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Shayne Hope

Energised Tigers face test to back up against Crows

Hot off their drought-breaking win over the Eagles in Perth, Richmond host the Crows at the MCG. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Richmond beating fellow strugglers West Coast is one thing.

Backing it up against flag aspirants Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday is another thing altogether.

And that's exactly what the Tigers are desperate to do following their drought-breaking victory in the west.

"We can't bask in that performance for too long," Richmond coach Adem Yze said.

Richmond coach Adem Yze
Richmond coach Adem Yze wants the Tigers to home in on the challenge of hosting the Crows. (Adam Trafford/AAP PHOTOS)

"We're coming up against a really strong team that's in really good form.

"It was a great weekend for the footy club with some reward for effort, and I felt like we were getting there.

"Now we've just got to do it against a good team - or another good team - at our home ground in front of our Tiger Army."

Adelaide (4-4), last year's minor premiers, have squared their season ledger with three wins from the past four rounds.

Crows coach Matthew Nicks is eyeing a leap up the ladder, hoping to use last week's narrow victory over arch rivals Port Adelaide as the springboard.

"Momentum is beginning to come to our game and we're starting to feel there's an energy around the place," Nicks said.

Crows coach Matthew Nicks
Crows coach Matthew Nicks says he is feeling plenty of positive energy around the club. (AAP PHOTOS)

"We had that there previously, but there was probably some frustration in areas that we weren't getting right.

"Port were in some really good form, and still are, and we feel like that was a really big win for us. 

"Sliding doors moments at the end ... and in the end we were able to get it done. It was really pleasing and I think we'll build off that."

Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson returns against Richmond after missing two of the previous three games following the death of his eldest brother.

Key defender Nick Murray is also back, with Taylor Walker (hamstring) and Jordon Butts (adductor) unavailable.

The Tigers have lost veteran midfielder Dion Prestia (calf) but regain fellow ball-winner Tim Taranto (concussion).

Despite Walker going out, Adelaide resisted the urge to rush Darcy Fogarty into their side after time out with a back injury.

Darcy Fogarty
The Crows have decided not to rush Darcy Fogarty back into the line-up. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

"He's a very important of what we do in the second half of the year," Nicks said.

"We're three games now away from the bye and it will be a medium-term decision that we make, and longer-term.

"We've missed that scoreboard impact that Darcy brings and how deadly he is in front of goal, and I think he'll be better for (the time out).

"Getting a re-energised Darcy Fogarty back in - he's missed five weeks now - that decision will be one we won't take lightly." 

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