Dogs dismiss Wallace factor
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says the Tigers' form, not Terry Wallace's farewell, is the issue
Eade said Richmond's form against Fremantle was a bigger concern to him than the club's off-field situation.
"It will be more about the way we go about our footy, it shouldn't really affect anything," Eade said on Tuesday, a day after Wallace resigned.
"It is more about their form and the way they played on the weekend.
"They are a dangerous opposition if you allow them to be.
"We have got to worry about what we have got control of, and that's the way we go about it.
"We've got good momentum at the moment and we need to cement that on Friday night."
He also believes the Richmond players are more likely to be affected emotionally by Wallace's departure next weekend when the outgoing coach is gone.
"I think it only happens when the coach goes and the new coach comes in," he said.
Eade said Wallace's apology to the Bulldogs for the way he left the club seven years ago "wasn't talked about" around Whitten Oval.
He will also put off contacting Wallace to offer his condolences until after Friday night's game.
Earlier, club football operations manager James Fantasia told afl.com.au this week's events would not make the Tigers any more desperate to secure the four points than the Bulldogs were.
"They won't be any more determined than we will be," he said.
"It's a Friday night game, and because the competition is so tight, our boys will go in this week and there won't be any issue about whether Terry is there, not there, or not there after that night.
"They'll just go out to get the four points, and that's what our focus will be on."