The 2024 number one pick, Sam Lalor, has been progressing terrifically throughout the preseason with the management of his injuries, but the Tigers have had to pull him back ahead of the build-up to Round One.
Richmond Tigers high-performance manager Ben Serpell gave us an update that Lalor's load will drop in the upcoming days, just before preseason matches.
"He got through most things preseason. As a whole, he is doing exceptionally well. We've decided to offload him a little bit over the next little while and build his loads up leading to Round 1."
All-Australian Nick Vlastuin isn't travelling as well in his rehab from his ankle. He seems to believe he isn't doing as well as the club believes. He is just starting to get more involved in match simulations.
"He himself suggests he is not doing well. We've probably got more faith in his body than he has himself," Serpell said.
Some great news for the veteran players, such as Toby Nankervis, Jacob Hopper and Nathan Broad, has all been progressing well and seem to be ready to play by round one.
"We will progress their match simulation load in the next little while, and they should all be available by Round 1."
Sam Banks, Tom Sims, Josh Smillie and Judson Clarke are all progressing through their injury, but are further back in their rehab process than the players above. All players are slowly getting back into training and match simulations, with Sam Banks seeming to be closest to returning.
Richmond will take on Essendon next week (Feb 20) in an unofficial match simulation at the NEC Hangar before a hitout with Melbourne on February 27 at Mars Stadium.
The Tigers will play Carlton at the MCG as per usual to kick off their season on Thursday 12th of March at 7:30 pm.
