Tigers fit and ready to fireJune 11, 2013 - 8:29AM
Emma Quayle
Football writer with The Age
Richmond will resume from its mid-season bye within reach of its first September since 2001 and with an almost full squad to plan the second half of its season around.
While first-choice pair Dylan Grimes and Shane Tuck are still more than a month away, Brandon Ellis, Reece Conca and Shane Edwards are all expected to be available to play against Adelaide on Sunday.
Edwards consulted a specialist last week, after a severe poke in the eye saw him subbed out of the Tigers’ round 10 win over West Coast, but he has been cleared of any significant damage.
Conca has been missing from the Tigers’ line-up since round five because of a foot injury, but the onballer played for Coburg last week and has felt good since.
The Richmond players were all given their bye weekend off, with Coburg also scheduled for a break, and after a light run on Monday will train again Tuesday.
Ellis has had three weeks to recover from his hamstring strain, which saw him ruled out of Richmond’s round nine side having compiled 39 possessions against Melbourne the week before in the best game of his short career.
Football manager Dan Richardson said that while the 19-year-old needed to train this week before being cleared to play, he was a strong chance to come back into the side.
"He’s missed two weeks now plus the bye, and it was a minor strain. We think he should be available," Richardson said.
"Conca got through last week fine, he played for Coburg, got through unscathed and pulled up well, so there’s no reason he won’t play again this week.
"Shane Edwards was a concern, with his eye. He needed to see a specialist because it was a pretty severe scratch, but I think he’ll be fine. Ricky Petterd’s the other one. He’s had a calf but he should be up for selection this week too."
Collingwood’s win over Melbourne, and the Eagles’ defeat of St Kilda, tipped the Tigers out of the eight on percentage, having played one fewer match than the seventh and eighth placed Carlton and West Coast.
Richmond faces the Crows, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and North Melbourne in the next month, when both Grimes (foot) and Tuck (shoulder) are expected to start pushing for their own return.
Just two Tigers, recruit Chris Knights (knee) and first-year rookie Cadeyn Williams (shoulder), have been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
"We’ve been lucky in that we’ve had a few interruptions, but nothing too drastic," said Richardson. "With the guys we have coming back in we’re getting back to having a pretty full list, so we hope things stay that way."
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http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/tigers-fit-and-ready-to-fire-20130611-2o0tl.html#ixzz2VrvFZx5U
