Richmond VFL coach Tim Clarke praised his side’s senior players for their pivotal role in the Tigers’ victory over Geelong.

The Tigers were strengthened by a strong group of 18 AFL-listed players, who won the contested ball and piled on the goals in a fantastic third quarter.

“It was a pretty close game of footy and then in the third quarter the boys came out and kicked 12 goals,” Clarke told Roar Vision. 

“We dominated the quarter inside and our forwards started marking the ball, so it was one of those quarters where as a coach, you just sit back and watch the boys go about their stuff.”

“We had eight guys come into our side that are AFL-listed players and all of those guys were solid contributors on the weekend.”

The Tigers welcomed back injured trio Nathan Foley, Cadeyn Williams and Matt Dea – who Clarke said really shored up the Richmond defence alongside an equally impressive Dylan Grimes.

Clarke was delighted with the efforts of Ben Griffiths, who kicked four goals, and lauded the versatility of Ricky Petterd, but yet again he singled out ball-winning midfielder Anthony Miles and admitted his strong, consistent form would draw attention at senior level.

“I don’t know whether Milesy will get [an opportunity at senior level] but he had 37 touches and 12 clearances.” 

“He’s one of our favourites at VFL level so it’d be a shame to lose him to senior footy but that’s why we’re here. I don’t know whether the coaches will make a call on that but we’ll find out in the next couple of weeks.”

The bye allows the Tigers to get some hard-earned rest but Clarke says the focus is already on the clash with VFL powerhouse Box Hill in a fortnight’s time. 

“The players get a couple of days off this week and then we’re right back into preparing for Box Hill.”

“Box Hill is the best team in the VFL by a fair bit and they’re going to have a really strong list as well. It’ll be a really good match up. We’re going to have a strong side as well so we’re looking forward to that.”