Geelong return from a week off as they look to build momentum in the back half of the season, starting with a Round 17 clash against Richmond on Saturday afternoon. 

The Tigers notched a few impressive victories in the first half of the year but have struggled otherwise, sitting in 17th on the ladder as they opt to build from the ground up with a number of talented youngsters. 

While Geelong have a clear advantage when looking through key statistics, it is still not a challenge they can afford to take lightly with Richmond pushing the Cats all the way in their most recent clash (Round 12, 2024). 

Check out the key things to watch as Geelong takes on Richmond at GMHBA Stadium, proudly presented by Deakin University. 

Ladder 

Geelong: 4th (10-5)

Richmond: 17th (3-12)

Points For 

Geelong: 1477

Richmond: 963

Points Against 

Geelong: 1158

Richmond: 1486

Deakin Performance Stat of the Week 

Nullifying Richmond's Midfield Trio

Richmond have quite a clear and obvious strength and that is through the midfield, lead by the the trio of Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto and Dion Prestia since returning from injury. 

Despite being comfortably beaten last week, Richmond still won the clearance battle (+7) holding a strong ascendancy around centre clearances (+5) in particular. 

Hopper and Taranto sit inside the AFL's top 20 players for clearances and contested possessions this year, while both averaging over 25 disposals per game. 

Prestia recently returned from injury but has been impressive over the past month, averaging over 25 disposals and six clearances per game in his four appearances so far. 

For Geelong to control proceedings on Saturday afternoon, they will need to gain ascendancy around stoppages and keep this trio quiet. 

Richmond's 2025 Stats

Locking the ball inside forward 50 

From a team perspective, an area that Richmond excel in is their ability to rebound the ball from their defensive 50. 

So far in 2025, the Tigers average 41.1 rebound 50s per game which is the third highest average of any team in the competition, only behind GWS (46.2) and West Coast (42.1). 

This statistic is lead by Nick Vlastuin who has 31 more rebounds than any other Tiger, but they have a fairly even spread otherwise from players like Tom Brown, Ben Miller and Nathan Broad. 

Geelong will need to find effective avenues to goal on Saturday, to make the most of their entries inside 50. 

Richmond's Leading Rebound Defenders

Keep an eye on Nick Vlastuin

The standout leader in amongst a young and inexperienced Richmond defensive unit, Vlastuin has been very impressive despite a challenging campaign for his side so far.

Averaging over 19 disposals and six marks per game, the veteran defender leads the Tigers in Rebounds 50s, intercept possessions and intercept marks, ranking inside the AFL's top 10 players in each of those statistics this year. 

Also damaging with ball in hand, Vlastuin is going at a very handy 80.4% disposal efficiency in 2025, something the Cats will need to be aware of if they want to make the most of their forward 50 entries on Saturday.