Damien Hardwick has called on umpires to provide superstar Dustin Martin with greater protection from taggers ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster clash with West Coast at Optus Stadium.

Martin was held to just 16 disposals by Ben Jacobs in the Tigers’ win over North Melbourne last week and Eagles midfielders Elliot Yeo and Mark Hutchings have been flagged as possible opponents for the Brownlow Medal winner.

Yeo won plenty of plaudits for his negating job on Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe in the derby last month and his versatility means he could go with Martin when the Tigers gun pushes forward.

Hardwick said he did not contact the AFL umpiring department about Martin's physical treatment in the North Melbourne defeat.

However, he used his weekly press conference on Friday morning to put the whistlebowers on notice before the top-of-the-table showdown with West Coast.

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Camera Icon Ben Jacobs was all over the Brownlow medallist. Credit: Getty Images

“It’s not often we see Dustin getting beaten and he took that on board and Jacobs did a great job, but we probably thought he could’ve got a little bit more protection from the umpires at various stages,” Hardwick said.

“He’s a ball player and he only got one free kick for the day. That’s something we can’t control, but the fact of the matter is that we want to see the ball players play.

“Ben Jacobs did a terrific job last week but we expect Dustin to bounce back this week.”

Hardwick said he had not followed Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson’s lead to raise his concerns direct with AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan.

“That’s for the umpires to determine and see how they play,” Hardwick said.

“All we ask is that the players playing the ball get a fair go.”

Ruckman Toby Nankervis remains in doubt with a wrist injury and must get through Friday morning’s training session at Punt Road Oval. Ivan Soldo looms as his replacement.

Richmond will take up to two travelling emergencies on their flight to Perth on Saturday.