Aaron Edwards, Orren Stephenson in line for selection at Richmond
FORMER Geelong ruckman Orren Stephenson and ex-North Melbourne forward Aaron Edwards could be vying to make their Richmond debuts in Saturday's AFL match against Port Adelaide.
Tigers ruck duo Ivan Maric and Tyrone Vickery both copped injuries early in the second half of last night's loss to Geelong.
Maric returned to the field after rolling an ankle but was clearly inhibited, while Vickery was left concussed and bleeding by a head clash and did not return.
"He (Vickery) was pretty dazed last night. He had a couple of stitches in his forehead," captain Trent Cotchin told Channel 7's AFL Game Day today.
"He had blood there leaking from his head and he was in a world of pain.
"He's a very tough character and hopefully he'll be able to get up for next week's game.
"Obviously Ivvy (Maric) was a little bit sore in the third quarter as well."
Cotchin said if one or both big men were unable to face the Power, Stephenson, rookie-drafted as a back-up ruckman, and Edwards, traded to the Tigers, would be in contention.
"He's been quite impressive in the Coburg (VFL) squad," Cotchin said of Edwards.
"The way he leads up to the footy with intent is fantastic and he's also worked on his defensive pressure in the forward line.
"Whether or not it's him or the big O (Stephenson), who's been playing some fantastic footy down at Coburg as well."
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Edwards took 16 marks in Coburg's win against Essendon's VFL side yesterday and kicked two goals, taking his tally to 14 in the past three weeks.
Midfielders Shane Tuck (25 disposals) and Nathan Foley (24) will also be contention for a senior call-up.
Cotchin said his management was in talks with the Tigers about a new contract.
"There's a number of our players out of contract this season – Jack and Dusty, just to name a couple.
"It's just something that will get done in the future, whether or not it's in the next couple of weeks or in the next three months.
"It's not something I'm stressing about, to be totally honest.
"The powers that be will make that decision at the appropriate time."
And the Tigers skipper said he was below his best against the Cats, battling both a knee complaint sustained against Fremantle in the previous round and a cold.
"There's no excuses though, if you put your hand up to play you've got to perform your role for the side and I didn't," he said.
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