Tigers banking on a contested-ball rally

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has predicted a contested-ball revival against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval tomorrow night, buoyed by Dustin Martin’s availability and strong remedial work on the training track.

The Tigers’ pressure brand has taken a battering in the past fortnight, losing the contested possession count by a collective 55 against North Melbourne and Geelong.

Hardwick said he knew the reasons behind the drop-off — and they weren’t only manpower issues — and he believed a solution would be found in the coming weeks, starting against the Crows.

“To be beaten in the contested manner again ... was disappointing and to be fair, we are working on some things,” Hardwick said.

“We understand what the problem is, we’re just continuAFL ROUND 13