The impact of new opportunity helped Richmond cover the loss of some top-line senior players last weekend, according to midfielder Shaun Grigg.

The Tigers lost captain Trent Cotchin, key forward Ty Vickery and defenders Dylan Grimes and Ricky Petterd in the week leading into the Round 7 match against Port Adelaide.

However, they were ably replaced bythe likes of Orren Stephenson and Nathan Foley, who each played their first senior game for the season.

“It just brought an opportunity for other blokes to come in and stand up,” Grigg said.

“You look at big Orren Stephenson in his first game.  He dominated the ruck and played really well all day.

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“To have Nathan Foley back, as well,really created a good environment for us, and we just played to our game structure, and executed it pretty well.

“To get the four points over there, and to play some good footy, was really rewarding.”

Stephenson slotted into the first ruck position admirably, collecting 11 disposals and winning a game-high 28 hitouts.

Foley, on the comeback trail from a ruptured Achilles tendon injury, started as the sub, but was activated late in the second quarter and finished the match with 13 possessions.

Grigg said long-term injuries to Chris Knights and Shane Tuck would provide more opportunities in the coming weeks.

“We lose a troop, and we’ll bring in another one.  There are a lot of guys playing good footy in the VFL at the moment, so it creates another opportunity for someone,” Grigg said.