Setting the X-ample
Tigers’ star recruit in rehab, big chance to miss Round 1
AFLX skippers (from left) Patrick Dangerfield, Eddie Betts, Jack Riewoldt and Nat Fyfe, pictured on the roof at Docklands Stadium yesterday, have urged footy fans to at least give the game a chance tonight from 7.10pm. As Bolts captain Dangerfield said: “It’s what the audience wants to see. They want to see Fyfey taking massive marks, Eddie snapping incredible goals, Jack Riewoldt the same.”
RICHMOND may be forced to delay unveiling star recruit Tom Lynch, with the gun forward no certainty to play in Round 1 of the AFL season.
Lynch had knee surgery in July and remains at least a fortnight away from joining match simulation, according to Tigers vice-captain Jack Riewoldt.
The 2017 premier will play pre-season games against Melbourne and Hawthorn before opening the regular season against Carlton on March 21.
Lynch departed Gold Coast as a free agent at the end of last season, joining Richmond on a multimillion-dollar, sevenyear deal. The 26-year-old had an additional procedure in November to clean up his troublesome right knee and has been slowly ramping up his rehabilitation.
“To be honest I think he’s still a fortnight away [from match simulation], possibly longer,” Riewoldt said yesterday.
“There’s a no-risk policy with our players — if he’s right to go when the [pre-season competition] rolls around, he’ll play. If he’s not, he won’t. Same with Round 1.
“We’ll take the slowly, slowly approach with him and we know he’s going to be a great player for us in the long-term.”
Lynch is set to bring a different look to a Richmond forward line which has revolved around Riewoldt and a selection of smalls. The introduction of starting positions at centre bounces could also prompt the Tigers to tweak their ruck set-up given it is expected to benefit dominant big men.
Riewoldt said 190cm Shaun Grigg remained keen to chop out for lead ruckman Toby Nankervis but the Tigers also had younger options.
“He’s still keen to make sure that he can play in the ruck. He loves the title of being a premiership ruckman so he’ll be a chance,” Riewoldt said of Grigg. “At the moment we’ve got some young kids that are coming through that are exciting but Toby Nankervis is obviously our No.1 guy and he’s been training really well.” GEELONG star Gary Ablett says he is on track to play in the AFL’s pre-season series after he was a notable absentee from the Cats’ practice match against North Melbourne. Yesterday’s hitout against the Roos was initially scheduled to be held at Deakin University but was moved behind closed doors at Kardinia Park. However, Ablett did not mind telling waiting reporters he did not take part in the scratch match as he builds towards his 18th AFL season.
“I didn’t play at all today, the plan is to get right for next week,” Ablett said. “The body’s feeling good.”