Richmond coach Adem Yze has clarified the reason for Jacob Hopper's Round 6 absence against North Melbourne.
The efficiency and effectiveness of the big-bodied midfielder has been questioned in recent weeks, but Yze indicated his omission was due to a short turnaround between Round 6 and 7.
“We've got a five-day break post this game. This week we made a decision on ‘Hop' to manage him so he can be available for next week,” Yze said.
“We just don't want to get to a situation next week where we have three or four red flags with older players that might not be available so we just want to share the load.
“There will be decisions around some older guys next week so we're just looking two weeks in advance.
“He played well on the weekend but he's a guy that would be a red flag next week so we'll just do that so we don't have too many older guys missing.”
Hopper has averaged 22 disposals and six clearances but his ball-use and lack of speed has been queried with the Tigers having drafted several young midfielder across the past two years.
Yze provided a positive update on one of those youngsters, Taj Hotton, who was ruled out of the first half of the season with a hip injury after an ACL rupture interrupted his first season.
“He's ticked the box to start running which is a real positive and an exciting thing for the second half of the year, to see him back amongst the group and getting out what he does best and what he loves doing which is training and playing and that's not too far away,” Yze said.
Despite sitting 3-2 and in strong form, Richmond will fancy its chances to challenge North Melbourne.
The only winless side in the competition, Yze said the club was still taking positives from the early part of the season.
“We're getting a lot of spirit from little wins within games…Right now, we're getting wins within games that we're highlighting,” Yze said.
“We have reviewed games honestly, we looked at positives, we know where we need to get better and will hopefully rectify that this weekend.”
