Tigers lacking bite but Kane able to entertain
Canberra Times
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
David Jean
The Sydney Swans will assume favouritism in Saturday's NAB Challenge match against Richmond at Manuka after the Tigers confirmed they would rest the majority of their top squad for the clash.
The Tigers will take a cautious approach to the game after Geelong delivered a thrashing in Sunday's NAB Cup game.
Gun forward Nathan Brown, defender Joel Bowden and full-forward Matthew Richardson will remain in Melbourne - the latter because of a minor hamstring injury.
Recruit Kent Kingsley will also miss the game because of an ankle injury, while crumbing forward Andrew Krakouer is facing a two-match ban for rough conduct.
Tigers skipper Kane Johnson will make his first appearance of the year on Saturday, while promising on-baller Richard Tambling is set for his second game.
In contrast the Swans will field a host of premiership stars including captain Brett Kirk, Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes and full-back Leo Barry. Recruit Peter Everitt will also make his debut for Sydney.
Richmond assistant coach Brian Noble [sic] said the Tigers would field an inexperienced side as they attempted to manage the workload of senior players.
The club was approaching the game as a chance to see how its second-tier players performed.
"We've got three practice matches to go and we've got to be very careful now we've been knocked out of the NAB Cup that we manage our players," Noble said.
Top draft picks Jack Riewoldt and Shane Edwards will debut for Richmond. Royal said Riewoldt, a cousin of St Kilda star Nick, had been outstanding during the preseason and would play centre half-forward and full-forward.
He rated Edwards - a number 26 draft pick - as a potential senior player this year.
"He didn't play on the weekend because he had a bit of a sore ankle but he's an excitement machine," Royal said of Edwards.
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