Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has heaped praise on Tigers captain Trent Cotchin and vice-captains Alex Rance and Jack Riewoldt for the crucial role they play in maintaining the high standards within the Club’s playing group.

“We consistently talk to Trent (Cotchin), Jack (Riewoldt) and Alex (Rance) and they set the tone for it,” Hardwick said.

“As leaders, they’re hungry.

“They want to achieve great things. And great things can be on a weekly basis as well.

“We want to play a certain way, a certain style, and those guys really drive those behaviours.”

One of those behaviours is putting the team’s interests ahead of individual gains, which is something Hardwick believes his star key forward Riewoldt does so well.

Riewoldt shone in this area during last Saturday’s JLT Community Series win against Essendon at Wangaratta, recording a game-high 11 score involvements.

“I thought Jack’s selflessness was really evident,” Hardwick said.

“That’s how much he’s grown as a player.

“I think his ability to be selfless overall has always been great, but he’s taken it to a new level this year.”