Appendicitis has sidelined star Tiger Liam Baker a month out from his side's Round 1 encounter with Carlton in what is another injury blow to Richmond's pre-season plans.
The Tigers have seen a handful of premiership stars battle injuries and ailments across the course of the summer, with the Punt Road casualty ward shapeshifting across the course of the past few months.
Star forward Tom Lynch is continuing to build his workload at training after requiring off-season foot surgery, while defender Nathan Broad (hamstring), Dylan Grimes (hamstring), Ivan Soldo (wrist), Jason Castagna (hamstring) and Jack Graham (toe) have also spent time on the sidelines.
Young defender Josh Gibcus is expected to miss the start of the season with a hamstring complaint of his own, while other young Tigers in Sam Banks (hip) and Kaleb Smith (foot) have also faced setbacks of their own.
Baker is the latest to be added to the Tigers' injury list, having needed his appendix to be removed this week.
A return timeframe for appendicitis is estimated to be 3-4 weeks, placing Baker in a race against the clock to be fit for Round 1 as he returns to light duties next week.
Liam Baker suffered appendicitis this week and subsequently had his appendix removed.
He will resume light duties next week. pic.twitter.com/4wKb15uFcP
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) February 17, 2023
Baker has quickly emerged to become a pivotal player in Hardwick's system since debuting with the club in 2018.
The 25-year-old has flourished in roles across all three lines for the Tigers in recent seasons, even earning top four placing in the club's past two best and fairest counts.
The Tigers are hoping to be near full fitness for their season opener, which is now less than a month away, with Gibcus seen to be the only key Tiger in doubt to start the new campaign.
Richmond's final intraclub outing is scheduled for Saturday morning, with the Tigers taking on North Melbourne and Melbourne in pre-season matches in the coming weeks.
The Tigers will open their 2023 season with the traditional clash against Carlton at the MCG, scheduled for Thursday, March 16.