (45), round 22, 2009 at Subiaco Oval
MISSING IN ACTION
Richmond
Matt Dea (foot) - indefinite
Nathan Foley (leg) - test
Ben Griffiths (corked thigh) - test
Kel Moore (calf) - test
West Coast
Sam Butler (ankle) - 2 weeks
Darren Glass (abdomen) - test
Ash Hansen (hip) - test
Jordan Jones (ankle) - 7 weeks
Daniel Kerr (hamstring) - 7 weeks
Chris Masten (knee) - 2 weeks
Adam Selwood (shoulder) - 2 weeks
Luke Shuey (virus) - indefinite
FORM
Richmond: LLLWL
West Coast: WWLLL
SUMMARY
The Eagles have built a reputation as a team that travels poorly, but they beat the Bulldogs at Etihad late last year, and have already won at the MCG this season. The Tigers, however, have won just one of their previous 15 games, which gives them an atrocious recent record, home or away. The teams split the honours last year, although the Eagles smashed the Tigers by 80 points in round 22. Overall, the Eagles have a good record against the side that beat them in their first-ever VFL game, but at the MCG it's much closer, with the Eagles winning seven from 13. It's been awhile, though, since the Tigers beat the Eagles at the MCG - round eight, 2002 - and no Tiger player remains on their list since that victory. The Tigers will be hoping for the predicted rain after smashing Port Adelaide in the mud at AAMI Stadium a couple of weeks ago.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Daniel Connors is expected to come straight back into the side after serving an eight-week club-imposed suspension for being drunk and disorderly after the round three loss to the Sydney Swans. He's been cutting them up at Coburg, and will be desperate to redeem himself in the AFL side.
Josh Kennedy has played 12 matches at the MCG in his time as an Eagle and a Blue, but has kicked just 14 goals there. But with 32 from 11 games this year, he will be looking to use that form to increase his tally at the home of football.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Tigers snaffle their second win in three weeks?
How will Daniel Connors go in his first game back?
Can the Eagles - two games and percentage out of the eight - win to keep their finals hopes alive?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Tigers have the better recent record with a win a couple of weeks ago, although the Eagles pushed the Cats for three quarters at Subiaco last week. Expect the Tigers' midfield to get enough ball to Jack Riewoldt and the other Tiger forwards to kick a winning score.
PREDICTION
Tigers by 21 points
Chat with host Murray Belkin and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 12.40pm Sunday or join the conversation on Twitter: #afltigerseagles
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
