Richmond are adamant they won’t try to tag Brownlow Medal favourite Lachie Neale out of their AFL qualifying final against Brisbane.
Neale, this year’s most prolific ball-winner, has averaged 38 disposals in his past three meetings with the Tigers.
He was kept quiet by Sydney’s Ryan Clarke in Round 17 and Carlton’s Ed Curnow paid close attention to the former Fremantle star at stoppages in Round 18.
But Richmond coach Damien Hardwick will stick to his guns at the Gabba on Friday night.
“He’s had some very good games against us but you guys know how we play, we don’t tag,” Hardwick said.
“We’ll monitor and come up with a contingency if he does get out of hand.
“The scoreboard will dictate that in a way and he’s a really important player to how they play.
“He probably has 45 (disposals) if we don’t tag him and he probably still has 30 if we do tag him.
“So we’ll just back our players in and allow them to play to their strengths.”
Richmond’s midfield will get a boost for the battle with Neale when Dion Prestia (ankle) and Shai Bolton (calf) return from injury.
It presents a selection headache for Hardwick and Marlion Pickett could have made way after a quiet few weeks.
But the coach guaranteed last year’s fairytale story, who made his AFL debut in the Tigers’ grand final win, will retain his spot for a second finals appearance.
“I know everyone looks at kicks, marks and handballs but we’re not really based on that,” Hardwick said.
“We’re a low-possession side but we’re a high-structure side.
“The things that we measure and value are not so much on the stats sheet.”
Richmond suffered a blow on Monday when leading goalkicker Tom Lynch was ruled out of the qualifying final with a hamstring injury.
Mark
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure I agree with Dimma's assertion that "We don't tag". Didn't he give Graham the "run with" or tag role on Sloane in the 2017 GF. I think that worked out ok didnt it? I'd give Graham the job again.
Mark
Roar Rookie
Football IQ and Academic IQ are 2 different things. I think the best example of this is David Beckham. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but a football genius.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Now you're just being childish. If you can't see Dusty's 'footy smarts' you're choosing to be ignorant. The boy is a genius on the footy field and takes it on like very few are prepared to. Watch without your undoubted bias.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Dusty had smarts?
Nico
Roar Rookie
I hope Brisbane win, because Richmond are sooooo very confident this game’s in the bag.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Would love to see this eventuate. Robinson hasn't the talent or smarts to go with Dusty and would be made look the second rate player that he is.
Stix
Guest
Richmond say why bother when we a have a loose man in defense/waiting behind the stoppage. Mitch Robinson VS Dusty Martin needs to be the key matchup if Brisbane have any footy IQ. Its finals time enough of the garbage having no one accountable or some weaker dud player who just lets Dusty run forward as he pleases and makes the opponent look stupid. Martin is the turnover king (no1 the last 5 years by a mile) in the midfield (limited chaser & tackler too) but looks like the most dangerous player on the ground running in the forward line. Robinsons penetrating kick can hurt Martin the other way and is not intimidated and can make him feel it in the tackle. Brisbane have enough other midfielders to get the ball that Robinson can be sacrificed to follow Martin around all game wherever he goes. Fagan the spotlight is well and truly on! Brisbane will kick straight enough to win this time.