It is being reported. Surprised no one has posted it.
Astbury has had a flu-like virus and has been quarantined from the rest of the group.
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RICHMOND insists David Astbury will be fit to face Collingwood in Friday night’s blockbuster preliminary against Collingwood, despite the gun key defender battling a flu-like virus throughout this week.
As always, Richmond emergency players are on standby for a late preliminary final call-up with doubt surrounding Astbury’s availability for the clash at the MCG.
Astbury was quarantined from his teammates during the Tigers’ Thursday training session. He was a notable absentee and was sent home early by the club’s doctor as a precaution.
The Tigers said Astbury had picked up a cold during the week but insisted he’d be right for Friday night’s clash.
However Astbury will be given all of Friday to confirm whether he’ll be fine to face the Magpies.
Should Astbury play, he’s likely to get the match-up on Collingwood big man Mason Cox.
The Tigers named Ryan Garthwaite, Ivan Soldo, Brandon Ellis and Sam Lloyd as emergencies for Friday night’s clash.
If Astbury doesn’t play, tall defender Garthwaite would be the like-for-like replacement.
However considering the Magpies’ dynamic forward line, Alex Rance could instead play on Cox and try to run off the 211cm Pie to expose him, therefore opening the door for Brandon Ellis to make a return.
Ellis was dropped for the Tigers’ qualifying final against Hawthorn and was left out of the Tigers’ best 22 for Friday night’s clash.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-finals-2018-teams-richmond-v-collingwood-doubt-over-david-astbury-after-contracting-illness/news-story/a4290b2baf91823540b05cfc76ea1cc0
