Kelly & Cotchin tackles & disposal betting – GWS vs. Richmond tips

Ladder Position:
GWS Giants: 10th
Richmond Tigers: 1st

Premiership Odds:
GWS Giants: $51.00
Richmond Tigers: $2.75

Form Guide:
GWS Giants: WWWWL
Richmond Tigers: WLWWW

Round 16 Result:
GWS Giants: Loss to West Coast, 86 – 75
Richmond Tigers: Win over Adelaide, 103 – 56

This Saturday at Spotless Stadium, it will be the GWS Giants‘ turn to take on the juggernaut that is the Richmond Tigers.

For the Tigers, this match appears to be one of the few danger games left in 2018 — an important stepping stone in the club’s pursuit to finish the season atop the AFL ladder.

For the Giants, this is a must-win game, as their ladder position continues to travel south after each loss. With just half a game being the margin between the Giants and a top eight position, percentage doesn’t impact them as much, but they still need to make up for unexpected losses early in the year.

Giants forward Jeremy Cameron is still sidelined — the third week of his five-week suspension — and Jon Patton has been ruled out for 12 months after a horrifying third ACL injury, meaning Leon Cameron has far less weapons in his kit bag. But, there are reinforcements on the way. The return of Toby Greene and Brett Deledio could fill the void that the key position boys have left behind. Toby Greene was his side’s most important player last year and his return could reinvigorate a tired forward line.

Richmond played well and secured a win last week at the MCG against the Crows, but it wasn’t without some bumps along the way. Premiership trio Dan Butler, Nathan Broad and Jack Graham will all miss with different injuries, but the Tigers will happily see the return of Bachar Houli, Jacob Townsend and Nick Vlastuin to cover them. Houli has finally overcome a groin injury, whilst Townsend and Vlastuin are back from suspension.

This match is set to be one of the best games round 17 has to offer, here are our tips for the clash.

GWS Giants vs. Richmond Tigers Round 17 – Total Points Tips

GWS Giants 61-75 total points @ $2.88

In recent matches the Giants have pushed through the injuries and managed to score healthy totals. In their last encounter with the Eagles, they still tallied 75-points in a loss. Richmond could be considered a completely different reality compared to the other teams in the league — its defensive structure works so well that teams find it near impossible to score. We see the Giants scoring in the 9-11 goal range, the average against Richmond.

Richmond Tigers 76-90 total points @ $3.25

With the inclusions balancing out the injury losses, the Tigers should be capable of kicking a winning score. Jack Riewoldt is playing career-best football, leading a damaging forward line. If they can pick their way through the Giants zone, the yellow and black will be able to exploit the Giants’ younger and less experienced players.

GWS Giants vs. Richmond Tigers Round 17 – Player Special Tips

Joshua Kelly to get 30 Disposals @ $1.80

Since returning from a groin injury that hampered most of his 2018 season, Kelly has been one of the premium talents in the league. Cream rises to the top and Josh Kelly is a great example of this. Even in the super-talented midfield, Kelly manages to stand out and impact the most. When they challenge the Tigers on Saturday night, the man who would normally match-up with Kelly, Jack Graham, is not going to take part in the match, meaning Kelly will be marked by a player that might not be fully prepared for the job. 30 disposals will not be too hard a task for such a gun.

Trent Cotchin to lay 6 tackles @ $2.25

One of the hardest players in the league, Trent Cotchin is extremely underrated in this asset of his football. Whether you like to admit it or not, the Richmond skipper does an excellent job at sticking tackles and leading by example. If the match is dewy or even wet, Trent will play to another level and prove he is the best of the best. Cotchin will easily lay six tackles in this match if he spends the whole game in the centre.

GWS Giants vs. Richmond Tigers Round 17 – Halftime / Fulltime Tips

Richmond Tigers / Richmond Tigers @ $1.72

It would be a monstrous effort if the Giants were able to keep up with the Tigers for the entire match. A feat we can’t see unfolding. The Tigers will lead the match at half time and put the foot on the pedal in the final quarter, like they have done so many times this year.

Giants vs. Tigers Match Predictions

Match Result: Richmond Tigers to win @ $1.50
Line Betting: GWS Giants + 13.5 @ $1.92

We do expect the Tigers to win, but they will have to earn it. We took the Giants at the line because of how well they played in Perth last week, nearly overcame the Eagles.