Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Shane Tuck may still struggle to earn a regular game for the Tigers following his 32-possession effort on Sunday.

Tuck, Trent Cotchin and Brett Deledio all had over 30 disposals as the 13th-placed Tigers were overwhelmed by the AFL's second-placed side Geelong at Etihad Stadium.

The Cats kicked 11.5 to 1.4 in the first half and after an even second half they cruised to a 17.11 (113) to 7.9 (51) win.

"'Tucky' was really good," Hardwick said of the 29-year-old who was playing his 135th game and only his fifth for 2011.

"It's more about trying to get the best fit for the side. With the amount of midfielders we've got going through there, you can't have too many inside mids.

"Tucky played his role today and did it very very well but with Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Nathan Foley, all those sort of players, which one do I leave out?

"Tucky to his credit, he has been a star. The way he accepts things, he knows where he's at.

"We're really happy with his game."

Tuck, who started last season in the VFL because of deficiencies in his defensive game, finished up playing the last 20 games for the Tigers in 2010 and was fifth in their club best and fairest award.

He is a possible recruiting target for 2012 debutants Greater Western Sydney.

Richmond could be without captain Chris Newman (knee) and fellow defender Jake Batchelor in the coming weeks, although they have the bye in round 19.

"We just can't seem to take a trick with our back six at the moment," Hardwick said.

"To lose two back rotations in the first quarter, we're shuffling players around.

"We've got Matthew White trying to play down there who hasn't played down there all year, (small forward) Jake King was down there at stages.

"We just couldn't find the right match-up."

Hardwick said the Tigers needed to add to their five wins for 2011 and would not revert to simply blooding more youth.

"I don't know if we can play more kids. We've got enough in the side at the moment," Hardwick said.

"We just need to get some wins."

Hardwick said Jack Riewoldt, who kicked three goals to take his tally to 50, was starting to get back to full fitness and top form.

"It was the first week at training (for several weeks) where I thought he jumped really really well," the Tigers mentor said.

"I think he's getting closer which is a real positive for us."

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