When facing the Brisbane Lions, opposition coaches would generally focus most of their attention – at least in a defensive match-up sense – to stopping Jonathan Brown.

It was task easier said than done, with Brown one of genuine monsters of the competition, who had the ability to win a game almost off his own boot.

But with the retired champion no longer part of the Lions’ line-up, the focus seems to have since shifted to the three smallest players on the Club’s list – Josh Green, Lewy Taylor, and Dayne Zorko.

The trio, who have become collectively known as the ‘Mozzie Squad’, now pose arguably the greatest threat for opposition teams.

Their importance to the Lions’ side hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Richmond Senior Coach Damien Hardwick already hard at work trying to find suitable match-ups for this Saturday afternoon’s match at the MCG.

“Brisbane have been playing some pretty good footy, their win last week against North Melbourne was outstanding,” Hardwick told the media on Thursday.

“Their small brigade up forward is really dangerous in (Josh) Green, (Dayne) Zorko and Lewy Taylor, so we have to make sure we’re on our toes and make sure we deny them the scoring opportunities they got last week.”

The Tigers’ task of stopping the trio became a little more difficult earlier this week when small defender Steven Morris copped a one-match suspension from the AFL Match Review Panel.

Morris would have almost certainly shadowed one of the Mozzie Squad.

“Obviously, it would be better if Steve was available,” Hardwick said.

“Matt Dea will play on one of those guys and we’ve got players who are certainly capable of covering them. But they have been in outstanding form, between them they have kicked 16 goals over the last four games.”

The Tigers only had to contend with two of the Lions’ small forwards during their last meeting back in Round 5 at the Gabba, with Josh Green sidelined with a hamstring strain.

But Richmond will be pleased to see the back of Brown, who was the Lions’ best player on that night in his 250th match, collecting 16 disposals, taking nine marks, and booting four of the side’s nine goals.