TonyK
CibbuanoTigers to face Eagles without Richo
July 10th 2008 04:40
RICHMOND will be without veteran Matthew Richardson and key defender Will Thursfield for Sunday's clash against West Coast at Subiaco Oval.
Tigers' assistant coach Brian Royal said the key pair, who are both battling hamstring injuries failed to train at Richmond's final training session at Punt Road on Thursday.
"Matty couldn't get up to train today so we won't be selecting him in the 22," Royal said.
"He has been in fantastic form this year Matty but it allows another younger player to come into the side and we will still structure our side fairly similar."
Royal said Richardson had been battling knee and hamstring problems for weeks.
"I think it's a combination," he said.
"Certainly the knee has caused him trouble since the All Star game (in May) and obviously the hamstring has been put under a bit of stress because of that."
The absence of Richardson, who is currently in career-best form means more responsibility will be heaped on promising youngsters Mitch Morton, Jack Riewoldt and Cleve Hughes.
That trio has kicked 19 goals between them in the past two matches and Royal said they were more than capable of stepping up in the absence of Richardson.
"They have already started carrying some of the load up forward and Matty has played the majority of the past six to eight weeks through the middle of the ground anyway," Royal said.
Royal said Thursfield, who has not played since round 11 because of a nagging hamstring injury should return for next week's clash against Essendon at the MCG.
"Will is still probably a week away recovering from a hamstring injury," Royal said.
"I guess with the younger guys you want to be 100 percent sure and we always err on the side of caution and give them another week and that is what we are doing with Will because with eight weeks to go he can't afford to have a recurrence of the injury."
In some good news for the Tigers, Hughes and hard-running defender Jordan McMahon - the two players that witnessed the shocking tram accident sustained by key defender Graham Polak - have been given the all-clear to play in what is the club's first match since the accident.
But despite the loss of Polak, Richardson and Thursfield - Royal said the Tigers are confident that they can come away with the four premiership points.
"We are going to take a very young side over this week and it's exciting to have a young, quick, exuberant side on the Subiaco ground and our recent record on the road is good having won against Freo earlier this year and Port Adelaide at AAMI (Stadium)."
Tigers' assistant coach Brian Royal said the key pair, who are both battling hamstring injuries failed to train at Richmond's final training session at Punt Road on Thursday.
"Matty couldn't get up to train today so we won't be selecting him in the 22," Royal said.
"He has been in fantastic form this year Matty but it allows another younger player to come into the side and we will still structure our side fairly similar."
Royal said Richardson had been battling knee and hamstring problems for weeks.
"I think it's a combination," he said.
"Certainly the knee has caused him trouble since the All Star game (in May) and obviously the hamstring has been put under a bit of stress because of that."
The absence of Richardson, who is currently in career-best form means more responsibility will be heaped on promising youngsters Mitch Morton, Jack Riewoldt and Cleve Hughes.
That trio has kicked 19 goals between them in the past two matches and Royal said they were more than capable of stepping up in the absence of Richardson.
"They have already started carrying some of the load up forward and Matty has played the majority of the past six to eight weeks through the middle of the ground anyway," Royal said.
Royal said Thursfield, who has not played since round 11 because of a nagging hamstring injury should return for next week's clash against Essendon at the MCG.
"Will is still probably a week away recovering from a hamstring injury," Royal said.
"I guess with the younger guys you want to be 100 percent sure and we always err on the side of caution and give them another week and that is what we are doing with Will because with eight weeks to go he can't afford to have a recurrence of the injury."
In some good news for the Tigers, Hughes and hard-running defender Jordan McMahon - the two players that witnessed the shocking tram accident sustained by key defender Graham Polak - have been given the all-clear to play in what is the club's first match since the accident.
But despite the loss of Polak, Richardson and Thursfield - Royal said the Tigers are confident that they can come away with the four premiership points.
"We are going to take a very young side over this week and it's exciting to have a young, quick, exuberant side on the Subiaco ground and our recent record on the road is good having won against Freo earlier this year and Port Adelaide at AAMI (Stadium)."
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