Richmond's top ruckman Ivan Maric looks like joining vice-captain Brett Deledio on the sidelines for their season opener against Carlton.Source: AAP/ SBS
21 Mar 2016 - 10:16 PM Richmond's No.1 ruckman Ivan Maric is the latest Tigers star set to miss their AFL opener because of injury.
Teammate Jack Riewoldt confirmed on Monday night that Maric is in serious doubt for the Easter Thursday match against Carlton because of a back problem.
Earlier on Monday, vice-captain Brett Deledio was ruled out with a tight quad muscle.
Shaun Grigg (thumb) is also an unlikely starter, while Chris Yarran (foot surgery) and Reece Conca (hamstring) are out of action for several weeks.
"Ivan has a little bit of a sore back," Riewoldt told 3AW.
"I know at the moment he's given his all to really give himself every chance of playing on Thursday night.
"(But) we're not going to go into round one with any players who are unprepared or under any injury cloud.
"As much as we'd love to Ivan ... it's a marathon, not a sprint, and we won't be risking any players in round one, just because it's round one and the start of the season."
Maric's absence would leave Ty Vickery, Ben Griffiths and former Carlton ruckman Shaun Hampson as the candidates to ruck against Blues star Matthew Kreuzer.
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/03/21/tigers-could-lose-maric-afl-opener
