Richmond has made two changes for Sunday’s elimination final against North Melbourne at the MCG, with talented midfielder Reece Conca and valuable tall forward Ben Griffiths both returning from injury.
Conca has overcome the hamstring trouble which had restricted him to just two senior games during the home-and-away season.
“He’s probably had three weeks of training now on the track and been going flat out,” said Richmond assistant coach Brendon Lade.
WATCH: The Tigers train at the ME Centre on Thursday
“It’s been really positive for him to get through all those sessions . . .
“He adds that zip around the contest and he generally uses the ball very well.”
Griffiths has made a quicker recovery than expected after damaging a finger tendon in the Round 17 loss to Fremantle.
“Ben trained Tuesday and got through and we thought he might be a chance. He then trained really well on Thursday and did everything asked of him,” Lade said.
“He played really well against North down in Hobart, Round 6, and to have another target down forward is good for us.”
Conca and Griffiths replace Sam Lloyd and Ben Lennon, who have both been omitted.
The Tigers’ three emergencies for the elimination final are Lloyd, Lennon and Steven Morris.
WATCH: the finale of Rumble in the Jungle: Hungry Hungry Hippos
Elimination Final Richmond team
B: Newman, Batchelor, Rance
HB: Houli, Vlastuin, Chaplin
C: B. Ellis, Cotchin, McIntosh
HF: Martin, Griffiths, Edwards
F: Riewoldt, Deledio, Vickery
R: Maric, Grigg, Hunt
IC: Grimes, Miles, Conca, Lambert
In: Griffiths, Conca
Out: Lloyd (omitted), Lennon (omitted)
