Tigers set to make two changes for Freo clash
By Nathan Schmook
12:26pm AEST Tuesday, April 23, 2013
RICHMOND'S prized draft selection Nick Vlastuin is a strong chance to make his debut against Fremantle on Friday night with at least two changes expected for the Tigers' trip to Patersons Stadium.
Vlastuin, the pick No.9 of the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, shapes as a likely replacement for small defender Steven Morris, who has accepted a one-game suspension for engaging in rough conduct against Collingwood's Jamie Elliot.
Coach Damien Hardwick said a second change to the team that lost to Collingwood by 34 points was likely, with key defender Troy Chaplin in doubt after suffering a second concussion in three weeks.
"He's in the mix, there's no doubt he's been in the mix for quite some time," Hardwick said of Vlastuin, who was an emergency against the Magpies.
"He's an impressive individual there's no doubt.
"He's got some areas of his game he still needs to work on, but I think he's a ready AFL player to a degree.
"We think he's a chance to play in the upcoming weeks.
"We've got quite a few players who have put their hand up to play, we've just got to work our way through that at match committee."
Hardwick said small forward Jake King would be available after receiving a knee to the back against Collingwood.
Midfielder Brad Helbig continued his strong form with 27 possession in the VFL, while Robin Nahas (two goals) and Aaron Edwards (seven) were impressive for Coburg.
Hardwick, who said small forward Jake King would be available, said the Tigers would consider bringing in another marking target in attack on the big Perth ground.
"We'll certainly look at Aaron (Edwards) … he's a lead-up forward, so the [WA] ground suits that type of player," he said.
"The forward line is going OK at the moment. Do we look at bringing in a fourth target? Big ground, Subiaco, maybe a chance."
Fremantle is expected to welcome back key defender Luke McPharlin (concussion) following its 42-point loss to Hawthorn, but captain Matthew Pavlich will be unavailable after having Achilles tendon surgery on Monday night.
Hardwick said Fremantle's forward line would be unpredictable without its champion goalkicker, with small forwards Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters looming as threats.
"We've got a number of other players we think can nullify Ballantyne, Walters, these types of players who are very impressive," he said.
"(Chris) Mayne is outstanding. Whether they bring in another tall we're not sure.
"The thing about sides that change up their forward structure, they become more unpredictable.
"We'll work our way through that."
Hardwick said Richmond, which is ranked last in the competition for tackles, needed to lift its defensive pressure against Fremantle, which is a frenetic tackling side (ranked No.2 in the competition).
He said the Tigers had trained poorly in the lead-up to last Saturday's clash against Collingwood and their preparation needed to improve ahead of a difficult road trip.
Richmond has lost its last four matches at Patersons Stadium and has a 38 per cent winning record interstate under Hardwick.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-23/tigers-cub-to-head-west
