Richmond is grappling with a significant injury crisis, with their unavailability list potentially reaching 20 players. The Tigers have encountered more setbacks, as Rhyan Mansell (concussion) is confirmed out for Dreamtime at the ‘G, and Sam Naismith tore his ACL in the VFL, necessitating his fourth knee reconstruction.
The team is now left with only one fit ruck, captain Toby Nankervis. Key forward Mykelti Lefau, who was subbed out, has been cleared of a broken jaw, but his fitness for the game remains uncertain. Jacob Bauer, who has struggled with a hamstring injury this year, was a late withdrawal from the VFL side due to a quad issue.
Teams must name a squad of 26 players (23 and three emergencies), and by the end of the VFL game, only Jacob Koschitzke, Samson Ryan, and Kaleb Smith – emergencies for the Brisbane defeat – remained available. If the Tigers cannot find three fit emergencies, they may have to name injured players to meet the minimum squad requirements.
Richmond hopes to regain Liam Baker (corked leg) and Dylan Grimes (back), both sidelined for two weeks. The official injury list will be released on Tuesday. Last week, concussed pair Sam Banks and James Trezise were expected to miss only one match, while Seth Campbell (knee bone bruising) and Jack Graham (hamstring) have an outside chance to face the Bombers.
Richmond has used 39 players this year, the most of any side. The only Tigers yet to play are long-term injured Liam Fawcett and Mate Colina (back), Bauer (mostly sidelined this season), second-year Kaleb Smith, and category B rookie Oliver Hayes-Brown, who is currently playing in the VAFA, a level below the VFL.
**RICHMOND UNAVAILABILITY**
Approximate timelines, to be officially confirmed on Tuesday
– Mykelti Lefau (jaw), TBC
– Jacob Bauer (quad), TBC
– Sam Naismith (suspected ACL), season
– Rhyan Mansell (concussion), TBC
– Liam Baker (corked leg), test
– Dylan Grimes (back), test
– James Trezise (concussion), test
– Sam Banks (concussion), test
– Seth Campbell (knee), 1 week
– Jack Graham (hamstring), 1 week
– Jacob Hopper (hamstring), 1-2 weeks
– Tim Taranto (wrist), 2-3 weeks
– Tom Lynch (hamstring), 3-5 weeks
– Jack Ross (foot), 5-7 weeks
– Maurice Rioli jnr (ankle), 7-9 weeks
– Liam Fawcett (back), TBC/long-term
– Mate Colina (back), TBC/long-term
– Josh Gibcus (ACL), season
– Judson Clarke (ACL), season
– Oliver Hayes-Brown, playing VAFA
