Richmond youngster Kane McAuliffe has been withdrawn from Saturday's clash against Gold Coast at the MCG due to illness.
The inside midfielder has been replaced by Tyler Sonsie, while recruit and former Geelong player Patrick Retschko being added to the emergencies.
McAuliffe's exit may come as a shock to fans, particularly following his comments about a positive and injury free preseason.
Kane McAuliffe has withdrawn from the team (illness). He has been replaced by Tyler Sonsie in the 23. Patrick Retschko has been added to the emergencies. https://t.co/pf692p1KWi
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) March 20, 2026
McAuliffe's withdrawal is one of five changes for the Tigers ahead of the Suns battle.
Speedy forward Rhyan Mansell will miss at least three weeks with a fracture wrist, while Jonty Faull (suspension), Campbell Gray (omission) and Josh Gibcus (omission) were the remaining outs.
Both Gibcus and Gray were named in the club's Round 1 VFL side against Southport Sharks.
Veterans Dion Prestia and Nick Vlastuin were brought into the senior side after ticking off the last of their respective injury recoveries.
Defender Tom Brown was brought in to bolster the backline, while Mykelti Lefau poses as a like-for-like replacement with Faull.
The Tigers were valiant in their season opener against Carlton, storming back into the contest in the second half to fall narrowly short, but not without their chances.
Gold Coast have been faultless in clashes against Geelong and West Coast, but will get on the road for the first time in 2026.
The clash at the MCG will be one of two contests Damien Hardwick and his charges will have at the home of football. They return in two weeks' time to face Melbourne in Round 4.
