A settled line-up, along with the prospect of some key players returning, has Richmond confident about its chances of finishing the 2013 season strongly.
The Tigers were almost at full strength against the Gold Coast Suns last Saturday, and emerged from the game unscathed on the injury front.
With injured pair Bachar Houli and Dylan Grimes set to return in the coming weeks, the pressure for spots in the senior side continues to grow.
“We’re pretty settled at the moment, which is good. Guys are playing good footy underneath as well, so if we need them to step up, they can,” star Richmond midfielder Brett Deledio told Triple M.
“’Grimesy’ is definitely in our best 22. It’s been really disappointing for him to miss with so many injuries. And Bachar Houli will, hopefully, be back this week.”
Deledio was one of the Tigers’ best performers in the nine-point victory over the Gold Coast, playing a role in curtailing Suns superstar skipper Gary Ablett, while collecting 24 disposals himself.
Although the Suns dominated the early exchanges in the match, kicking with the aid of a strong wind, there was no panic in the Richmond camp, and the team methodically worked its way back into the contest.
“With that breeze, obviously the scoring is pretty heavy at one end,” Deledio said.
“I wasn’t too concerned in the first, because they hadn’t kicked away on us, and we got one ourselves.
"We just didn’t capitalise in the second. We kicked 3.7, which was a bit disappointing.”