Tigers want to put Houli ban behind them

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says he's happy to move past the Bachar Houli ban after the Tigers defender was rubbed out for four weeks on appeal.

Richmond Tigers player Bachar Houli

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says they have moved on from Bachar Houli's AFL suspension. (AAP)

Richmond AFL coach Damien Hardwick says the Tigers have moved on from the Bachar Houli suspension drama to focus on their AFL clash with Port Adelaide.

The AFL appeals board on Thursday night doubled the ban on the defender to four weeks for his heavy hit on Carlton's Jed Lamb but Hardwick said it hadn't affected their preparation for Saturday night's match in Adelaide.

"We knew that he was going to be suspended so we've moved on and are glad it's been resolved," Hardwick said.

"We're glad Jed's OK and is making a good recovery by all accounts and Bachar's accepted responsibility so as a club we move on pretty quickly."

Hardwick wouldn't comment on the penalty but did say he would have preferred a more streamlined process.

"The reality is that it is what it is and I can't control it," Hardwick said.

"We're happy with the way it eventuated and we just want to move on and play some footy."

The sixth-placed Tigers held off Carlton last round, which was their third win out of their past four games.

For Port, Robbie Gray booted five goals to set up a big victory for his fourth-placed side over Collingwood.

Hardwick said winning the centre bounce on Saturday would be key.

"We've got to make sure we take away the strength of their offence but I think the centre bounce is where it's going to be won or lost," he said.

"When you get that ball inside the Adelaide Oval it's a bit easier to lock away."

Small forward Tyson Stengle, who is a nephew of Sydney great Michael O'Loughlin and also related to Adelaide star Eddie Betts, is set to make his AFL debut and Hardwick said he was excited to see what he offered.

"He's a goal sneak, he knows where the goals are and he's really clever with his ball use and defensively he's really improved his work-rate so we're really pleased to give him this opportunity."


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Source: AAP



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