Richmond take positives from Dogs loss

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says there was a lot to like about the Tigers' narrow loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Richmond have taken plenty of self-belief from their narrow loss to the Western Bulldogs, according to coach Damien Hardwick.

The Tigers were pipped by the reigning AFL champions by five points in an epic tussle last Saturday night.

It was just Richmond's second defeat of the season and was a strong rebound following a heavy loss to ladder leaders Adelaide, which Hardwick described an "aberration" in their early-season form.

"The game on the weekend could have gone either way and the Bulldogs' class showed at the end," Hardwick said.

"They had a couple of bigger moments in the last stanza than we did but we look at our review and we're incredibly pleased.

"Our boys took a lot of belief that we've taken it up to the reigning premiers."

The Tigers take on Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday afternoon and are wary of what the Dockers will bring after their big win over Essendon last round.

Star midfielder Dion Prestia is likely to miss again, with the club taking a cautious approach to his hamstring injury.

"He's touch and go this week but we probably think we'll be very cautious with Dion," Hardwick said.

"It's not a significant injury, it's very minor, but he's an important long-term player for us so we'll make sure he gets it right.

"The chance of him playing this week is slim."

Shane Edwards is available to play after five weeks out with a hip injury but Hardwick said his lack of match fitness may count against him.

First-choice ruckman Toby Nankervis will return after serving a one-match suspension.

The Tigers will also consider keeping his replacement Ivan Soldo in the side to take on dominant Dockers ruck Aaron Sandilands or go forward and help out spearhead Jack Riewoldt.

"We were pretty pleased with Ivan and what he brought to the table with his pressure around the contest," Hardwick said.

"He certainly looks a player of the future.

"Whether we go in with the two rucks ... we'll have a look at that come selection, but we were really pleased with what we got out of Ivan on the weekend."


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Source: AAP


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