Richmond has been the yardstick of the AFL competition for the last few seasons, but the Western Bulldogs will be buoyed by a strong recent record against the reigning premiers.
The Dogs have claimed the points in five of the last six contests between the sides, stretching back to 2014.
And they saluted each time they faced the Tigers in their premiership years, 2017 and 2019.
Here’s a look at the last five encounters between the Bulldogs and the Tigers.
2019 – Round 7 (Bulldogs 99 defeated Tigers 52)
The Bulldogs were on a four-game losing streak coming into this clash last year, and put in a stunning performance to get their season back on track.
It was Aaron Naughton’s breakout game – five goals and nine contested marks – which led the Dogs to an emphatic victory.
After an even start, the Bulldogs exploded, kicking 13 goals to four after quarter time to streak to a 47-point win.
2018 – Round 23 (Tigers 98 defeated Bulldogs 95)
The finals were out of reach of the Bulldogs late in the 2018 season, but three consecutive wins leading into the final round had their fans excited about the future.
Against the highly-fancied Tigers, they nearly pulled off a massive upset at the MCG.
Led by 43 disposals from Jack Macrae and three goals from Billy Gowers, the Dogs had a chance to pinch victory in the final seconds, but Brad Lynch’s long-range snap from the boundary hit the post and Richmond prevailed by three points.
2017 – Round 7 (Bulldogs 80 defeated Tigers 75)
The Bulldogs scored a thrilling comeback win at Marvel Stadium. Early in the third quarter the Dogs trailed by 23 points, but inspired by a three-goal second half from Clay Smith, they got over the line by five points in a tight finish.
Smith ended up with four goals – an equal career high – while Jack Macrae and Luke Dahlhaus won plenty of the ball and Marcus Bontempelli snared the three Brownlow votes.
2016 – Round 16 (Bulldogs 85 defeated Tigers 75)
Another victory in tight tussle at Marvel Stadium which lifted the Bulldogs into the top four in their premiership year.
The Dogs trailed by 14 points deep into the third quarter, but finished with seven of the last 10 goals, including the last three of the match.
Jake Stringer kicked four second half majors, and the Bont was again best afield with 25 touches, two goals and eight tackles.
2015 – Round 2 (Bulldogs 85 defeated Tigers 66)
Both sides started the 2015 season with wins, and it was the Bulldogs who kept their streak alive with a comfortable win against the Tigers.
The Dogs won three of the four quarters, stretching out to a 29-point lead by three quarter time and doing enough in the last to secure the win, despite conceding seven scoring shots to two.
Tory Dickson booted four goals for the winners and, you guessed it, Bontempelli was the best player on the ground.
