Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has revealed that the Tigers’ tough-as-teak small defender, Steven Morris, played out the entire season with a shoulder that needs reconstructive surgery.

Morris fought through the pain barrier to play 21 games in the 2014 season and still manage to be a solid contributor for the Tiger team.

“He’s incredibly brave,” Hardwick said in his press conference after Sunday’s elimination final loss to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

“Look, by his own admission, he didn’t have his greatest game today.

“He needed a shoulder reconstruction at NAB 3 (third match of the league’s pre-season competition).

“We’ve had his shoulder surgery booked in for every week we’ve been going.

“He’s a terrific competitor, Steve.”

Morris, 25, has played a total of 64 games in three seasons with Richmond, after being recruited from SANFL club West Adelaide.