Richmond coach Adem Yze is counting on his side’s next man up mentality as the injury ravaged Tigers hunt their first win following a fade out against Freemantle.
After kicking off their season with a narrow loss to Carlton, injuries and defeats have mounted up for the Tigers, who were dominated by the Dockers in the second half of their match last week.
During the fixture, Richmond lost Jasper Alger to a knee injury, he joins other young forwards Harry Armstrong and Rhyan Mansell on the sidelines.
Yze told media on Wednesday he will be calling on some “fresh faces” as the Tigers look to snag a win against Port Adelaide.
“Our system won’t change, it’s going to be lose a soldier, replace a soldier mentality,” Yze said.
“You feel sorry for the young players, you want them to not only get a block of games individually but we need them to play together.
“There’s one thing playing on the MCG and belonging on an AFL field but the synergy of playing together.
“You feel sorry for the young lads that they can’t get their careers going.”
Yze confirmed draft pick Zane Peucker is a chance of breaking into the squad, following some good form in the VFL.
“He is knocking on the door,” he said.
“That’s the silver lining that might come out the injury crisis we are going through right now – some of our younger players in the VFL will get an opportunity.”
Yze said he was not taking any risks in rushing defender Nathan Broad, who is out with a calf injury, back into the side.
“When you get one of your leaders back in, he’s obviously really important with such a young squad,” Yze said.
“When you are missing Nank (ervis), Lynch and some of our older boys so if we can get him back in its going to help for sure.”
Yze expects a four quarter performance from his side at home against Adelaide on Saturday.
“We are hoping we can provide a hostile environment for Port,” he said.
Originally published as Injury-ravaged Richmond to rely on ‘soldier’ mentality for first win
