Richmond coach Damien Hardwick praised the efforts of experienced key defender Troy Chaplin in last Saturday night’s Dreamtime clash with Essendon.

Chaplin was one of the few positives to emerge from the Tigers’ 29-point loss, picking up 22 disposals and taking a game-high 13 marks under constant pressure.

“He’s a very good player, and he’s only going to get better,” Hardwick said.

“People forget he had a really injury-interrupted pre-season as well, so it does take a little bit of time to come in.

“But I thought he was terrific.”

Chaplin joined Richmond as a restricted free agent last October following a 140-game league career at Port Adelaide.

He had added valuable height, strength, maturity and composure to the Tigers’ defence.