Tigers to bare claws
Chris Newman says Richmond will attack this season's NAB Cup with a more experienced line-up than in recent years
RICHMOND will attack the NAB Cup with a more experienced line-up this season, a different approach to that the club has taken in recent years.
In the last two years the Tigers have exited the NAB Cup after disappointing opening round losses, and have used the competition as a chance to give their younger players opportunities.
That will still be the case this year, but Richmond will also have a raft of senior players available in Friday night's double-header against North Melbourne and Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium.
"I think this year is a little bit of a different approach (from us)," Richmond captain Chris Newman told 3AW on Tuesday.
"It's going to be whoever's fit will play, so hopefully we can play as many players as possible in those two games.
"We're really looking forward to having a competitive hit-out against the Hawks and Kangaroos."
The Tigers' squad is likely to include 2010 Coleman medallist Jack Riewoldt, who has returned to training after off-season surgery on both hips, his finger and left ankle.
"He had the majority of the pre-season on the sidelines focusing on his rehab pre-Christmas, and then post-Christmas he's been in all the drills and doing a lot of contact work," Newman said.
"Hopefully Jack's ready to go."
Follow Callum Twomey on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.