Lively forward Jack Higgins will make his return to football this Sunday, when Richmond faces Collingwood in its opening Marsh Community Series match at Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta.
It will be a remarkable comeback for the 20-year-old, who suffered a brain bleed last July and underwent two rounds of brain surgery before rejoining the playing group in November.
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Fourteen premiership Tigers have been selected in the 26-man team for what will be Richmond’s first official hit-out of 2020.
Richmond will also unveil a new face in draftee Thomson Dow.
Dow, the brother of Carlton player Paddy, was taken by the Tigers with their first selection (No. 21 overall) in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft.
The 18-year-old will get his first taste of senior football after impressing throughout the pre-season with his strong running ability and clean, creative hands.
The Tigers will be without Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards, Tom Lynch and Bachar Houli, who are all playing in Friday night’s State of Origin match.
Richmond’s four emergencies for the clash are Will Martyn, Derek Eggmolese-Smith, Luke English and Ben Miller.
The first bounce at Wangaratta is scheduled for 4.10pm.
Tiger fans are also welcomed to attend an open training session at Norm Minns Oval this Saturday from 3.00pm.
Richmond’s Marsh Series 1 team:
B Noah Balta, Dylan Grimes, David Astbury
HB Sydney Stack, Nick Vlastuin, Jayden Short
C Josh Caddy, Dion Prestia, Liam Baker
HF Daniel Rioli, Kane Lambert, Jason Castagna
F Mabior Chol, Callum Coleman-Jones, Shai Bolton
Foll Ivan Soldo , Jack Ross, Marlion Pickett
I/C Patrick Naish, Jack Higgins, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Thomson Dow, Oleg Markov, Nathan Broad, Jake Aarts, Ryan Garthwaite
Emg Will Martyn, Derek Eggmolese-Smith, Luke English, Ben Miller
