Richmond is set to call in the reinforcements following Wednesday's news that all Victorian sides would be based interstate for the remainder of the home and away season due, with Dion Prestia and Toby Nankervis set to fly to Queensland on Friday.

The two premiership stars are both dealing with syndesmosis injuries, but will complete their rehabilitation processes in the Queensland hub to ensure they have served their COVID-19 quarantine period once they sufficiently recover.

However, Shane Edwards and Bachar Houli – who have remained in Victoria for family reasons – as well as several other younger squad members, will remain away from the side as per the club's initial plan.

07:23

Hardwick previews North Melbourne

Damien Hardwick addresses the media ahead of the Round 7 clash against North Melbourne.

"We've decided to leave those other seven players back home," coach Damien Hardwick said on Thursday.

"Obviously, the personal situations of Shane Edwards and Bachar Houli … they're not available to come up at this stage. We'd prefer to get some training into those guys, with the possibility of coming up at a later date.

"We'll also get some terrific coaching and training into those younger players that we've left behind. We're going to stick with that strategy, but that will change as the circumstances do change.

"But, at the moment, we've got 35 players up here and we'll continue to do that while having that hub back in Melbourne where we'll invest in the seven players we've left behind."

Richmond will still be without captain Trent Cotchin (hamstring) and key defender David Astbury (knee) for this week's clash with North Melbourne, with the Tigers set to take a cautious approach to their returns due to the condensed fixture that is awaiting teams.

Hardwick said the Tigers were making the most of hub life.

"We're very fortunate that the Queensland government have opened their borders to us...we're very fortunate to have the game still going from our viewpoint, to give the people in the wider community something to look forward to," he said.

"It's amazing, the power of sport to bring the community together, especially in a period such as a lockdown."