RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says Gold Coast star Gary Ablett has become an even more attacking player this season as the Tigers consider how to contain the Brownlow Medal favourite in Cairns.
Ablett has been instrumental in the Suns' upset wins over Richmond in northern Queensland over the last two years, and he is forefront in the Tigers' minds ahead of Saturday night's clash at Cazalys Stadium.
Hardwick said he would consider using Daniel Jackson in a run-with role, or rotating a number of midfielders through the Suns captain, who is averaging more than 32 disposals a game this year.
He said Adelaide skipper Nathan van Berlo had been the most successful player this season in containing Ablett who appears certain to return from a calf complaint this week.
"His season thus far has been absolutely outstanding," Hardwick said on Thursday.
"I don't think there's a player over the history of the game that's improved every season.
"He's changed the way he plays. I think he's more attacking now than he has been previously.
"His possessions I think are better. A lot of them are in the front half.
"He's improving every year, which not many players do."
Richmond has lost both its clashes against the Suns in Cairns, by 15 points in 2011 and two points last season, when Karmichael Hunt famously kicked the match-winning goal after the siren.
Hardwick said he didn't consider the Tigers' run against the expansion club a 'hoodoo' and pointed to the Tigers' 2-1 record interstate this season.
"We're 2-1, and that one loss was to Freo by a point, so we're reasonably pleased with how that's going," he said.
"The reality is if we play good enough football with a four-quarter effort, we'll get the result going our way.
"Having said that, they're a good side and they play a style of game that is similar to what North Melbourne played."
Richmond flies out of Melbourne on Friday morning and appears unlikely to recall important half-back Bachar Houli, who missed last week's loss with hamstring soreness and didn't train with the main group on Thursday.
Ruckman Ivan Maric is set to return after two weeks out with a groin strain, while Brandon Ellis is likely to play after suffering a concussion against North Melbourne last round.
Midfielder Shane Tuck could play his first game since round seven after returning from a shoulder injury through the VFL.
Nathan Schmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_Nathan
