Richmond could unveil rookie ruckman Samson Ryan against Essendon as a replacement for Toby Nankervis, who looks likely to miss at least a month of football with a knee injury, The Herald Sun reports.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick explained on Thursday the reasoning behind potentially blooding the Queenslander in such an important clash.
"We've got a couple of options. We're really excited by a young tall, Samson Ryan, that will maybe get an opportunity. We'll work our way through that".
Ryan, selected with Pick 40 in the 2020 draft, could be called upon to compliment Mabior Chol and Callum Coleman-Jones, who both had stellar showings against the Crows last Sunday at GIANTS Stadium.
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The 20-year-old Ryan - who came through the Brisbane Lions academy system - has been in impressive form at VFL-level, kicking six goals over his last two games.
Richmond could also turn to makeshift ruckman Marlion Pickett, who served a one-match ban last week for a hit on Lions defender Brandon Starcevich.
"We’ve got a couple of options - it’s whether we go smaller in the ruck", Hardwick said.
According to Fox Sports, "three talls and the ruck" is how the Tigers are planning to line up in the immediate future
In other selection news for the Tigers, Shane Edwards will return for the Dreamtime clash in Perth, with Richmond looking to extend a 10-match winning streak against the Bombers.
