Damien Hardwick expects the Tigers’ cavalry to return subsequent week however has warned his back-to-back AFL premiers that they should up their recreation after they fell to 5-5 and on the cusp of dropping out of the highest eight.
The Tigers led for a bulk of the primary half earlier than Brisbane kicked the final 4 objectives of the third time period, ultimately profitable 15.12 (102) to 11.8 (74) on the Gabba on Friday.
Captain Trent Cotchin (hamstring), younger gun Shai Bolton (wrist), veteran Shane Edwards (ankle), midfielder Dion Prestia (calf) and ahead Kane Lambert (calf) have been all lacking.
Hardwick is assured Cotchin and Prestia will play in opposition to Adelaide subsequent Sunday, with Bolton “highly probable” and Edwards an opportunity if he trains strongly on Saturday.
(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
But as they hunt a 3rd straight premiership, the coach warned his troops to not assume they’d be there on the pointy finish once more.
“We can’t just rely on it to happen; it’s happened a couple of times before but the fact of the matter is that each year’s different,” he mentioned.
“We’ve received to play higher, get our troops on the park and begin a run that hopefully begins subsequent week.
“It’s going to take some time to play our best footy so we’ve got to get started, absolutely.”
In distinction Brisbane coach Chris Fagan was doing his greatest to maintain a lid on the sixth consecutive win, which was achieved with out key trio Lachie Neale, Jarrod Berry and Cameron Rayner in addition to defenders Ryan Lester and Darcy Gardiner.
Fagan did, nonetheless, label it “for a six-week patch, maybe the best we have played in terms of attack v defence, and our contested ball numbers”.
Brisbane slowly suffocated Richmond’s makeshift midfield whereas a 20-6 free kick rely in opposition to his facet at halftime – it ended 28-16 – left Hardwick chuckling post-game.
“I loved it,” he mentioned sarcastically.
“It was difficult; the sport’s very onerous to umpire.
“It was tough, I’m not going to lie… the other clubs will get a fair indication of what they’re paying now for the remainder of the weekend.”
© AAP
