MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 28: Shane Edwards of the Tigers kicks the ball ahead of Chris Mayne of the Magpies during the 2019 AFL round 02 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 28, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

Tigers premiership player Shane Edwards has been selected to captain the club in their round four clash with Port Adelaide.

The 30-year-old has shown tremendous consistency over the past few years which saw him receive All-Australian honors in season 2018.

Injuries to skipper Trent Cotchin as well as star defender Alex Rance and key forward Jack Reiwoldt has meant that Richmond need to go deep into their leadership group for a leader.

Coach Damien Hardwick admits that the club is in a very interesting time with injuries aplenty and a slow start to the season.

"We're going through a little bit of a different phase," Hardwick told reporters on Thursday morning.

"We've got some players that we're giving opportunities to that's really exciting for us as a club moving forward.

"Are we in the position we want to be? No. But life challenges in different ways and that's our attitude to this. You can either look at it as an obstacle or an opportunity."

Richmond could make up to five changes for Saturday's clash, with Hardwick confirming first-year draftee Jack Ross would make his AFL debut.

Pick 43 in last year's draft, Ross has been renowned for his explosiveness and physical presence in contests which has allowed him to be labelled as a ready-made AFL prospect, according to the club.