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Tiger boost
Richmond could regain the services of up to four players for Sunday’s big Round 17 clash with North Melbourne at the MCG.
Richmond could regain the services of up to four players for Sunday’s big Round 17 clash with North Melbourne at the MCG.
Daniel Jackson and Dustin Martin will return from their two-match suspensions (Match Review Panel-imposed and Club sanction respectively), while No. 1 ruckman Ivan Maric and versatile ‘tall’, Ben Griffiths, who were both late withdrawals from the side that lost to Gold Coast by two points, are rated good chances to play.
“Both guys have presented really well today, which is great,” said Richmond’s Elite Performance Manager Matthew Hornsby.
“We were quite hopeful that, after the weekend, and not playing the game, they would come in today and look pretty good, and that’s the case, which is great.
“We’ll train them Tuesday and see how they cope with that, and again Thursday, and make a decision a bit later in the week on those two guys.”
Captain Chris Newman, who copped a heavy knock in the last quarter of the match against Gold Coast, which forced him to the bench, is also expected to be right to take his place in the team next Sunday.
“He’s fine. After the game, he’d recovered pretty well,” Hornsby said.
“He was obviously fairly groggy for a little bit there, but so far early this week, he looks like he’s recovered quite quickly.
“We expect that he’ll train normally through this week and be assessed by the ‘doc’ later in the week, to be given the all-clear.”
The news, however, is not quite as positive in the short-term for defender Jake Batchelor, who injured his right knee during last Saturday’s game.
“Jake had scans yesterday and, pleasingly, there’s not too much damage there . . . just a bit of bone bruising,” Hornsby said.
“So, he may miss a couple of weeks, but, hopefully, it settles down pretty quickly over this week and we can get a greater read on how many weeks he’ll be missing.”
Richmond has completed its highly anticipated 2024 Telstra AFL Draft hand, with the addition of eight new Tigers and North Melbourne’s future first round pick.
Jasper Alger becomes a Tiger
Richmond has selected Oakleigh Chargers prospect Jasper Alger with pick No. 58 overall, after trading a future fourth round selection.
Sims leaps into Tigerland
Richmond has selected leaping forward Thomas Sims with selection No. 28 overall in the Telstra AFL Draft.