Saturday’s only AFL Round 13 match is between Western Bulldogs and Richmond. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7:40pm local time with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The away team Richmond Tigers are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Western Bulldogs and Richmond.

WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday 22 June, 7:40pm

Opening odds comparison:

Western Bulldogs	5.50	5.50	6.00	5.50	5.50	5.50
Richmond Tigers	1.15	1.15	1.14	1.15	1.15	1.16

Preview:

The last Saturday match of round 13 is between the Western Bulldogs and the Richmond Tigers, kicking off at 7.40pm at Etihad Stadium. The Tigers are favourites for a win here, with momentum on their side following a great victory against Adelaide last round. Richmond will be doing everything they can in the second half of the season to ensure a finals spot, and should have enough to overcome the Bulldogs. While they are not expected to win here, with nothing to lose, the Bulldogs may be capable or pulling out some surprises.

Teams:

Western Bulldogs:
B: Brett Goodes, Jordan Roughead, Jason Johannisen
HB: Dale Morris, Michael Talia, Robert Murphy
C: Jack Macrae, Nick Lower, Adam Cooney
HF: Daniel Giansiracusa, Liam Jones, Matthew Boyd
F: Luke Dahlhaus, Lukas Markovic, Clay Smith
Foll: Will Minson, Ryan Griffen, Tom Liberatore
Int: Liam Picken, Jake Stringer, Nathan Hrovat, Lachie Hunter
Emerg: Dylan Addison, Mitch Wallis, Jarrad Grant

In: N.Hrovat, L.Hunter
Out: D.Addison, K.Stevens (shoulder)

Richmond Tigers:
B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Bachar Houli
HB: Chris Newman, Troy Chaplin, Nick Vlastuin
C: Shaun Grigg, Trent Cotchin, Daniel Jackson
HF: Aaron Edwards, Shane Edwards, Jake King
F: Ty Vickery, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin
Foll: Ivan Maric, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley
Int: Matt White, Brandon Ellis, Reece Conca, David Astbury
Emerg: Jake Batchelor, Matt Dea, Sam Lonergan

Tigers expect tight AFL tussle with ‘Dogs

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is expecting a much sterner contest from the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night than their round-three AFL demolition job.

The Tigers swept aside the Bulldogs then by 67 points but, ahead of their Etihad Stadium clash, Hardwick said the Bulldogs were playing much better football.

“You’ve only got to look at their last month,” he said.

“Although they had the bye in there, they’ve won two games; had a disappointing half against Collingwood but then, in the second half, beat them on the scoreboard.

“The thing that we certainly know is coming is that contested ball, they’re very good, their ability to win clearances is very good. So we need to make sure we combat them in those two areas.”

He pointed to young midfielder Tom Liberatore and skipper Matthew Boyd as two Bulldogs who excel in those departments.

Hardwick said the seventh-placed Tigers couldn’t afford to take the Bulldogs lightly just because they sat 14th on the ladder.

“The ladder positions are up for grabs every week and we’ve just got to worry about what we can control and that’s playing good, solid football for four quarters.

“The last few weeks have been a lot better but we certainly think we’ve got scope for improvement.”

Hardwick said he hadn’t spoken to his assistant, Port Adelaide’s 2004 premiership coach Mark Williams, about his front-runner status for the senior coaching job at Melbourne.

“You’ll have to ask Choco that question. I’m not his mother – I don’t really know,” Hardwick said.

“Whatever happens over at Melbourne happens … he’ll keep working incredibly hard at helping develop our kids.”