Richmond’s recent successful record against the powerful Sydney side is largely due to the capacity to compete on equal terms with the Swans in the all-important midfield area, according to Tigers assistant coach Ross Smith.

The Tigers have won five of their past seven encounters with Sydney, including the last three in-a-row.

Sam Lloyd’s after-the-siren, match-winning, set shot, when the two teams met at the MCG earlier this season, undoubtedly ranks as the highlight of an overall disappointing year from a Yellow and Black perspective.

But, as well as Richmond has fared lately against the Swans, due to its midfield competitiveness, the Tigers are fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge they’ll face at the SCG on Saturday in their final match of season 2016.

Sydney boasts a truly formidable midfield combination, led by Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker.

Kennedy is averaging 31 disposals per game this season and is ranked second in the competition for clearances, second for contested possessions, sixth for inside-50s and seventh for total disposals.

Hannebery is averaging 31.3 disposals per game and is ranked second for total disposals and third for inside-50s.

Parker is averaging 28.2 disposals per game and is ranked sixth for contested possessions.

“They’re contested-ball ‘nuts’.  They love it, they thrive on it,” Smith said of the dominant Swans midfielders, on this week’s edition of Roar Vision’s ‘Opposition Analysis’.

“I think that’s where we’ve been able to have success against them in the past.  We’ve been able to match them . . .

“It’s no mean feat to match it with the likes of these players.  But we’ll be demanding of our midfield to do that on the weekend, and give us a chance.”

The duel between the players widely regarded as the competition’s best key defender and best key forward – Richmond’s Alex Rance and Sydney’s Lance Franklin – shapes as a major highlight of the match.

They have had some absorbing battles in the past, and it’s expected to be the same this time.

“It’s the reason why a lot of people go to the footy, to see these one-on-one contests,” Smith said.

“There’s not a lot of those genuine one-on-one contests these days.  But these two have fought it out over a couple of years now, and it’s been thrilling to watch.”