RICHMOND fans can get used to seeing Steve Morris playing the type of role recently vacated by Jake King, Damien Hardwick says. 

 

Morris, 26, largely played in the Tigers' forward half intheir 22-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in their first NAB Challenge hit-out on Saturday at Whitten Oval.

 

He also captained the team in the absence of Trent Cotchin after his elevation to the leadership group for this season.

 

Hardwick said the tough defender, who played all of last season with a serious shoulder injury, had played a similar role during his Western Jets under 18 days.

 

"He's been playing that role in our intra-clubs and he's been going really well," Hardwick said.

 

"He had two shots on goal today and the ball wasn't inside 50 a lot, so he made the most of his opportunities and put enormous pressure on, which we love as well.

 

"I thought we missed Jake last year in that role ... that pressure-type forward and a bit of an intimidating force up there as well.

 

"He just puts enormous pressure on and makes players around him better. He'll continue to learn his craft there.

 

"We'll persevere with that one."

 

Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric, Dustin Martin, Chris Newman, Alex Rance, Troy Chaplin, Bachar Houli, Nathan Foley, Brandon Ellis, Reece Conca and Shane Edwards were held back from Saturday's game.

 

Hardwick said the majority of those who missed would be available for their next NAB Challenge clash, which is against Port Adelaide in Albury in a fortnight. 

Defender David Astbury was a late omission from the expanded squad, along with Ellis, Conca and Edwards, which meant the Tigers played with a seven-man bench instead of eight.

 

Hardwick said Astbury, who is coming back from a second serious knee injury, had developed some soreness this week at training.

 

"He's just got a bit of 'DOMS' [delayed onset muscle soreness] and just with his injury history we decided to pull him out," he said.

 

"We didn't want to take the risk.

 

"He was leading our best and fairest in round eight last year [before he got hurt] so we just want to make sure he gets some form up and plays some games to make sure he can put his hand up for that round one spot."

 

Hardwick also praised the performance of defender Todd Elton, who took on Tom Boyd after thriving in a backline role over the past year.

 

"I thought he was outstanding on Boyd today," he said.

 

"He's a guy who's been on our list for three years, but I thought he had the better of the duel, which we're really excited about.

 

"We've found a player who can play key back on a good player."

 

 

Twitter: @AFL_JenPhelan