Richmond must decide whether to rush back best-and-fairest winner Daniel Jackson Jon Ralph
Herald Sun
March 23, 2014 7:22PMRICHMOND must decide this week whether to rush back reigning Jack Dyer Medallist Daniel Jackson against Carlton after just one pre-season hit-out.
Jackson won 13 possessions in three quarters on Friday night in the club’s VFL game after returning from groin and hamstring soreness.
But he would need to play off a six-day break, a tough ask given a pre-season held back by persistent soft-tissue concerns.
Midfielder Nathan Foley could muster only a dozen possessions as he strives to play against the Blues after being a controversial omission from the finals defeat last year.
The Tigers led by 33 points early in the third term before being run down through the heroics of Chris Judd, Nick Duigan, Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy.
The Tigers and Blues will this year be unable to call on a number of reinforcements as they strive to avoid a 0-2 start to the season.
Small forward Chris Knights was excellent at VFL level with 24 touches, and could be considered after a number of games back from what Damien Hardwick has described as a “car crash” of a knee injury.
The Blues will also have to dig themselves out of their Round 1 hole without former captain Judd, who lit up the MCG in the third-quarter of last year’s blockbuster final.
He is considered likely to play in Round 3 but isn’t yet ready after achilles surgery.
Likewise, Andrew Carrazzo (calf) and ex-Brisbane recruit Sam Docherty (knee) are another week away.
The Blues will need to replace defender Andrew Walker, suspended for slinging Port Adelaide’s Angus Monfries into the Etihad Stadium fence.
Blues football manager Andrew Mackay said last week Judd was still a week away, but Dennis Armfield (knee) could face a fitness test.
“He’s (Judd’s) running now and will be training late this week or early next week, so we’re confident he will be ready for the match against Essendon.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-must-decide-whether-to-rush-back-bestandfairest-winner-daniel-jackson/story-fni5f9jc-1226862631439