Richmond defenders Josh Gibcus and Jayden Short will return from injury in Sunday's VFL clash with Geelong, as part of four changes to the side. 

It will be Gibcus' first game in more than 15 months, as the 2021 pick No.9 has endured a horror run since his debut season, managing only two games since the end of 2022 due to long-term injuries.

Gibcus hasn't played since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Carlton in round one last year, in just his second game back from a complex hamstring injury.

The 22-year-old required secondary knee surgery last year and didn't run for nine months until January this year, due to complications with his rehabilitation.

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After heading to internationally renowned sports medicine practice Aspetar in Doha at the end of 2023 to treat the hamstring injury that wiped out his second season, Gibcus returned to Qatar last off-season to deal with his knee.

Now, after a gradual build over the past few months, the Ballarat product is ready to play managed minutes across three quarters in the VFL.

Gibcus won Richmond's best first-year player award in 2022 when he played 18 games and the Club remains confident he can fulfil his potential, despite an arduous journey back.

Short has been battling a calf injury throughout the season, having not played since the Round 9 defeat to Hawthorn in early May. Now fully recovered, the dual premiership Tiger is set to bolster Jake Batchelor's squad for Sunday's clash.

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Steely Green has been named after a long stint in the AFL side, and Joel Garner also returns.

Out of the side comes Tom Sims and Maurice Rioli, with the duo being elevated to the AFL team this weekend, while Tom McKenzie is out with a thumb injury and Nick Guiney has been omitted.

The first bounce at GMHBA Stadium is set for 12:05pm this Sunday.

All matches in the 2025 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App. 

To follow match updates, stay tuned to Richmond VFL on X, and Instagram.

Round 15, Richmond VFL v Geelong, Sunday, July 6, 12:05pm AEST, GMHBA Stadium.

Backs

Tylar Young

45

Jacob Koschitzke

20

Josh Gibcus

18

Half-Backs

Kaleb Smith

49

James Trezise

36

Jayden Short

15

Centre

Liam George

67

Harry Scott

74

Mutaz El Nour

57

Half-Forwards

Massimo Raso

77

Taj Hotton

24

Steely Green

48

Forwards

Sam Flockart

66

Jacob Bauer

43

Joel Garner

53

Followers

Oliver Hayes-Brown

47

Lachlan Street

55

Lachlan Wilson 

56

Interchange

Nick Collier 

63

Sam Toner

68

Austin Johnson

51

 

Mohammed Yassine

52

Seth Macdonald

69

 

 

EMG

Phillip Moimoi

58

Zane Greenham

82

Nick Guiney  62

 

Tom Ferguson 

73

O'neill Moncrieff

61