Tough Tiger tipped to return against Hawks

RICHMOND defender David Astbury has backed on-baller Kane Lambert to return for their qualifying final against Hawthorn.

One of the Tigers’ best players this season, Lambert has been out of action since Round 21 after ankle surgery.

He was moving freely at the start of yesterday’s morning training, the main session before tomorrow night’s MCG clash.

Forward Dan Butler returned from ankle surgery through the VFL last weekend and has not played seniors since round 16.

“Kane is as diligent as ever, he’s given himself every opportunity and, from what I’m hearing, he’ll be every chance to play,” Astbury said.

“He’s an unbelievable warrior and I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

While Richmond is favoured to defend the flag, Denis Pagan has tipped West Coast.

The two-time North Melbourne premiership coach thinks the Tigers have had too long to think about the flag because they shored up their top-two finish several weeks ago.

“It’s an interesting concept that he’s got — naturally, people might look to outcome a little bit, but with our playing group I know we’re a week-to-week outfit,” Astbury said.

“If we look too far beyond that it will bite us.”

He said there was no way they were too far ahead of themselves at Punt Rd.

“We’ve won 18 games this year and we back our system in, we don’t look too much for outcomes,” he said.

“Football is full of provocative comments but you’re not going to get one from me.”

The Hawks under master coach Alastair Clarkson will try to find a way to break down Richmond’s game style and Astbury said they would be fierce opponents.

“They’re Hawthorn and they’re well-known for winning, particularly (in) this era,” he said.

“Any team that you face in a final, particularly a qualifying final, they’re going to be a good outfit.”

Richmond was not at its best in the past month but Astbury said that might have been good for the Tigers.

“The last few weeks weren’t so much about sitting (in) a position of comfort, it’s more that the opposition probably produced different sorts of challenges than what we’d faced,” he said.

“We got a good look at different systems and how they’re going to challenge us.”