From The Age:The Tigers are likely to finally have full-forward Tom Lynch and midfielder Shae Bolton back to lead a group of senior players returning for the second practice match.
Lynch has been battling a plantar fascia problem over the summer, with the Tigers patiently building him towards fitness for round one.
He will be assessed during the week but is a strong chance to play at least some minutes in the second practice match this week, against Melbourne at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon.
Bolton missed the first practice match against North Melbourne last week while he attended a funeral, but he is likely to return to the club this week and play against the Demons.
Jack Graham’s turf toe injury, which he managed last year then had treatment for at the end of the season, is still causing him problems. He is a chance albeit possibly unlikely for round one.
Liam Baker had his appendix out, forcing him to miss the first practice match. He could be a chance to play this week but will certainly be fit for round one.
The management of Lynch, however is the most critical. While Richmond will have a new-look midfield with the arrival of Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, they have a very familiar-looking forward set-up with veterans Lynch and Jack Riewoldt still the key targets.
The former All-Australian Lynch, who has turned 30, won the Jack Dyer Medal last year and is probably the Tigers’ most critical structural player.
Source: The Age
