Richmond star Brett Deledio suffered tightness in his back/hamstring, leaving the field early in the Tigers’ intra-club hitout today at Whitten Oval.
 
Scans will determine the nature of the injury, but Richmond assistant coach Ross Smith said he expected it to be at the lower end of the scale.

See all the best pictures from the game here
 
“He tightened up in the back...it’s hard to know until we scan it, but he ran off the ground, so we don’t think it’s anything major at this stage,” Smith said.
 
“It’s a first real intra club hitout, so it’s better to be precautionary at this stage, because there’s still six or seven weeks before the start of the season.”
 
The squad played three periods in its first major pre-season hitout, a week out from the first match of the NAB Cup.

“I thought it was a really good hitout for the boys.  They played with really good spirit,” Smith said.
 
“I think we were a bit more competitive in the ruck.  We need to do a lot more work in the clearance area of the game, so that was really pleasing.”
 
Most of the Club’s star players were in action, with only Kel Moore, David Astbury and Ben Griffiths (all returning from injuries) missing the game.
 
Jack Riewoldt moved freely up forward, Jack Dyer Medallist Trent Cotchin continued his excellent 2011 form in the midfield, and newcomers Brandon Ellis and Steve Morris impressed off half back.
 
The Tigers play North Melbourne and Hawthorn in the first round of the pre season competition, starting at 7.45pm on Friday, February 17. Buy your tickets here.