Triple-premiership player and Richmond assistant coach Justin Leppitsch is backing the Tigers to roll with the punches in Saturday’s AFL grand final against GWS, who he describes as setting the benchmark for physicality.
The Giants have played a bruising brand of footy during a highly-impressive run to their maiden premiership decider.
Their supremacy at the coalface was notable in a classic preliminary final victory over Collingwood at the MCG, where they withstood a frantic late comeback to emerge four-point winners.
Leon Cameron’s men have also played on the edge, led by ruckman Shane Mumford and combative star Toby Greene.
But Leppitsch, who played in Brisbane’s 2001-03 premiership trifecta, is confident the Tigers have the strength of character to absorb anything thrown at them.
“I think one thing this group has more than any other team I’ve faced is resilience,” Leppitsch told reporters on Thursday.
“You’re just going to have to be there to the end to beat the Tigers and I think everyone knows that.
“I couldn’t imagine Shane Mumford deciding this is the game he’s going to take the foot off the pedal.
“We know that’s coming, it’s just about how we absorb that and are able to overcome that.
“And when it’s our turn, get the game on our terms.”
The Tigers will start favourites to claim their second flag in three years at the MCG, where GWS have managed just four wins from 19 games.
Not that Leppitsch reckons the odds count for much at this point.
“The Giants, they’re warriors. They’ll battle to the end no matter what happens,” he said.
“One thing I know about grand final day is that the chance of the favourite winning or the underdog winning is probably 50-50. It’s just the way it goes.
“Any team that gets to here, you’re a pretty bloody good team.
“So we don’t take it that way, the public might take it that way, who knows, but (internally), the Giants are highly respected.”
Richmond are set to make one change, replacing hard-luck story Jack Graham after he failed to overcome a shoulder injury sustained in their preliminary final.
The Tigers are yet to declare their 22 but Jack Ross, Kamdyn McIntosh and potential debutant Marlion Pickett are fighting for the final spot.
“Every player we (could potentially) bring in, we think has got a great role to fill,” Leppitsch said.
“Kamdyn’s a great experienced player. Jack Ross is a great hard inside-mid that’s a good ready-made replacement for a Jack Graham.
“Marlion adds a bit more X-factor.
“All three of them are probably at the same level at the starting gates.
“That’s what’s made this decision so tough.”
