Richmond coach Damien Hardwick insists he is not overly concerned with the recent subpar form of Jack Riewoldt.
The three-time Coleman Medallist and two-time premiership forward has struggled in the past fortnight in his side’s Round 2 draw with Collingwood and Round 3 loss to Hawthorn.
Riewoldt’s hunger and motivation has been questioned by some corners of the footy media this week but Hardwick points to the lack of form of the majority of the competition’s other key forwards as the main reason why he isn’t worried.
“People are quick to jump on a champion's back,” Hardwick told reporters in defence of the 634-goal Riewoldt.
“People forget he kicked five goals in the Grand Final, on the biggest stage on earth, so he's a very good player
“The key forwards in general have been struggling throughout the League at the moment, so we're not too worried about it.
“The sky's certainly not falling down from our point of view.”
The reigning premiers will welcome back star midfielder Dustin Martin for Saturday’s clash with St Kilda after he missed the Hawks defeat with bruised ribs.
“I think the week off no doubt helped him,” Hardwick said of the dual Norm Smith Medallist.
“From our point of view, it was always touch and go last week but he's such an important player to the way we play, we just want to make sure he's right.
“He's a bit of a barometer for us as well, so we need to make sure we're giving him the best chance to play to the very best of his ability.”
Joining Martin in the side to take on the Saints will be Liam Baker who returns from a trip back home to Western Australia for personal reasons.
There may be one or two further changes for the Tigers with a handful of players underperforming in the past two weeks including Daniel Rioli and Sydney Stack while the recent form of Marlion Pickett and Ivan Soldo has been questioned.
Premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis is in line for a recall while Kamdyn McIntosh and Patrick Naish have been touted as possible inclusions along with potential debutants Riley Collier-Dawkins and Thomson Dow as the Tigers look for their second win of the season.