Jackson set to return for TigersNathan Schmook
afl.com.au
March 31, 2014 6:51 PMRICHMOND club champion Dan Jackson is set to return for Saturday's clash against the Western Bulldogs after proving his fitness in consecutive games with the Tigers' VFL team.
Having missed Richmond's first two matches, Jackson should return against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday to likely play a run-with role on star midfielder Ryan Griffen.
Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said the 27-year-old had pulled up well after winning 15 possessions in the VFL clash against Essendon.
"He got through and looked like he was running hard … he did some really good things," Richardson told AFL.com.au.
"As long as the week unfolds for him OK from a training perspective, then selection will be later in the week and a final decision will be made from there.
"He was running hard in the last quarter and pretty much played a full game."
Ruckman Ivan Maric remains up to three weeks away from playing, but the 28-year-old is close to returning to full training as he works his way back from ankle surgery.
"He's probably not too far off starting some running, which then should lead into full training maybe towards the end of next week," Richardson said.
"It'll start to build up from there.
"He's not far off from starting some more straight line running on grass. He's been running on the AlterG (anti-gravity) treadmill, which just lowers the weight-bearing impact.
"He's going well on that and pulling up fine."
While Maric progresses, the Tigers will manage injuries to Aaron Edwards (knee), Chris Knights (knee), Ben Lennon (ankle) and Liam McBean (ankle), who were all struck down in the VFL clash.
Lennon and McBean will face fitness tests this week, while Edwards is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.
Knights, who missed the majority of the 2013 season because of a serious knee injury, suffered knee soreness and will also be assessed this week.
Richmond doesn't have any long-term injuries, meaning rookie Anthony Miles, who has been a standout in the VFL for consecutive weeks, is unable to be elevated to the senior list.
Former Port Adelaide midfielder Matt Thomas and ruckman Orren Stephenson were the Tigers nominated rookies, with Thomas repaying the club's faith in the opening two rounds.
"He's playing the role we brought him in for … he's an inside strong body, he's hard at it and gets high tackle numbers, which is great," Richardson said.
"So far he's putting his best foot forward and his first two games have been really solid for us."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-03-31/jackson-likely-for-dogs
