ADAM Simpson had to use every ounce of strength to restrain himself from commenting on Ty Vickery's hit on Dean Cox.

 

Vickery was reported for striking Cox in an ugly incident during the second term of Richmond's 17-point win over West Coast at Patersons Stadium on Friday night.

 

The AFL warned clubs earlier this week not to comment on potential Match Review Panel or Tribunal matters in a way that might affect the case in the wake of the Brian Lake-Drew Petrie hearing.

 

West Coast's coach held his nerve after the game, but his blood was clearly boiling over the incident that has left his retiring champion heavily concussed.

 

"He's not good," Simpson said of Cox.

 

"Let's not talk about that. It'll deal with itself throughout the week."

 

Simpson was asked whether he had faith in the Match Review Panel to deal with the incident appropriately.

 

"Time will tell," he said.

 

The first-year coach's blood pressure calmed when he was asked about the match itself but he was still frustrated at his side's performance.

 

Simpson's team was beaten at the coalface, with Richmond gathering 27 more contested possessions than the Eagles in very heavy conditions.

 

Simpson said his side needed bigger bodies in the midfield.

 

"I think it's less about the intent, it's more about the technique," Simpson said.

 

"Bigger bodies. I think we need to get bigger … bigger and stronger. So we'll embark on that now in preparation for next year.

 

"On nights like this two things stand out, the bigger bodies and class. I just thought at the pointy end we just got pipped."

 

Richmond had 10 players collect 10 contested possessions or more to the Eagles’ seven.

 

Matt Priddis was a shining light in the midfield with 19 contested possessions and 18 tackles but the coach felt his team had too many passengers.

 

However, Simpson said it's not all doom and gloom.

 

"I think we've got some good kids coming through who have got some size," Simpson said.

 

"But we're missing three senior players. (Elliot) Yeo was getting down that track, and (Scott) Selwood and (Matt) Rosa.

 

"So we're fighting a bit thin across the midfield but that's something that we'll work on, and we've been working on, along with technique as well."

 

Simpson conceded that any faint hope of a September appearance had been washed away on Friday night but he said the next five weeks were still valuable.

 

"It's an important period for us," Simpson said.

 

"We want to continue to develop our fundamentals, and see what our kids can do.

 

"We're finding out a lot about our list at the moment."