Injury scare for Tigerafl.com.au
2:50 PM Fri 10 Feb, 2012RICHMOND star Brett Deledio hobbled off Whitten Oval on Friday with tightness in his back and hamstring, leaving the field early in the Tigers' intra-club hit-out.
Scans will determine the nature of the injury, but Richmond assistant coach Ross Smith said he expected it to be at the lower end of the scale.
"He tightened up in the back ... it's hard to know until we scan it, but he ran off the ground, so we don't think it's anything major at this stage," Smith said.
"It's a first real intra-club hit-out, so it's better to be precautionary at this stage, because there's still six or seven weeks before the start of the season."
The squad played three periods in its first major pre-season practice game, a week out from the Tigers' first NAB Cup matches.
"I thought it was a really good hit-out for the boys," Smith said.
"They played with really good spirit.
"I think we were a bit more competitive in the ruck. We need to do a lot more work in the clearance area of the game, so that was really pleasing."
Most of the Club's star players were in action, with only Kel Moore, David Astbury and Ben Griffiths - all recovering from injury - missing the game.
Jack Riewoldt moved freely up forward while Jack Dyer Medallist Trent Cotchin continued his excellent 2011 form in the midfield.
Newcomers Brandon Ellis and Steve Morris impressed off half-back.
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