Richmond preparing for a tight Anzac eve contest against Melbourne

DEFENCE will continue to be the basis of stingy Richmond, and that’s fine by coach Damien Hardwick, with Round 5 on track to be the lowest scoring round in more than 20 years.

Trent Cotchin leads the celebrations after last week’s big win over Brisbane. Picture: Getty Images

DEFENCE will continue to be the “one wood” of stingy Richmond in what coach Damien Hardwick is predicting to be a fierce Anzac Eve affair at the MCG on Tuesday night.

With two games remaining in Round 5, Richmond is among the teams to have given away the least amount of points this season.

INCONSISTENT: DEES HAVE TO EARN TRUST, SAYS GOODWIN

ANZAC DAY: THE FIRST VFL PLAYER TO DIE AT WAR

JEFF KENNETT: AFL URGED TO LEAVE GRAND FINAL ALONE

“It’s always our focus,” Hardwick said.

“Offensive method really is secondary to us.

“It’s defence that we crave, first and foremost. Whatever the scoreboard outcome is, it will be dictated by our defence and our offence.”

The premiership coach — whose team kept Brisbane to just two goals last weekend — said defence the first thing he looks at in game review, and is an area he will continue to alter when required.

Toby Nankervis lays a tackle on Brisbane’s Stefan Martin. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s our one wood, and it’s how we play and how we try to dictate to the opposition,” he said.

“We’ll always tinker with it. Melbourne present us with another set of challenges and circumstances this week that a lot of sides haven’t. We’ll be ready for that.”

Teams in Round 5 have so far averaged just 76.1 points per game, which according to Champion Data is the lowest scoring round since Round 16, 1996.

The first five rounds has seen teams average 85.9 points per game. If that trend continues on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, it would be the lowest scoring first five rounds since 1968.

Hardwick said his premiership outfit is tracking similarly to this time last year and that the game’s current trend is one he welcomed.

“The game has probably been a little bit more open — you probably started to see on the weekend how the games have tightened up and the scores have come down,” he said.

“The players are starting to get a little bit tired as the season progresses so the game changes a little bit.

“It becomes a little bit more contested, a little bit more high pressure, which suits us.”

Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones and Richmond captain Trent Cotchin with Sergeant Rhi Busch ahead of the Anzac eve game. Picture: Michael Klein

And he is preparing for a tight contest.

“The way Melbourne play, they are a high-contest, high-pressure side, as are we,” he said.

“It will be a fierce contest regardless of (Melbourne’s loss to Hawthorn) last week.

“The numbers indicate that it’s going to be that type of contest, and we embrace that. We love it. It’s the way we play as well.”

Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin booted a career-best six goals against the Lions, playing the majority of the game out of the goalsquare.

Where he will play against the Dees remains to be seen, but Hardwick conceded that the plan for the superstar is generally left to the man himself — and he backs his man.

“It changes week to week. I’d love to say I’ve got a say over it, but Dusty sort of dictates where he goes and I’m happy to back him either way,” he said.

Dustin Martin dictates where he plays, according to Damien. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s got an understanding of what his opponent is doing to him, and where he can best get an advantage from that and that’s why we love the great players.

“They dictate where they want to go and how they want to play, and we’ll continue to back in those players to do that.”

Premiership pair Nick Vlastuin and Josh Caddy were yesterday ruled out of tonight’s Anzac eve clash with Melbourne, with the Tigers forced into three changes with Jack Graham suspended.

Hardwick refused to elaborate on the pair’s condition, only to say that they were “injured”.

LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW