Preview: Tigers v Cats

• VENUE & TIME:* MCG, 14:10pm AEST Saturday May 17

• HEAD TO HEAD:* Geelong 92, Richmond 85, Drawn 3

• LAST TIME:* Geelong 21.13 (169) def. Richmond 11.3 (69), Round 18 2007 at Skilled Stadium

• WALKING WOUNDED:* All Australian defender Matthew Egan has been ruled out for the remainder of the season at the Cats with a foot injury, but a return to the senior side is getting closer for influential ruckman Brad Ottens. Crumbing forward Matthew Stokes still has one week to serve on his suspension, but it is a relative clean bill of health currently down at Geelong. Likewise, Richmond doesn't have many injury concerns either. Andrew Raines (knee) is still one week away from resuming, but Terry Wallace has close to a full list to choose from.

• FORM:* While still yet to play their best football, the Cats are sitting pretty on top of the ladder, undefeated through seven rounds. Last start they were tested by an undermanned Brisbane, but eventually prevailed by 27 points. The Tigers have been playing some excellent footy of late, but unfortunately, have not been able to convert that into wins during the past three rounds. A draw against the Bulldogs in Round 5, before narrow losses to the Hawks and the Saints is all they have to show for their improved performances of late.

• WHO'S HOT:* Take your pick from anyone of the Cats star-studded midfield. West Australian Joel Corey has stepped up to another level this season and is slowly starting to regain a bit more recognition around the league. Corey is averaging 30 disposals a game in 2008 and found plenty of the ball in the Hall of Fame clash last Saturday night. Matthew Richardson might be getting all the praise for the Tigers improved performances of late, but young fullback Will Thursfield continues to get the tough jobs week in week out and perform well. The 22-year-old from Ormond has all the makings of a 200-game player and is surely one of the first players Terry Wallace selects on a Thursday night.

• WE THINK:* Geelong defeated Richmond by a combined 227 points in its two encounters in 2007, but expect Terry Wallace's charges to be a lot more competitive in this one. Matthew Richardson is in close to career best form for the Tigers and Mark Thompson may well get a migraine determining who to play on him. If Richo lines up on the wing, Thompson may opt to use Joel Corey on the Tigers' star, but who knows where Wallace will play the veteran. This Richmond side continues to improve, but this is a tough test against an experienced and well drilled Geelong side. With some rain expected in Melbourne on Saturday this clash could be a tight low-scoring battle, with the Cats to get the four points after a bit of a fright. *Geelong by 14 points.*