Richmond will speak to the AFL umpires department over the physical pressure that Geelong put on Trent Cotchin during Sunday’s match at Simonds Stadium.

Despite being tagged by Taylor Hunt, the star onballer was one of the Tigers’ best players with 25 possessions, five clearances and nine tackles in the 10-point loss.

Asked if his side suffered any injuries, coach Damien Hardwick said: “I think Cotchin got bear-hugged to death – other than that, I think we’re okay.

“It would be interesting if you guys (media) went back and looked at the tape.

“He’s a ball player, ‘Cotch’, and we just want what’s best for the game – people come to see the kid play.

“Just give him a crack, I’d say.”

Asked if he would call umpires boss Gieschen about the matter, Hardwick sighed and said “again”.

Richmond drew level with the Cats when they kicked the first two goals of the final term, but Geelong were then able to lock the ball in their half of the ground.

The Tigers were left rueing eight successive behinds from late in the first term until early in the third, including 0.5 when they had the win in the second quarter.

Hardwick said his players had “worked their backsides off” and noted the last time they played in Geelong two years ago, they lost by 108 points.

But he would not accept it was an honourable loss.

Richmond’s draw at the start of the season is tough and they have one win from four games.

They host unbeaten West Coast next Sunday at Etihad Stadium and Hardwick said it would be a “huge opportunity”.

“We’ve changed – the player group last year came into these games hoping to win,” Hardwick said.

“Now they come into every game knowing they can win.

“It’s a massive step forward … we’re just yet to see the reward.

“We go into next week playing West Coast feeling very, very confident.”