Cats attack has AFL challenges for Tigers

While Tom Hawkins is the AFL's most in-form forward, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says he is far from the only threat in Geelong's attack.

Damien Hardwick.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Tom Hawkins isn't the only dangerman in the Geelong attack. (AAP)

Richmond's defence will have to do a lot more than just blunt the Tomahawk in their AFL blockbuster against Geelong.

While Tom Hawkins' barnstorming form means he is the player to watch on Friday night at the MCG, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick warns there is much more to the Cats attack than their star key forward.

Hardwick said the Cats are a more attacking side than the one that pushed Richmond for three quarters in round 13.

Hawkins has kicked bags of seven in his past two games, putting him second on the Coleman Medal leaderboard, but teammate Daniel Menzel also kicked three goals last week in his third game back from injury.

Hawkins and Menzel will be crucial for Geelong on Friday night, with Richmond's key defensive trio of Alex Rance, David Astbury and Dylan Grimes in top form.

"He only needs five or six kicks to damage a game - that's what good players do," Hardwick said of Hawkins.

"Then Menzel is another guy who gets under a lot of sides' guards.

"We have some players there who we'll back in - obviously with Dave and Alex, who will play there around Tom, depending on where he lines up.

"Then we have Grimesy ... we're really happy with the mix of our back three."

In a quirk of the draw, this will be the fourth time that Richmond and Geelong play each other since round 21 last year.

The Cats had a big win at home, but Richmond easily beat them in a qualifying final and then pulled away in round 13 after an even three quarters.

"They did some things that troubled us - we'll go to work on a few of those things,"' Hardwick said of their most recent clash.

"They probably have changed a little bit, the way they've played, as well.

"They're probably a little bit more attacking now, than I think they have been."

Meanwhile, much-improved Richmond defender Jayden Short has become the latest player to sign a new contract with the defending AFL premiers.

Short was unlucky to miss out on last year's flag-winning team, having played 16 successive senior games before being dropped late in the season.

But the long-kicking 22-year-old is now an integral member of the Tigers' back six.

Short's previous deal ran out at the end of the current season and he would certainly have attracted interest from rival clubs had he chosen to test his value in the market.

Vice-captains Alex Rance and Jack Riewoldt and exciting first-year midfielder Jack Higgins have also also agreed to new deals.


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Source: AAP


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