Injury Update 2025

[WilliamPowell]

With Lalor’s hammy, that’s now 3 of our draftees done a hammy, in smilies case 3 times now?, in the first half of the year. That can’t be a coincidence.

I recall Serpell or the club atleast saying they would be on a modified program in the off season, I wonder if that’s still continuing ? I think I also recall Serpell talking about high intensity, short sessions, like sprints ? Repeat efforts etc.

Wonder if that’s had a bad effect on the young boys.

I know I'm in the minority but I think people are readng far too much into it. All CLubs are having issues with soft tissue injuries. Have said it many times the shorter pre-season has alot to with it IMHO

Re our 3 draftees - developing bodies dealing with the rigors of AFL. Lalor was on a modified program when he was first drafted. He's strained the hamstring he severely injured last year in his draft year. So the Club decides to go down to the conservative path (again and correctly I might add) and people are up in arms about it. I see on CH7 news they ran story as Lalor's going to miss up to 6 weeks. Talk about over the top. What would people prefer? they go down the 21 days route and he goes out does it again? Damn if they damn if they don't

Armstrong, freak accident at training. Smilie, yes he's done it 3 times so this time they are concentrating on strengthening the hammy and his entire core strength and low and behold people are not happy. these kids are our future better to take time with these things now and get it right

I do remember a 3 time premiership player having hammy issues at the start of his career

[Hard Roar Tiger]

I have a foot in your camp Wilbur but think club could have rested him on a 5 day break.

[WilliamPowell]

Injury Report: Round 12, 2025

The skipper returns, while two young Tigers face setbacks.

By Richmond Media
3 hrs ago

High Performance Manager Ben Serpell gives his injury update as Richmond prepares to travel to Sydney, where it will take on the GWS Giants this Saturday.

Despite missing out on Friday night’s Dreamtime clash with Essendon, Serpell confirmed Tigers captain Toby Nankervis will be available for selection this week, after being managed by the Club.

“Toby Nankervis has been carrying a knee injury, like many ruckmen,” Serpell said.

“He is a bit of a machine to be honest, but last week we decided to rest him because we had an opportunity to.

“In fact, we had to hold him back from playing, but we think we have managed him quite well and definitely available for selection this week.”

Two young Tigers, Sam Lalor and Thomson Dow, will unfortunately spend time on the sidelines after sustaining injuries in last week’s match.

Dow has suffered a dislocated kneecap, seeing him sidelined for the next six to eight weeks, while number one draft pick Lalor has suffered a hamstring injury, seeing him miss the next four to six weeks.

Despite the added injuries, Serpell took confidence in the returns of Dion Prestia and Tylar Young, who competed in the side's VFL match on Saturday night against Essendon.

“They both did really well,” Serpell said.

“Dion had a smile on his face and enjoyed his time out there, and Tylar had a really big impact from what I understand, so a great return to play from both of them.”

Tom Lynch: Concussion, Test

“Lynchy has to get through the last couple of stages of his concussion protocol,” Serpell said.

“That involves a bit of contact at training today and then a full contact session later in the week.

“If he gets through that symptom-free, then he will be available for selection this weekend against GWS.”

Mate Colina: Knee, Test

“I’m glad to say that Mate is expected to be available this week, but again, we just got to get through the main training session during the week,” Serpell said.

“If he gets through that symptom-free then he will be available for selection.”

Jayden Short: Calf, 1-2 weeks

“Sadly, Shorty’s calf injury isn’t progressing as well as we would have liked,” Serpell said.

“As we said last week, we are going to look after our players, and it will probably be another week before we can give an indication of where he is coming back to.

“In addition to his calf injury, we have to make sure he is conditioned for the game, so probably another week or two before we see him.”

Sam Lalor: Hamstring, 4-6 weeks

“Sammy Lalor had a re-aggravation of his hamstring injury that he sustained prior to coming to the Club,” Serpell said.

“Unfortunately for him, he is going to miss a bit of gametime, thankfully it’s only going to be around about three games though.”

