Richmond will enter Sunday’s Round 18 clash with Hawthorn determined to take something significant away from the triple reigning premier.

That something significant, is the Hawks’ pinpoint possession game.

“I think in the last five or six weeks, they’ve been No. 1 in the AFL for uncontested marks,” Richmond assistant coach Greg Mellor said on this week’s edition of Roar Vision’s ‘Opposition Analysis’.

“They do this to try and control possession . . . they chip wide, sideways.  They very rarely go long down the line. 

“So, for us, every time it’s a long down-the-line kick, it’s going to be a win . . .”

Another key focus for the Tigers on Sunday will be attempting to nullify Hawthorn’s potent collection of small forwards, who consistently cause so much damage to opposition teams.

“They’re one of the best inside-50 teams in the comp.,” Mellor said.

“The biggest thing they’ve got is speed – (Cyril) Rioli, (Luke) Breust, (Paul) Puopolo . . . (Bradley) Hill comes down there as well.  And they manage to hold the ball in there. 

“They set up really well deep in the forward half . . . they turn the ball over, and they’re just so lethal with their feet. 

“So they can certainly hurt you.

“The big thing is to try and get the ball out of that defensive 50 as quickly as possible.  And then it’s about trying to control the ball . . .

“The longer we have the ball in our hands, that limits the amount of chance that they can do damage against us. 

“They’re a very unselfish forward line group.  They’ll share the ball, they’ll give it to the player in the best position . . . 

“Our defensive aspects need to be really spot on.”