Tigers 'will try to out-run Power' - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Tigers 'will try to out-run Power'

28/05/2010 03:51:47 PM Comments (0)

Richmond will try to exploit any after effects of Port Adelaide's gruelling Darwin trip when the two sides clash in Saturday's AFL match at AAMI Stadium.

The Power are coming off a one-point loss to Melbourne last Saturday night in the Top End humidity.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said on Friday that they will try to out-run the Power as they aim for their first win of the season.

"We talked about that through the week, it is hard playing up in Darwin, there's no doubt the humidity takes it out of you," Hardwick said.

"From our point of view, we'll be looking for every advantage we can, we're going to play a running side, we've got four runners on the bench.

"We've dropped Ty Vickery just to go with one ruck and pinch-hit with (Graham) Polak ... we'll be trying to run as much as we can."

Richmond made four changes, recalling Polak, Richard Tambling and Andy Collins as well as naming Ben Griffiths for his senior debut.

Nathan Foley has a leg injury, while Alex Rance and Will Thursfield will join Vickery as the exclusions.

The Power added Matthew Broadbent, Josh Carr and Daniel Stewart for Jason Davenport (AFL suspension), Daniel Motlop (club suspension) and Jay Schulz.

Meanwhile, Hardwick is impressed with how Daniel Connors has handled a club-imposed AFL suspension, saying it could be the making of him.

The Tigers banned Connors for eight weeks after a late-night alcohol-fuelled incident following the round-three away loss to Sydney.

Ben Cousins, Dean Polo and Luke McGuane also received one-game bans.

Connors has shown good form while playing in the VFL and, as part of his suspension, has also done voluntary work at a homeless shelter.

"He's going really well, from our point of view, I know it's cost us eight weeks, but we think it will be the best for Dan Connors," Hardwick said on Friday.

"We think he has an enormous future at our footy club.

"It's a kick up the backside for him, a real eye-opener.

"Both on and off the field, we think he's made enormous inroads."

On the night the players ran into trouble, Connors had been drinking and Cousins had to physically subdue him.

"Kids these days, with alcohol and drugs, there's a great range out there, but we hope it (the suspension) will be the best thing for him," Hardwick said of Connors.

Meanwhile, Hardwick is also confident that boom youngster Dustin Martin will reject any offers from the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) expansion project and stay at Punt Rd.

Martin was Richmond's first pick in the national draft last year and he has made a strong AFL debut.

There was speculation earlier this week that GWS were prepared to offer Martin a multi-million dollar, three-year deal.

"Dustin's not going anywhere, we don't think," Hardwick said.

"He's very happy here and we're in negotiations at the moment.

"We're very confident that he'll stay and be a very good player for our footy club."

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news