Tigers stronger for Port

‘ Mighty task’ awaits reigning premier away from home

A VASTLY different Richmond side to that which lost to Port Adelaide in round 11 is setting itself for a “mighty” preliminary final challenge unlike any the Tigers have faced.

Richmond held a light training session on the Gold Coast on Monday morning after last Friday’s crushing semi- final win over St Kilda, the club having no fresh injury concerns.

While coach Damien Hardwick has flagged Mabior Chol as a possible inclusion to bolster the ruck stocks, a stable line- up would mean seven changes to the Tigers’ side which suffered a 21- point loss to the Power at Adelaide Oval in round 11.

Captain Trent Cotchin, David Astbury, Shane Edwards, Dion Prestia, Toby

Nankervis, Jack Graham and Bachar Houli all missed that defeat but are available this week.

The Tigers who played in round 11 but missed the semifinal were Jake Aarts, Josh Caddy, Derek EggmolesseSmith, Jack Ross, Sydney Stack, Ivan Soldo and Chol.

Former Hawthorn and Melbourne champion Jordan

Lewis — who played in seven preliminary finals — said Friday night’s crunch clash presented a unique challenge for Richmond.

While the Tigers have played in preliminary finals each of the past three years — winning two on their way to premierships — all have been at the MCG with bumper home crowds behind them.

On Friday night at Adelaide Oval, Richmond will have to contend with 27,000 Port Adelaide fans against it.

“It’s their hardest game for the year,” Fox Footy commentator Lewis said.

“Prelims are very hard to win and I was always at my most anxious going into a game like this because you know what’s around the corner, you know what’s at stake.

“What they’ve had in the past is home prelims. This year you go to an environment over in Adelaide where the Port players have stayed in their own beds, they’ve been comfortable in their own surroundings and they’re playing at their home ground in front of their home crowd. This is a mighty task.

“If Richmond gets through this game, they deserve to be in that grand final.”