Tigers, Roos not driven by avoiding AFL wooden spoon

The prospect of climbing off the bottom of the AFL ladder won’t serve as motivation for Richmond in a clash with North Melbourne that could decide the destination of this year’s wooden spoon – and the No.1 draft pick.

The Tigers and Kangaroos both take league-worst 2-17 records into Saturday’s encounter at Marvel Stadium, with the loser tipped to finish last.

Only third-from-bottom West Coast (3-16) are within reach.

It is familiar territory for North Melbourne, who have ended the past four seasons in the bottom two.

But Richmond are in danger of being handed their first wooden spoon since 2007, having struggled to cope with a deluge of injuries in Adem Yze’s first season at the helm.

Despite the likely fallout from their clash, Yze echoed Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson’s sentiments in declaring ladder positions irrelevant this week.

“We haven’t talked about where we sit on the ladder – we’ve talked about the way we want to play,” Yze said on Friday.

“We feel elements of our game have been really strong over the last couple of weeks, but we just haven’t been able to play a full four quarters.

“We’re planning to do so (on Saturday) and we know the Kangas will be pumped and up for the fight, so we can’t wait to get started.

“(Winning) is always important. That’s what we play and coach for and that’s what our supporters want.

“We’re in the process of trying to train hard and finish the season off the right way and we expect to win every game.”

North Melbourne have been lauded for their improved showings since their mid-season bye, while Richmond have suffered six consecutive losses by an average margin of 41.8 points.

The Tigers have been bolstered for a winnable contest by the return of experienced trio Dustin Martin, Toby Nankervis and Jack Graham from injuries.

Key midfielder Tim Taranto has also been cleared to play after being subbed out last week for a recurrence of the back injury he battled during his time at GWS.

Superstar Martin will play for the first time in five weeks after overcoming a back complaint, amid ongoing uncertainty around his playing future beyond this season.

“Dusty’s in a really good spot,” Yze said.

“He’s trained for a week and a half and got some quality sessions in, so he’s ready to go.”

Graham is reportedly considering a move to West Coast, joining fellow free agents Martin and Liam Baker, and contracted pair Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli, as players linked with Richmond exits in the off-season.

Yze has repeatedly said he would be comfortable with off-contract players declaring their intentions before the end of the season, but isn’t interested in the discussion around contracted stars.

“When you’re talking about players like Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli, players that are contracted, that’s just innuendo and speculation and I feel like that’s disrespectful,” Yze said.

“Jack Graham’s got a decision to make. He’s out of contract, he’s a restricted free agent, so he’ll make that decision and it’s the same with Liam Baker.

“But to be worried about speculation and rumors is not what we’re about.”