Richmond coach Adem Yze has discussed the selection pressure facing the Tigers over the last six games of the season. 

Forward Jasper Alger has been omitted for Sunday’s game against Hawthorn, with Yze explaining how the competition for senior spots is heating up as Richmond aims to strike the perfect balance of its best 23.

“We're starting to get some availability back, so competition for spots is going to be harder,” Yze said on Friday.

“With Jasper, it's really unfortunate, but it was just more around the balance of our team, we need some smaller players, we need some pressure. 

“Our pressure wasn't good enough last week, our inside-50, we couldn't lock it in. 

“We're just looking at the dynamic of our team and the balance of our team, and for him it's just unfortunate that he's fallen out this week. 

“He's a terrific kid, he's got a big future, he'll just go back and hopefully break the door down by playing a couple of good games at VFL level.”

Yze added how the battle for AFL minutes is a carrot that will help keep the group motivated for the final stretch of the campaign.

“Competition for spots is going to be pretty important right now and start to heat up,” he said.

“We expect our players to drive standards as if we were playing in a final series. 

“We can't make the finals, but we can shape it, so we know what Hawthorn are playing for. We want to put some of our players under pressure and hope that we can spoil the party.”