http://gty.im/1026583830

Dustin Martin showing off his form in a training session this week. 

By EZRA HOLT

The competition's most in-form teams face off tonight in the biggest match of the week. 

Qualifying Final: Richmond vs Hawthorn

Thursday, September 6, 7.20pm at the MCG

Richmond have shown again that they are the best team in the competition. Their rebounding back line and ferocious tackling pressure has placed them at the top of the ladder. The Tigers have broken the record for most consecutive wins at the MCG and will look to continue this streak through the finals. However, the Tigers have not experienced this same success away from home. All of their four losses were interstate.

Hawthorn have had a less glamorous year compared to the Tigers. They found themselves outside the eight after round 15 due to a mid-season slump. However, in true Alastair Clarkson fashion, they hit their straps at the business end of the season winning the last six games to secure a top four spot.

Talking points

Tags

Tom Mitchell can easily rack up 30-plus disposals and has done so in 14 of Hawthorn’s 22 matches. With many opposition coaches opting not to tag Mitchell, will Damien Hardwick do the same? If he chooses to tag Mitchell out of the game, the job will likely be left to Jack Graham or Trent Cotchin. And what about Dustin Martin? Martin consistently finds space and uncontested ball. Will Alistair Clarkson send Dan Howe or Liam Shiels to lock him down?

Richmond’s rebounding defenders

Clarkson has referred to his plans to stop the Richmond’s backline from taking intercept marks and sending the ball into attack. Alex Rance, David Astbury, Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin took 417 intercept marks this season. We can expect the Hawthorn forwards to combat this by nailing their kicks inside 50 or forcing the ball to ground when the delivery is not to Hawthorn’s advantage.

Form

Richmond and Hawthorn are the two best form teams in the competition now. They are the only teams to have won their last five games and will be looking to carry this momentum throughout September.

Players to watch

Jack Riewoldt (Richmond): This year’s Coleman Medallist is in career-best form. He can kick a bag of goals and lead up the ground to take big marks.

Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn): Jarryd Roughead’s future at the club has been discussed in the past week. This comes at an inconvenient time with the finals starting. How will the Hawks captain respond to the chatter? Will it affect his performance and his ability to lead his side in September?

EZRA HOLT'S PREDICTIONRichmond have more class, composure and finals experience.Richmond by 10 points.