Thomson Dow: Patella, 6-8 weeks

“Unfortunately, Thomson Dow dislocated his kneecap,” Serpell said.

“We will see how he progresses clinically over the next little while.”

Taj Hotton: ACL, 4-7 weeks
Josh Gibcus: ACL, 5-8 weeks

“Both Taj and Gibbo are going really well,” Serpell said.

“We expect to see them out training in the next few weeks without a non-contact hat on.

“About four or so weeks of that and we can expect to see them out playing again, so progressing well.”

Harry Armstrong: Hamstring, 6-8 weeks                       

“Harry is still chipping away,” Serpell said.

“It’s a long process for him, and again, not many real updates for him, but we will bring his return to play forward by a week.”

Josh Smillie: Hamstring, TBC

“Smillie is progressing quite well, but again not really many updates on him,” Serpell said.

“We want to focus on his development from an athletic perspective.

“The hamstring itself is looking quite good, but we want to make sure that he is ready to play senior football as soon as possible and make sure he is robust for that.”

Injury List

19. Tom Lynch: Injury: Concussion, Est. Return: Test

39. Mate Colina: Injury: Knee, Est. Return: Test

15. Jayden Short: Injury: Calf, Est. Return: 1-2 weeks

22. Sam Lalor: Injury: Hamstring, Est. Return: 4-6 weeks

24. Taj Hotton: Injury: ACL, Est. Return: 4-7 weeks

18. Josh Gibcus: Injury: ACL, Est. Return: 5-8 weeks

27. Thomson Dow: Injury: Patella, Est. Return: 6-8 weeks

34. Harry Armstrong: Injury: Hamstring, Est. Return: 6-8 weeks

16. Josh Smillie: Injury: Hamstring, Est. Return: TBC

Last Updated: 4:58 PM Monday, May 26, 2025


https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1791747/injury-report-round-12-2025

[Simonator]

With Lalor’s hammy, that’s now 3 of our draftees done a hammy, in smilies case 3 times now?, in the first half of the year. That can’t be a coincidence.

I recall Serpell or the club atleast saying they would be on a modified program in the off season, I wonder if that’s still continuing ? I think I also recall Serpell talking about high intensity, short sessions, like sprints ? Repeat efforts etc.

Wonder if that’s had a bad effect on the young boys.

I know I'm in the minority but I think people are readng far too much into it. All CLubs are having issues with soft tissue injuries. Have said it many times the shorter pre-season has alot to with it IMHO

Re our 3 draftees - developing bodies dealing with the rigors of AFL. Lalor was on a modified program when he was first drafted. He's strained the hamstring he severely injured last year in his draft year. So the Club decides to go down to the conservative path (again and correctly I might add) and people are up in arms about it. I see on CH7 news they ran story as Lalor's going to miss up to 6 weeks. Talk about over the top. What would people prefer? they go down the 21 days route and he goes out does it again? Damn if they damn if they don't

Armstrong, freak accident at training. Smilie, yes he's done it 3 times so this time they are concentrating on strengthening the hammy and his entire core strength and low and behold people are not happy. these kids are our future better to take time with these things now and get it right

I do remember a 3 time premiership player having hammy issues at the start of his career

It’s not about the club going down the conservative path once he’s injured it, it’s that he got injured in the first place. I’m a believer in bad luck, but for 3 of our draftees to sustain the same injury can not be a coincidence. Perhaps they needed more rest, or to continue to be on a different program, we obviously don’t know. But what’s for sure is that what they have done hasn’t worked

[WilliamPowell]

Both Smillie and Armstrong are on special programs due to their current injuries. Prior to those injuries they were not on special programs

Lalor was on a ,odified program when 1st drafted but has been on the regular program since Feb.

I will say it again every club is having issues with soft tissue injuries. It’s not like the RFC are the only Club facing it. Soft tissue injuries have been on the rose since the AFLPA demanded a shorter preseason in the latest CBA, that is defintenot a coincidence

[Tiger Khosh]

Touch wood that in 6 weeks we can be looking forward to seeing Lalor, Smillie, Hotton, Gibcus and Armstrong playing footy.