Richmond ruck Toby Nankervis firms for finals recall against Brisbane

Much has been made of Richmond’s tactics towards Charlie Cameron. But if the Lion has a problem, Damien Hardwick says he should talk to some Tiger forwards about the treatment they cop.

Toby Nankervis is well and truly in the selection frame to travel to Brisbane. Picture: Michael Klein.

Richmond is plotting a two-pronged ruck assault on the Lions as Toby Nankervis firms for a finals recall.

The tall — who has battled an adductor issue this season and played just one AFL game since Round 8 — proved the hero in the Tigers’ come from behind VFL win on Saturday, booting the winning goal and notching 33 hit-outs.

Young ruck Ivan Soldo has starred in recent weeks meaning a dilemma for coach Damien Hardwick, who said the team was edging toward playing both talls in Saturday night’s qualifying final against Brisbane.

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Nankervis’ recovery had been a hurdle to his senior selection in recent weeks but Hardwick said he had “probably” done enough to play this weekend.

“He’s certainly put his hand up for selection,” Hardwick said.

“He’s pulled up reasonably well today, so that’s exciting for us. He’ll train a little bit (Tuesday) and then have a big session on Thursday and then we’ll probably be able to make a more calculated call.

“We’re keen to welcome him back and provided he gets through training he’ll be available to play, which is exciting for us.”

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Soldo and Nankervis have paired in the ruck on just six previous occasions, the most recent in Round 21, 2017 — 752 days ago.

“We’re probably going to go down the two-ruck path, so (Nankervis will) play as first or second ruck and only play that amount of time (the 68 per cent of the game he played in the VFL),” Hardwick said.

“That’ll give him every opportunity to build on from there.

Dion Prestia turns a training pole into a javelin in the Tigers’ lighthearted session on Monday. Picture: AAP Image

“I think Ivan’s been terrific. He had a slow first quarter last week, but the back end of his last three quarters was outstanding. He’s just improved every week.

“From where he’s come from, about four or five years ago, basically walking off the street to try out (for Category B rookie status), he’s been incredible.

“He’s got better and better every game, he’s still learning, but we’re happy with what he’s been putting out on the park.

“We’re in a pretty good position with our ruck depth at present.”

He also said that Noah Balta would be considered.

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Hardwick said he would back his team’s “system-based” approach to quell Lions ballwinner Lachie Neale, and declared defender Dylan Grimes would not change his tactics on Brisbane forward Charlie Cameron despite the All-Australian’s frustrations in Round 23.

“Charlie should walk up to Jack (Riewoldt) and Tom (Lynch) and ask them how they deal with it on a weekly basis,” he smiled.

“It’s the art of being a forward, unfortunately. We’ve got an All-Australian defender that’s a jet. He’ll play the same way and he’ll play it well.

Charlie Cameron had a tough day against the Tigers. Picture: AAP Images

“He’s done it his whole career. We look at our two boys at the other end and they just get on with it.”

Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin has played one match in the five weeks leading into the qualifying final after battling hamstring issues but he said he welcomed feeling fresher than usual heading into September football.

“Going into Round 23, aside from carrying a little bit of baggage just from being injured throughout the year, I was really pleased with how the body was feeling from a bash and crash point of view,” he said.

“Typically, I fall over the line towards the back end of the year and hang out for that bye just before finals. It’s been a little bit differently for me personally, but I’m just really excited to sink my teeth into this weekend’s game.”