Richmond coach Damien Hardwick was pleased with the collective output of the team’s big-man combination of Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo in yesterday’s 31-point victory over Brisbane at Etihad Stadium.

The Tigers selected Soldo for the match to provide Nankervis with some much-needed back-up in the ruck department, and the 204cm, 106kg, 21-year-old, playing just his third AFL game, did just that.

He had eight disposals, two marks, four tackles, 23 hit-outs and, along with Nankervis, helped Richmond gain the important first use of the ball at the centre bounces and around-the-ground stoppages throughout the contest.

Nankervis, who became a big target at times for the Tigers up forward, through the addition of Soldo in the line-up, finished with 18 disposals, including 10 contested possessions, four inside-50s, four marks and 14 hit-outs.

“I thought Soldo in and around the ruck contest was very good,” Hardwick said.

“He’s still learning the game . . . he’s been playing for three-odd years.

“He’s got a bit of an area for improvement, but I love what he gives in and around the contest.

“And ‘Nank’, up forward, provided a contest a number of times.

“He gave off a couple (of goals). Probably didn’t get to be the marking option inside 50 we were looking for, but mainly that was because of our ball use inside 50.

“So we’ll have a look at it again, I think.”