Tigers see danger in Hawkins

Richmond expects to welcome back three premiership players for next week’s clash on the Gold Coast, but for now is focusing its attention on stopping Geelong star Tom Hawkins tonight.

The Tigers meet the Cats in a blockbuster at the MCG, with Hawkins in red-hot form after totalling 18 goals from his past three games.

“He’s in great form, isn’t he,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said. “He’s that beacon down forward.”

It’s a clash of the titans, with All-Australian fullback Alex Rance to take on Hawkins.

“I think he kicked three maybe the last time we played them (in round 13),” Hardwick said.

“He’s such a great player. He only needs five or six kicks to damage a game. That’s what good players do.

“We need to pay attention to Tom but also they’ve got some really capable players in that forward part of the ground that can kick goals, so it won’t be focused purely on Tom.”

Hardwick is also mindful of the Cats’ Daniel Menzel – another prolific goalkicker.

But the Tigers side have won a record 18 straight games at the MCG, with two of those victories coming against Geelong.

Dion Prestia (ribs) did not train yesterday but Hardwick said the club expected him to be fit to tackle the Suns next Saturday.

Jack Graham (shoulder) is also in the mix for that match and along with Bachar Houli (groin) will return through the VFL this weekend.

Hardwick said last week’s debutant, Liam Baker, would keep his spot as would Jacob Townsend. Sam Lloyd, an emergency last week, shaped as a likely replacement for Prestia.