With the GIANTS and Richmond clashing at Spotless Stadium on Saturday we take a look at the stats that could impact the contest between these two top-eight sides.

Over the past month Richmond has been all about moving the ball forward, in fact they’re the top team in the competition when it comes to forward movement. 90.2 per cent of their kicks go forward, meaning they rarely switch the ball from one side of the ground to the other, and don’t often kick backwards.

Expect plenty of stoppages on Saturday, with the GIANTS first in the competition for stoppages (ball ups and throw ins) per game over the past month averaging 71.5, while the Tigers rank fourth, averaging 66.5 stoppages per game.

Richmond especially like to bog the game down in their forward half, ranked third in the competition for forward half stoppages over the last month. Their midfielders and forwards have exploited this and as such, the Tigers are ranked fifth in the competition in points scored from forward half stoppages.  

Their early season good form has been down to their ability to win clearances from the stoppages. The Tigers are ranked eight for clearance differential over the past month, winning an average of 1.5 more clearances per game. 

Phil Davis will have his work cut out against Tigers key forward Jack Reiwoldt, who has had a brilliant month in front of goals. Reiwoldt is first in the competition for total goals kicked over the last month with 15 while the GIANTS’ Jeremy Cameron is second, having kicked 14 goals in the last month of football.

The GIANTS will also need to watch Dustin Martin very closely. The elite midfielder is ranked inside the top 10 of the AFL for inside 50s (10th), clearances (fifth), contested possessions (eight) and hard ball gets (fifth).

There’s nowhere you’d rather be on Saturday afternoon than in the stands cheering on the GIANTS as they take on Richmond at 4.35pm, click here to get your tickets.