Richmond keeps the door open for Ballarat's AstburyBY Gav McGrath
Ballarat Courier
25 May, 2011 10:18 PMTHE door back into Richmond’s line-up is ajar for David Astbury, with injury striking down another Tiger key defender.
On Tuesday 19-year-old full back Dylan Grimes had surgery at the Epworth Hospital to repair his right hamstring, which he tore in Saturday night’s victory over Essendon.
Richmond conceded on its official website that Grimes would have an extended period on the sidelines while he recovers.
Grimes joins Kelvin Moore (hip) on the long-term injury list at Punt Road.
With Will Thursfield (calf injury) also out for a further two weeks the Tigers have a dearth of tall backmen ahead of their match against Port Adelaide at TIO Stadium in Darwin this Saturday.
Former North Ballarat Rebel Astbury, along with David Gourdis, would be in consideration for a return to the AFL after what was described as a “solid performance” for Coburg in the VFL against Frankston.
“(Astbury had) a solid performance in defence,” Richmond development coach David Newett said in his match report yesterday.
“(He) played to structures, took some good marks, and rebounded well.”
Gourdis kicked one goal in Coburg’s 19-point loss but also played mostly in defence against Frankston’s tall forwards. Astbury, 20, played the first four matches of the season but was dropped after the Tigers’ 71-point defeat at the hands of Collingwood.
Capable of playing both ends of the ground, he has lined up predominantly in defence for Coburg, priming him for a return sooner rather than later.
Fellow former Rebel Matt Dea is expected to return from a leg injury within the next two weeks.
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