Richmond’s tall forwards will compete for Round 1 selection in Saturday's final pre-season challenge match against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, with coach Damien Hardwick yet to settle on his best structure in attack and the ruck.
The Tigers will call on tall forward Ben Griffiths for his first pre-season game, showcasing a three-pronged attack with Ty Vickery and Jack Riewoldt.
Griffiths is leaner after a standout summer working on his running ability and repeat speed. He has missed short periods late in the pre-season with sore spots, but Hardwick confirmed he was ready to play.
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“He was probably touch and go, but we gave him another week of training and got him up and going,” Hardwick said.
“He's had an incredible pre-season. He looks like an incredible athlete and we're looking forward to him taking that into our game this week.
“Ty has been okay without being to the level that I know he can play, but it's hard for key forwards . . . in the NAB Challenge, because of the ball use, the wind, all these factors.
“This week we're at an indoor facility (Etihad Stadium), it's a quality field, and we're looking forward to seeing how those guys go.”
The Tigers could also use their final pre-season hit-out to test Griffiths as a support ruckman, after Vickery played that role in the opening two matches.
Ruckman Shaun Hampson is unlikely to play after shouldering the load in the opening pre-season clash with the Western Bulldogs.
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“It's an interesting one . . . Shaun Hampson was outstanding against the Bulldogs and without doubt the dominant ruckman,” Hardwick said.
“So we're giving some guys an opportunity.
“We're looking for Shaun to try a bit forward and possibly pinch-hit in the ruck, so that's a position where we're looking to develop that second type of ruckman.
“We're still a little undecided in that area at this stage.”