Despite showing some fight against a talent-laden Gold Coast Suns, Richmond ended up on the wrong end of a 68-point belting on Saturday at the MCG.
The Tigers were dealt a double blow for the near future as star forward Tom Lynch and captain Toby Nankervis were both taken out of the game with hamstring injuries.
Richmond coach Adem Yze said the club is hoping that both injuries are on the lighter side and doesn't think there has been a big enough sample size yet to know if the new AFL rules are harming players by causing more soft tissue injuries.
"I think in most seasons a lot of players do their 'hammy' or have soft tissue injuries," he said.
"Lynchy' was an unfortunate one, he was in really good form and a real focal point for us. He has hurt his left hammy before, but talking to him at halftime he has never done his right. Hopefully, it's only a small one, 'Nank' is similar.
"Not sure the speed of the game affects Lynchy and Nank for us, so we probably can't argue that. But obviously disappointed for Petracca (who also injured his hamstring during the match), he was in good form, so if you think the speed of the game affects him then maybe, but I don't think it is a big enough sample size."
One of the highlights of the match came when Richmond pocket-rocket Maurice Rioli laid one of his trademark chase down holding the ball tackles on uncle and Sun Daniel Rioli.
Yze said Maurice's impact when the chips were down for the Tigers didn't go unnoticed.
"Daniel is in great form and MJ provides great spark for us," he said. "He was one that I highlighted, Maurice's effort and attitude for the whole game even when we obviously lost some height in our front end and he was jumping at marks and creating contests for us.
"Normally, he wouldn't have to but it felt like he was really driving the spirit of our group and he always does. It was a bit unusual watching (Maurice and Daniel) play on each other, I reckon they would have enjoyed that and will be talking about that for a little while."
Another shining light for the Tigers was the efforts from the recalled Mykelti Lefau.
After being suspended by the club for two matches in February for a drink driving charge, Yze said Lefau played an important role in his first game back when ruck Nankervis went down.
"(Lefau) has been terrific, he has earned his position, he has had his head down, bum up trained really hard," he said.
"He knows he is trying to earn the respect back off his teammates and he did that. He would have earned a bit back off not only the coaching staff but the Tiger army today because he shouldered a lot today and was out there for a long time.
"He was rucking against (Jarrod) Witts at times when we couldn't get the rotation right. He is obviously going to be pretty important for us going forward now that Nank is out. He did all we can ask."
