Trent Cotchin will return from a knee injury to take on Melbourne at the MCG by: Matt Windley •From: Herald Sun
•May 16, 2013 1:50PM
Trent Cotchin will be back for Sunday's clash with Melbourne at the MCG.
Cotchin missed the win over Port Adelaide last weekend with a knee complaint but joined teammates for training at Punt Road this afternoon.
He had no strapping on his knee and appeared to move freely.
Key forward Tyrone Vickery is also in line for a recall against the Dees after missing last week with concussion.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said he would not fall in to the trap of resting players against the lowly Dees.
"Both those two guys are available to play," Hardwick said.
"And if they're available to play they'll be playing. Hawthorn and Geelong, they're in different ballparks to us, we're certainly nowhere near the capability of those sides yet (to be able to rest players).
"So we've just got to take every game on its merits, get every four points we can and we'll worry about that when we're at the other end of the ladder."
Hardwick said there was no risk of further damage to Cotchin's knee this week.
"He has his rest last week," Hardwick said.
"Trent's a tough individual. If we had our time again we probably wouldn't have played him (against Geelong in Round 6).
"But he's well and truly ready to go this week."
Hardwick conceded Ivan Maric was no certainty to play.
The ruckman battles manfully through the pain of an ankle injury last week.
But given Orren Stephenson played so well last week and Vickery is set to return Maric may be afforded the chance to recuperate if need be.
"It was enormous for him to play last week considering we were down two rucks," Hardwick said.
"So we were really pleased that he got up and played. Did he play to the best of his ability? Probably not.
"So obviously with selection this afternoon we've got to make that decision. Three doesn't go in to two."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/trent-cotchin-will-return-from-a-knee-injury-to-take-on-melbourne-at-the-mcg/story-fni5f9jb-1226644523167