Brett Deledio injury fears dismissed by Richmond, Shaun Grigg and Shane Edwards set to play Round 1SAM EDMUND
Herald Sun
March 20, 2016 4:00pmRICHMOND is adamant Brett Deledio will take on Carlton, denying he is battling a fresh injury only four days out from the season-opening blockbuster.
Deledio ran laps away from the main group at training on Sunday before consulting club officials and leaving the track early. He didn’t kick the ball once.
It came after Deledio was said to have left training early on Thursday, sparking rumours he’d suffered another soft tissue setback.
The influential vice-captain has battled persistent achilles and calf problems and his preparation for the 2016 season has been restricted to a half in Richmond’s last NAB Challenge game.
But the Tigers insisted their highly-decorated utility was simply being managed through the pre-season, in line with the club’s cautious approach in recent seasons.
But the doubts over Deledio come as the Tigers close in on confirming two shock inclusions for the Blues clash, with injured pair Shaun Grigg and Shane Edwards rapidly firming as chances to play.
Grigg has surprised the club after making a quick recovery from a broken thumb that was initially expected to sideline him until Round 2 or Round 3.
The midfielder, who had a plate inserted in his left thumb, completed the full session on Sunday wearing a glove on his left hand.
Edwards was cleared of major damage to the left shoulder injury suffered against Port Adelaide.
Despite “severe bruising” and “nerve swelling” he also got through training and appears set to go.
Speaking before training, defender Alex Rance said he expected Edwards to run out with him on Thursday.
“He ran a few laps the other day and he seems to be moving OK,” Rance said.
“The scans showed it was a bit better than we expected so fingers crossed he’ll be right to go.”
The defender said the spate of injuries suffered in the NAB 3 game against Port Adelaide was nothing to panic about.
Reece Conca (hamstring), cut down with Edwards and Grigg in the same match, will miss at least two months.
It was later revealed that recruit Chris Yarran would be out for six weeks with a plantar fascia injury.
“It was a bit of a perfect storm in a way, wasn’t it?” Rance said of the Power game.
“But we believe in the depth we’ve got at the club. Yeah, we’ve got a few injuries, but most clubs have injuries too and it’s just something you’ve got to cope with throughout the whole season. It’s nothing that’s worrying us too much.”
Rance, coming off a career-best year that saw him win the Tigers’ best and fairest and earn another All-Australian selection, said he wasn’t getting carried away.
“I can always improve, just ask ‘Dimma’ (coach Damien Hardwick),” he said.
“Especially (my) decision-making. It’s always been a knock on my game since my early days that I’d rush. So it’s about being calm and composed and also making others around me better.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/brett-deledio-injury-fears-dismissed-by-richmond-shaun-grigg-and-shane-edwards-set-to-play-round-1/news-story/0064ba87ec1594a2abdd0dd1f3802471
