Tigers have no concerns for Cotchin
RICHMOND expects skipper Trent Cotchin to be available for next week’s clash with North Melbourne but fellow onballer Dion Prestia will undergo scans on an injured calf.
Cotchin was a late withdrawal for yesterday’s clash with Fremantle at the MCG, having failed to recover from a lingering knee injury.
His absence proved little impediment for the reigning premiers, who went on to thrash the Dockers by 77 points to secure their spot on top of the AFL ladder.
Cotchin had been in doubt all week, having smashed his right knee into the goalpost while preventing a goal during last week’s victory over Collingwood. Coach Damien Hardwick revealed the collision had caused a build-up of fluid around Cotchin’s calf.
But he insisted Cotchin was in no doubt to face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium next Sunday. “He’ll be fine,” Hardwick said. “It was a last-minute thing. He’s got a bit of fluid around his calf.”
Prestia is less certain to line up against the Kangaroos, having succumbed to a calf injury during Sunday’s third quarter.
CARLTON suffered a MASSIVE blow with key forward Levi Casboult out for a month of the AFL season with a fractured rib.
The 28-year-old suffered the injury in a marking contest in the last quarter of Saturday night’s 55point loss to Adelaide. He was taken to hospital by ambulance after the Adelaide Oval match for assessment.
Casboult joins a lengthy injury list that includes skipper Marc Murphy (foot), Alex Silvagni (Achilles), Charlie Curnow (ankle) and Sam Docherty (knee).