Richmond coach Adem Yze showed a sense of pride when vice-captain Tim Taranto stepped in to defend younger teammate Maurice Rioli against Hawthorn skipper James Sicily.
During Sunday's one-sided affair at the MCG, Sicily caught Rioli holding the ball in the second term, and made it known to the Tigers forward.
Taranto immediately rushed toward the Hawks defender and bumped him, causing the umpire to punish the midfielder and award Sicily a 50-metre penalty, putting him within goal-kicking distance.
The incident sparked a melee between the two clubs.
Yze said that although Taranto may have "overstepped" the mark with his response, he'd rather the experienced head protect his teammates than not at all.
"100 per cent he's got to fly the flag," Yze said.
"Sic is a fiery character, and he got into one of our younger players, so for our vice-captain to step in and fly the flag, there's obviously method to it.
"But as a coach, when one of your leaders is going in to help one of your younger players, and lead by example, he might have overstepped it, but I'd rather he do that than not go in there at all."
A crucial part of that protection is the ongoing story surrounding Noah Balta, who returned for Sunday's clash after missing last week due to the curfew laws outlined in his punishment from his off-season assault charge.
Hawthorn fans didn't take too kindly to Balta, with onlookers noticing booing toward the premiership Tiger.
"Every supporter group can do what they want, but what we can do is put our arms around him and support him," Yze said.
"We've just got to make sure that doesn't tip over the edge and create any anxiety and pressure for him.
"We've got to support him as best we can throughout the week, and he knows how much we love him.
"As I said, every supporter group can do what they want, but I would be hoping the Tiger Army don't do that to other players."
Balta will miss a host of matches over the next three months but is free to play in Round 9 against West Coast on Sunday, but might miss the winnable clash after coming from the ground late with a suspected injury.
"He copped a bit of a corky," Yze said.
"He was trying his best to get our ball movement going from our back half, but he's OK. He's a battering ram."
