Cats vs. Tigers free tips & multi odds for AFL Saturday

PATRICK Dangerfield will return from suspension for Geelong’s crucial AFL clash with Richmond on Saturday afternoon.

The superstar midfielder was sorely missed when the Sydney Swans ended the Cats’ unbeaten record at Simonds Stadium last Friday night.

Daniel Menzel and Steven Motlop are also expected back this weekend, but those big ins coincide with some huge outs.

Joel Selwood will miss the remainder of the home and away season after undergoing surgery on an injured ankle.

The club captain is an outside chance to be fit in time for the first week of finals.

Also absent are Mitch Duncan and Tom Hawkins, both suspended over incidents from the defeat to Sydney.

Geelong has accepted suspensions handed to Tom Hawkins and Mitch Duncan.

Details: https://t.co/ttnytBl89d pic.twitter.com/P2wqRa7Axh

— AFL (@AFL) August 8, 2017

Richmond will have Jack Riewoldt back from a nasty eye injury, but one could forgive coach Damien Hardwick for toying with the idea of leaving the big man out for another week.

The Tigers made expert use of their undersized forward line last Sunday, bamboozling the Hawthorn defence with clever movement, hard running and short, pinpoint passing.

Now Hardwick and his match committee must swing the axe despite four impressive wins in a row.

It does not help the selectors that Josh Caddy ran all over the Hawks with four goals and change in his best outing yet in the yellow and black.

Ivan Soldo could be the unlucky one to miss out, although the big man did contribute 16 hitouts and a goal as second fiddle to Toby Nankervis.

Jason Castagna had only 11 touches and failed to hit the score sheet, which could open the door for the likes of Ben Lennon and Tyson Stengle.

Despite their good form, Richmond are not an especially high-scoring side.

Their game is built on shutting teams down, winning the midfield battle and kicking enough goals to get the job done.

The Tigers are averaging well under 90 points per game this season, so a shootout does not look very likely.

The question is whether the undermanned Cats can keep up.

Dangerfield is a big inclusion, but he will carry a heavy burden with Duncan and skipper Selwood both out.

The absence of Hawkins also means Alex Rance and the league-leading Richmond defence should have a huge advantage over the Geelong forwards.

All signs point to a Tigers win, but don’t expect them to kick a cricket score.

The likes of Dangerfield and Dustin Martin are offering minimal value in the player markets, which is why we have plumped for Menegola to maintain his very steady output in the Geelong midfield.

Geelong vs. Richmond bookie specials

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AFL Fantasy markets at William Hill – Bet on how many fantasy points your favourite players will rack up, including superstars like Cotchin, Dangerfield and Martin.