Star Richmond defender Joel Bowden is no certainty to play for the Tigers against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, despite a return to form in the VFL.

Coach Terry Wallace said the two-time best and fairest would figure in selection discussions after a 30 possession game for VFL affiliate Coburg on Saturday, but there were no guarantees.

Bowden was one of four omissions ahead of the Tigers' 64-point upset win over Fremantle, with Kayne Pettifer missing due to suspension along with Matthew White and Greg Tivendale, who were also dropped.

Wallace said the dumped trio had paid the price for a lack of pressure on the opposition and the club would continue to pick players who go in for the hard ball, not reputations.

"Of the four players who didn't play on the weekend all four of them had zero tackles in the (previous) game against Collingwood," Wallace said.

"We went for what we thought was a more competitive team to go into our next clash. I didn't have any hesitation about that."

"If blokes want to compete and play at the levels we think that they should, they will play senior footy."

"If they don't want to compete, it doesn't matter if they are a first gamer or 200 gamer, (they won't be selected)."

But Wallace said Bowden, who has played 238 matches, had shown some good signs at the lower grade.

"He played very well at VFL level and he needed to do that," Wallace said.

"Purely and simply Joel was lacking in a bit of confidence.

"He wasn't playing good football and sometimes to go back to a lower level, get your confidence up so you're not second guessing yourself, is as good as anything else (and) that's exactly what he did."

Tigers key-position player Graham Polak, who notches up game 100 on Sunday, said the players understand what's required from Wallace and his lieutenants.

"It's always a bit surprising when a quality player like Joel goes down there (playing in the reserves)," Polak said.

"But we had guys come into the team who are really keen and ready to have a crack at it.

"As you saw on the weekend they put their body on the line and showed they are capable of playing at this level for us and we got the win which was great."

Polak, who was traded from Fremantle to Tigerland two years ago, admitted last Sunday's match gave him the chance to show his old side he still had great potential.

"You get the fixture at the start of the year and you tend to look when you're playing your old team," Polak said.

"To go over there, to prove to the critics I`ve still got a lot to offer in the game and to get a win was sensational."

With spearhead Matthew Richardson moved into a free-running wing role, Wallace used Polak in attack, the move suiting the 23-year-old, who hauled in 11 marks.

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