SHAUN Higgins will step out of the coaches box and back onto the playing field when the Bendigo Bank Cats play Richmond in the VFL this Sunday at GMHBA Stadium from 12pm.

After a stint in the box at last week's AFL clash in Perth, Higgins will play his first VFL game since 2014 on Sunday.

The 34-year-old is one of eight inclusions to the Cats team this week with fellow AFL-listed players Cooper Stephens, Ollie Dempsey, Francis Evans, Shannon Neale, Paul Tsapatolis and Luke Dahlhaus also named.

Matty Lloyd is the only VFL-listed inclusion following a string of consistent performances for Geelong league Club Newtown & Chilwell.

The game is shaping up as a crucial clash for both sides with Richmond and Geelong sitting 12th and 13th respectively on the VFL ladder, with only percentage separating them from eighth-placed Sydney.

Fans can watch all the action LIVE HERE from 12pm AEST on Sunday.

VFL Round 14 Team

Ins: Shaun Higgins, Cooper Stephens, Ollie Dempsey, Francis Evans, Shannon Neale, Paul Tsapatolis, Luke Dahlhaus, Matty Lloyd

Outs: Jack Henry (AFL), Max Holmes (AFL), Nick Stevens, Ryan Abbott, Tom Panuccio, Charlie Sprague, Marcus Herbert, Ben Worme

The Bendigo Bank Cats have fallen to Richmond by 14-points at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday.

Geelong led for almost the entire match until Richmond took the lead halfway through the final term and never looked back, with the final score reading 13.11 (89) to 16.7 (103).

Match Statistics - Geelong v Richmond

An outstanding first quarter saw Geelong get started with three inside 50s for three goals in the first five minutes, while also holding Richmond to three disposals in that period.

Repeat inside 50s were Geelong’s friend in the second quarter as the boys did well to keep up the pressure in their half.

After holding a 27-point lead in the final term, their performance failed to live up to expectations as Richmond kicked eight goals to one. 

One key area of improvement after the past two weeks was Geelong’s clean disposals out of the contest and heading inside 50 through the first three quarters.

Jye Chalcraft was a standout in the loss for the Cats. The young VFL-listed midfielder was outstanding as he collected 35 disposals and eight clearances - a true reflection of his terrific work rate.

Ollie Dempsey enjoyed a slight change in role as he played up on the wing earning some quality contested possessions in wet conditions to go with his seven marks and goal.

Cooper Stephens (28 disposals, 1 goal) and Quinton Narkle (24 disposals, 5 clearances) were other strong contributors for the Cats.

Heading into their next game Geelong’s finals chances are still alive despite sitting in 13th with only two games separating them and Brisbane in third.

Geelong will next travel to Frankston at Skybus Stadium, Saturday 2 July at 7.05pm.

VFL Round 14

GEELONG  5.4  7.7  12.9  13.11 (89)
RICHMOND  3.1  5.5  8.6  16.7 (103)

GOALS: Ratugolea, F. Evans, Neale 2, Conway, Stephens, Narkle, Dempsey, Williams, Panuccio, J. Evans 1

BEST: Chalcraft, Stephens, F. Evans, Dempsey, Narkle, B. Lloyd

REPORTS: Nil

INJURIES: Nil

@ GMHBA