Premiership pair Shaun Grigg and Brandon Ellis have been recalled into Richmond’s squad for Sunday’s big Round 9 clash with West Coast at Optus Stadium.
Grigg has been sidelined since Richmond’s Round 6 victory over Collingwood with a hamstring injury, while Ellis has spent the past few weeks in the VFL after being dropped from the senior side following the Round 5 win against Melbourne.
Also coming into the Tigers’ 26-man squad for Sunday’s match are developing ruckman Ivan Soldo and talented, young small forward Tyson Stengle.
Get all the game day information for Sunday afternoon's match against West Coast
Soldo, 22, played seven senior games in Richmond’s 2017 premiership year and he’s displayed strong form at VFL level this season.
The Tigers’ VFL coach Craig McRae was full of praise for Soldo’s performance against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium last Sunday.
“Ivan Soldo played against (Braydon) Preuss, which was a really good battle. Two of the best ruckmen in the competition, going head-to-head, and we thought that Ivan won that battle . . . He’s looking really big and strong and really looking like an AFL player,” McRae said.
See West Coast's squad for Sunday afternoon's Round 9 clash at Optus Stadium
Stengle, 19, made two senior appearances with Richmond last season, and he’s also displayed fine form in the VFL this year.
“Tyson Stengle’s one of our consistent and best players . . . he’s really looking for an AFL opportunity. He kicked another three goals (v North Melbourne last Sunday), and another week where he hasn’t been tackled. He hasn’t been tackled in two years now,” McRae said.
The Round 9 Richmond line-up will be finalised tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 5pm.