'A lot to play for' against SaintsBy Anna Pavlou
RFC website
8 Aug 2025Richmond coach Adem Yze admits that the side took a backward step last week, but is refusing to allow it to carry over against St Kilda on Saturday.
The Tigers welcome back three veterans in Tim Taranto, Nathan Broad and Tom Lynch for the clash at the MCG, which offers a needed boost.
"We've got to make amends for last week's performance. We're looking week-to-week, we're not looking at a block of games," Yze said on Friday.
"We weren't happy with the way we performed last week. We felt like we took a step backwards.
"We get a chance to make amends this weekend, and all we're looking at is the way we'll play against St Kilda and provide a contest that our Tiger Army are proud of."
And while priorities aren't on September for either side, it hasn't dampened the spirit in Yze's men to compete.
"Both teams aren't playing for finals, but there's a lot to play for," he said.
"They'll be talking about the exact same thing, finishing off the season in the right way and hopefully we can just do it better tomorrow."
Excitingly, the playing group is also feeling refreshed after a week back at home.
"Our players have had a good week, they've got some energy and spirit, and we're looking to bring that tomorrow," Yze said.
But Yze knows he'd be silly to think a game against the Saints, who have been in strong form in recent weeks, will be simple.
"The last two or three weeks, they've (St Kilda) been really competitive. You can see what they did in the last quarter against Melbourne," Yze said.
"We understand their strengths and understand where our opportunities lie.
"We're in a process right now that we want to play a certain way. We'll go in backing ourselves and backing our system."
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Richmond (5-15) and St Kilda (7-13) are both out of finals contention, but the Saints are riding high on the back of consecutive wins inspired by Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.
Like Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell before him, Yze said the St Kilda superstar had been giving him nightmares during the planning process.
"He had me up at two o'clock this morning thinking about it," Yze said.
"But we're in a process right now where we want to play a certain way and we'll go in backing ourselves and backing our system.
"We'll keep an eye on how much impact he's having."
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1383492/richmond-tigers-love-veteran-tom-lynch-playing-on-the-edge-star-st-kilda-saint-nasiah-wanganeen-milera-giving-adem-yze-nightmares
