Richmond's injury woes continued on Saturday as veteran midfielder Dion Prestia limped off the field just minutes into the clash against West Coast with a calf injury. The 33-year-old pulled up sore off the ball and was immediately ruled out of the match, adding to the Tigers' already extensive injury list.
Prestia becomes the 17th player on Richmond's injury list, following a week that saw boom youngster Sam Lalor sustain a partial Achilles injury at training. The club confirmed Prestia's history with soft-tissue injuries suggests a lengthy stint on the sidelines is likely.
Of the injured players, only Tim Taranto is a chance of returning next week as he recovers from concussion. Richmond's fitness boss Ben Serpell said Taranto has progressed well through concussion protocols and needs to pass one more session to be named to face the Eagles.
Meanwhile, Josh Gibcus has been diagnosed with an ACL sprain after leaving the VFL game over the weekend with a knee concern. Serpell described it as an uncommon injury and said the club will consult multiple surgeons before deciding on a course of action. Josh Smillie also suffered a fresh tear of his quad injury, shifting him back to a TBC timeline.
Other players on Richmond's lengthy injury list include Judson Clarke (ACL), Rhyan Mansell and Tom Sims (foot), Taj Hotton (hip), Kaleb Smith (groin), Maurice Rioli and Toby Nankervis (hamstring), Jasper Alger (knee), Harry Armstrong (foot), Zane Peucker (ankle), Hugo Ralphsmith (MCL), Sam Banks (collarbone), and Sam Lalor (Achilles).
