RICHMOND will consider resting a host of players from Sunday's VFL Grand Final, as it waits on the extent of injuries to midfielder Jack Graham and defender Nathan Broad.
The Tigers bravely fought from 21 points down to overcome that Cats on Friday night, qualifying for their second AFL Grand Final in three years with a 19-point win.
It did so despite Graham being hampered by a dislocated shoulder sustained in the first term and having lost Broad to a nasty concussion late in the third quarter.
Graham soldiered on, though will have scans on his injured shoulder in the coming days, with the Tigers currently unsure over the damage he sustained in the opening stages.
Meanwhile, Broad didn't return after copping some friendly fire from Jayden Short.
Richmond will subsequently consider holding players from this Sunday's VFL Grand Final against Williamstown, with an eye on next Saturday's crucial AFL premiership decider.
Mabior Chol, Dan Butler, Jack Ross and Marlion Pickett were the club's four emergencies for Friday night's game and could therefore find themselves as the most likely to be withdrawn.
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"It's a strong possibility," Hardwick said on Friday evening.
"We'll go back tonight and figure it out. We're not too sure with Jack … and Nathan was obviously ruled out with concussion. (But) we've got an eight-day break, so we'll assess those guys and give you the information as soon as we've got it."
Sydney Stack will feature in Sunday's VFL Grand Final, attempting to reclaim his place in the senior side having made a remarkable five-week recovery from a syndesmosis injury.
As for what he needs to do to earn his spot, a jovial Hardwick set his expectations high.
"What does he have to do? Just six goals would be nice," Hardwick laughed.
"(But) I'm not too sure. We thought our boys played pretty well tonight. Once again, we'll take stock, review the game, take a look at Sunday and figure it out."
Richmond superstar Dustin Martin and captain Trent Cotchin also looked ginger throughout the first half, though Hardwick quickly extinguished any concerns over their availability.
Martin appeared to cop a cork in the early stages of the game, though played out the match, while Cotchin returned after sustaining a kick to his leg from Joel Selwood.
"(Trent) is all fine," Hardwick said.
"He cops knocks every week, it's the way he plays. He's a ballistic player, so his physicality is something that does inspire, but it also gets him hurt every now and then.
"(Dustin) is fine. He's all good."
Hardwick reserved special praise for the efforts of Graham after the game, with his young midfielder returning to the field after quarter time despite suffering a dislocated shoulder.
Graham looked in immense pain as he came from the ground after an awkward tackle early in the game, but played out the match to finish with seven disposals and five tackles.
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"If I'm going to be honest, we packed him up at half-time," Hardwick said.
"We saw him walking off the ground and we spoke to him over the phone, asking him whether he could go on. He said, 'yep, I can do it'.
"Where it ends up with Jack, we're not too sure. But what I know is that there will be a chapter in our history that has a massive positive thing for Jack Graham.
"That effort was simply incredible."
