Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has anointed West Coast as premiership favourites after Sundays 47-point win over the defending champions.
After losing to the Eagles at Optus Stadium on Sunday, the Tigers coach said a dangerous forward line, a steady defence and a quick midfield, has turned them in to a balanced side.
Where Eagles dare: Jack Darling dominated across the ground for West Coast in their win over Richmond.
Photo: AAP
But the reigning premiership coach doesnt think his side will be down for too long.
West Coast moved to the top of the AFL ladder with the win, having lost only one game, to Sydney in round one.
“According to us, they probably are now,” Hardwick said when asked if the Eagles should be premiership favourites.
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“They have a really good balance in what they do – inside and outside of the contest.
“They have added some speed that complements them, and they are hard to stop when they move the ball as crisp as they did today.
Eagles lair: West Coast fans fly the flags at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Photo: AAP
“They took 95 uncontested marks today and it's unlike us to give up that many. When they control the ball like that they are always hard to stop.”
The Eagles started the round 16 percentage points lower than the Tigers, but finished it 3.6 higher.
But despite the heavy loss, bookmakers still have Richmond placed as flag favourites.
And Hardwick said that Sundays result was a reminder to his side what can happen when they are 10 per cent down on their expected level of performance.
Tactical battle: Richmond coach says team will consider a tandom ruck setup using Ivan Soldo and Toby Nankervis.
Photo: AAP
West Coasts forwards benefited from those uncontested marks and 214 uncontested possessions.
Richmond had 55 fewer possessions that the Eagles, with only Dustin Martin (26) getting to 20.
But the reigning premiership coach said his side would learn from the trip West and bounce back quickly.
They face St Kilda back at their MCG home next Saturday.
“You go through ups and downs and we probably weren't at the level we'd like to be,” he said after Sundays loss.
“We've had some really tough games over the past month. North are always tough; we've had Melbourne and Collingwood in there. Tough games and we played an outstanding side today.
“We lost one today we'd like to win.
“Our pressure wasn't to the normal level. You go up against (Josh) Kennedy, (Mark) LeCras and (Jack) Darling… we've got some of the best defenders in the land, but if your pressure is not on the ball they are going to mark it.
“We've been up for a fair while; down today; we'll bounce back next week.”
After seeing first-hand how Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett work as a ruck combination, Hardwick said he had not ruled out using Ivan Soldo and Toby Nankervis in a similar way.
But there was a bit to work through before trialling it.
“It's always something we are addressing; we're not always saying, this is a look we want to be,” he said.
“If we have a player going well enough we'll have a look at it. Soldo has been in really good form. Nank has been in good form too but by bringing Soldo in do we rob ourselves of the strength of having Nank around the ground?
“So, they are the constant decisions we have to ask ourselves.”
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