Richmond celebrity Dustin Martin might need to cope with Hawthorn tagger Finn Maginness when the Tigers proceed their unlikely push for AFL finals.
The Tigers might be sitting contained in the top-eight on the finish of spherical 19 ought to they defeat the Hawks on the MCG on Saturday and different outcomes fall their manner.
But Martin might have the in-form stopper come his manner after Maginness’ spectacular jobs on GWS star Josh Kelly and North Melbourne utility Tarryn Thomas in current weeks.
“The great thing about Finn is you know he’ll do whatever the team needs and he’s such a committed teammate,” Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell mentioned.
“Last week would’ve been an enormously difficult game, he started on Thomas and went to (Harry) Sheezel and then played an attacking role on the wing so mentally that’s quite a challenging task and he was able to do all three really well.
“As you get extra assured about your defensive position your offence turns into a bit extra pure.”
Hawthorn are coming off their fifth win of the season after smashing lowly North Melbourne last Sunday.
But the Tigers under interim coach Andrew McQualter will present a far sterner test for Mitchell’s young group.
Richmond have recalled Rhyan Mansell following an impressive match in the VFL after returning from suspension.
Mid-season draftee Matthew Coulthard has been named for his AFL debut and will make his appearance as the Tigers’ sub.
Out-of-form Maurice Rioli Jr has been dropped despite McQualter putting a positive spin on the small forward’s refusal to take a phone call from coaching staff.
Rioli sat slumped on the bench after being substituted off during the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s win over West Coast when Tigers staff members twice attempted to hand him the phone that has a direct line to the coaching box.
Hawthorn welcome again Seamus Mitchell and Denver Grainger-Barras, whereas Fergus Greene (injured) and Lloyd Meek (omitted) make manner.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
