Selection cloud still hanging over big TigerRyan Davidson
afl.com.au
May 18, 2018TOBY Nankervis is no certainty to face West Coast in Perth on Sunday, with Richmond coach Damien Hardwick conceding the premiership ruckman will need to test a wrist concern at training.
The 23-year-old joined his teammates in a light session at a wet Punt Road Oval on Friday and didn’t appear to be restricted by the injury picked up in last week's win over North Melbourne.
With the Tigers set fly to Perth on Saturday, back-up ruckman Ivan Soldo will be on standby if Nankervis doesn't come up.
"(Toby has) got to get through training today, we're reasonably confident at this stage, but that's not to say that doesn’t change by the end of training," Hardwick said before the session on Friday.
"We'll make a pretty early call on that because he's such an important player for us, and if it takes a week (to heal), it takes a week. If he plays, he plays.
"We'll make a call after training today."
With the prospect of coming up against a fresh Nic Naitanui who had a week off through suspension, Hardwick was confident the 22-year-old would be a handful for the Eagles star.
Soldo played seven games in 2017 after debuting early in the season. He was taken with pick 68 in the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
"Have you seen Soldo play in the VFL? He's pretty good," Hardwick said.
"We're really pleased with his progression as a player and he's 205cm, he's a big boy and he covers the ground really well, so we're really excited about what he has to offer.
"He's ready to play AFL footy, there's no doubt about that, we've just got the added problem that we've got one of the best rucks in the AFL in Toby Nankervis.
"Look, if Toby doesn't play we're more than happy to take Soldo over there because he'll give them a good run for their money."
Premiership star Brandon Ellis is also a chance to make the trip to Perth after impressing in the VFL in recent weeks and has been named on an extended interchange.
Hardwick said the defensive playmaker's attitude had been impressive since he was dropped after the round five win over Melbourne.
"He played some really good footy down below, but he was really stiff to go out (of the side) in the first place," Hardwick said.
"We're pretty fortunate the majority of our list is up and going and free to play, but with his run, his creativity down back, he's just getting back playing to his strengths and that’s noticeable in the last couple of weeks.
"The one thing about Brandon, he's prepared to serve his time and get back to his best, and we think he's close to that at the moment.
Richmond will take up to two travelling emergencies on their flight to Perth on Saturday.
Sources:AFL website.West Australian newspaper website
