Tigers regain EdwardsAnna Harrington
AAP
Thu, 3 June 2021 12:08PMRichmond will welcome back triple-premiership gun Shane Edwards for their AFL clash with Essendon but face a big decision on their ruck-forward balance.
Edwards missed the past three games with an ankle injury but coach Damien Hardwick confirmed he will travel from Sydney to Perth for Saturday's Dreamtime game, which will be held at Optus Stadium for the first time amid Melbourne's coronavirus outbreak.
That news is counterbalanced by losing Toby Nankervis for several weeks after the triple-premiership ruckman suffered a PCL strain against Adelaide.
Ivan Soldo is out for the season as he recovers from an ACL injury - meaning the Tigers will need to turn to pinch-hitters or hand a debut to first-year ruck Samson Ryan.
Callum Coleman-Jones can play in the ruck but booted four goals against Adelaide and will be needed in attack amid Tom Lynch's absence.
Mabior Chol kicked two goals and had nine hitouts against the Crows - his first game of the season - and could play more ruck minutes, while Marlion Pickett will return from suspension and has done some pinch-hitting ruck work.
"We've got a couple of options - it's whether we go smaller in the ruck," Hardwick said.
"We're really excited by a young tall that we've got in Samson Ryan that will maybe get an opportunity as well."
https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-regain-edwards-ponder-ruck-dilemma-c-3004002