PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 06: Adem Yze, Senior Coach of the Tigers addresses the players at the break during the 2024 AFL Round 17 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Richmond Tigers at Optus Stadium on July 06, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Richmond coach Adem Yze acknowledged his team’s effort on Saturday night, but conceded that the Dockers’ superior polish was too much to overcome.

Richmond coach Adem Yze said he could not doubt his team’s effort in Saturday night’s 51-point loss against Fremantle at Optus Stadium, but the Dockers’ polish proved too much to overcome.

“Our execution wasn’t at the level tonight, or as good as theirs was,” Yze said post-match. “Their polish forward of the ball was a lot better than ours was, and we had missed opportunities.”

Yze highlighted Captain Toby Nankervis for his tireless performance in the ruck against Sean Darcy in the first half and then Luke Jackson, winning 11 clearances for his team.

“He’s our captain for a reason. He puts the team on his shoulders and they follow,” Yze said.

“He’s done that for the majority of the year, really. But his last month, while we’re going through a fair bit of adversity, he really is the most competitive guy in our locker room.

“We couldn’t ask any more against two really strong ruckmen. I know Darcy went out of the game in the second half, but we’re really proud of the captain’s effort.”

Yze mentioned that the Tigers would consider playing Jack Graham in run-with roles during the latter stages of the season after he limited Caleb Serong’s effectiveness in the first half.

Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin has not been ruled out of next Sunday’s clash against Greater Western Sydney despite a back injury. His availability will depend on how he is feeling early in the week.

“We’ve got an eight-day break now, so we’ll just base it on his body and see if he walks in on Monday or Tuesday and feels like he can train. That’s how we have to manage him,” Yze said.