Richmond gun Taj Hotton is a chance to play his first AFL game in 2026, with coach Adem Yze indicating the dynamic forward is “highly likely” to return to the senior side this week.
Hotton trained with the main group on Friday and remains in Richmond's plans for the second half of the season after a bone stress injury put him on the sidelines.
“(Hotton's) a highly talented player we want to get games into,” Yze said.
"So it's highly likely that he will come back in.
“(He has to get through) today's session and finalise the teams, but he's a high talent, so highly likely he will come back in."
Yze believes his VFL experience has him well prepared for the demands of the game.
“He's played enough VFL footy that he can come in, there's a lot of players that play 60-70 per cent game time anyway," he said.
There was also positive news surrounding former number seven draft pick Josh Smillie, who continues to progress in his recovery after spending time in Philadelphia working on his rehabilitation, according to Yze.
“He's in a really good spot, so he got a lot out of it that's not just his body composition or different running techniques, and he did grow,” he said.
“He's a big boy and he learned a lot about himself and the science around his body and now he's earned the right to train.
"The leaders can't wait to get him out there. They know the type of character he is and the type of character he's going to be for us."
Smillie has commenced a kicking program and is gradually building towards full training.
Although Yze did not specify a return date, he suggested the 20-year-old could be available within the next four to six weeks.
Yze said that key forward Tom Lynch is also nearing a comeback after ticking off another stage of his recovery.
"Whether it's next week or the week after, he's getting closer. We've just gotta look after him," he said.
"We need some of our more experienced forwards to get in there because we've got a really young forward line at the moment."
Lynch's return would provide a significant boost to Richmond's emerging forward line.
Meanwhile, Yze said inside midfielder Jack Ross remains in concussion protocols.
"It's really frustrating," he said.
"He's up and down, he did a big session the other day, but now it's really up to protocols and how he's pulling up from that.
"Hopefully, he's available for the Collingwood game, but if not the week after."
Yze also sent his support to Adelaide and Fremantle great Tony Modra after news broke that he was involved in a truck crash late Thursday night.
"Shocking news, hopefully he's going to be okay. On behalf of the footy club, our thoughts and prayers are with his family," he said.
"I did love watching his marks. He's an amazing player (and) person. Hopefully he pulls through."
