Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch is likely to miss up to three months from the broken foot he suffered against the Western Bulldogs.
While Lynch was initially thought to miss up to two months, the Tigers are bracing for him to miss between 10-12 weeks.
Tom Lynch needs surgery on a foot fracture.Credit: AFL Photos
The news comes as Sydney confirmed veteran star Buddy Franklin will miss the clash with the Tigers due to a knee complaint and Sam Reid had suffered a significant setback in his return from hamstring tendon injury and will now not be seen again until at least after the bye.
Sydney’s doctor Damian Raper said Paddy McCartin was recovering well from yet another concussion. His brother Tom McCartin was coincidentally also concussed in the same match, so both will also miss the Richmond game.
“Paddy is doing well in the early stages of his recovery,” Dr Raper said.
“He still has some residual symptoms, which are not unexpected. He will be monitored closely in accordance with the AFL’s HIA protocols.
Paddy McCartin receives attention from a trainer after suffering another concussion.Credit: Getty Images
“Tom is also doing well in his recovery but will miss the match against Richmond after entering the AFL’s HIA (head injury assessment) protocols. He will continue to be monitored closely.”
The injury ravaged Tigers have 15 players on their injury list and face the prospect this week of having no Richmond-listed player playing in their VFL team.
There are presently likely to be four fit players outside the starting 22 selected to take on Sydney on Friday night in Adelaide.
The AFL team would typically take four travelling emergencies for an interstate game and with the Richmond VFL side playing at the same time as the AFL team the Tigers might not have any players left for their VFL team which will be fully reliant on top up players. There might be one AFL player at best.
Co-captain Toby Nankervis has no time frame yet for a return from ankle syndesmosis surgery.
Jack Riewoldt, who was rested from the weekend’s loss, will come straight back in at full-forward to replace Lynch.
Maurice Rioli jnr is likely to make a quick return to the senior team after being dropped last week. Jack Ross and Thomson Dow have had reasonable form in the VFL and will be in contention to be picked.
With Nankervis out, the Tigers will look at a range of options from 206cm forward-ruck Samson Ryan the obvious first choice. But Richmond have always been inventive with their rucks, with Marlion Pickett often being used as a second ruck.
Ben Miller and Noah Balta have both been used in the ruck in the past as well.
Key backman Josh Gibcus is closing on a return to playing, possibly after the Melbourne game in round six, but given he has not played football it would be a question of how soon he is brought into the senior team.
Nathan Broad is two weeks into his four match ban for a sling tackle so will be available after the Melbourne game.
