Wallace defends quiet Tambling

RICHMOND coach Terry Wallace has leapt to the defence of midfielder Richard Tambling, who had just 12 touches, including one up until half time, against the Western Bulldogs at Docklands on Monday.

Wallace said the Tiger had his reasons for a quiet match, after he became a proud father in the lead-up to Richmond's 47-point loss.

"All I'll say in Richard's defence is that it's been a pretty big 72 hours for him," Wallace said, also acknowledging he heard the yellow and black army give him an ironic cheer late in the match.

"He had the birth of his daughter two evenings ago and got no sleep the day before the game, so he's had a pretty (difficult) run. It's always an emotional time in anyone's life.

"He didn't play in the manner in which he would like to. I don't know whether he was aware, but I heard the reaction of the crowd, and he's got to live with that."

Wallace said Tambling is a player he relies on each week.

"He didn't live up to his part of the bargain today, and we'll see where that leaves him from a selection point of view as the week rolls on," he said.

"You've got to balance it out. He has had a pretty big 72 hours, but certainly it wasn't a performance to write home about."

Meanwhile, Wallace said midfielder Mark Coughlan, who has not played for Richmond since round 12 in 2006 due to knee and hamstring injuries, remains close to returning. He was an emergency against the Bulldogs.

"He's now had one real game. Round one of the VFL was yesterday, and they were practice matches prior to that," Wallace said.

"He's had one-and-a-half practice games, so maybe [he'll play] next week or maybe he's a couple of weeks away.

"We'll make that decision during the week."