Tigers give Richo a chance to play
Rohan Connolly | May 25, 2007 | The Age
RICHMOND sprang a big selection shock last night when it named injured spearhead Matthew Richardson in its team for tomorrow night's "Dreamtime" game against Essendon at the MCG.
The veteran full-forward will be given an opportunity to train at the the Tigers' final session this afternoon, despite a fractured eye socket, broken nose and lacerated forehead, which had him expected to miss a minimum of two weeks.
Though still considered unlikely to play, Richardson's determination forced the Tigers to at least give him a chance, Richmond football manager Paul Armstrong said last night.
"It will be one of those ones where the doctors will say to him, 'This is the risk', then it's up to him to see how he feels and whether he wants to put his hand up to play or not," Armstrong said. "He's pretty tough, 'Richo'.
"He hasn't trained with the group, but he loves the Dreamtime game, and wants to be given the opportunity to at least try to train tomorrow, so we'll do that, and make an assessment then."
Richardson's likely replacement in the selected side is Kent Kingsley, named as an emergency, who kicked five goals for Coburg in the VFL last week. The former Geelong key forward is still to make his senior debut with the Tigers.
Jack Riewoldt has been picked for his debut. The cousin of St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt was selected at the expense of Jay Schulz.
Armstrong said Richmond would not risk Richardson, who kicked nine goals in his previous outing against Essendon late last season, if club doctor Greg Hickey decided there was any risk of further damage. "He's genuinely keen to play, but he understands what he has to do tomorrow to get through, to be able to train with the rest of the group and pull up OK and feel no after-effects," he said. "If there was too high a risk of further damage, you'd think you'd err on the side of caution."
In the unlikely event he does line up, Richardson will not wear any added facial protection. "I don't know if there's anything designed that would specifically help, that so that will be part of the decision as well," Armstrong said.
Essendon assistant coach Gary O'Donnell said last night the Bombers' plans wouldn't be thrown out should the Tiger play.
"Somebody's got to play in that role. One of our key backs has got to play one of their key backs, whether it's Richo or Kent Kingsley," he said. "We just worry about what we can control."
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