Interim Richmond senior coach Andrew McQualter has addressed the severity of debutant Jacob Bauer's hamstring injury, as well as defended the Tigers' knack for picking up soft-tissue ailments in recent times.
McQualter's Tigers put forth a dominant second-half showing against the Sydney Swans on Thursday night, overcoming a first-half deficit to cap a barnstorming victory at the MCG to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
Bauer, however, made his maiden AFL appearance against the Swans before quickly succumbing to a hamstring injury, swiftly substituted out of Thursday's contest for midfielder Jack Ross within minutes of the game's commencement.
Speaking to the media post-game, McQualter expressed disappointment for Bauer, who notched a pair of effective disposals before falling victim to his ailment.
"Yeah, poor bugger, two kicks in two minutes and then off with a hammy," McQualter said.
"[We're] not really sure of how severe, but, being unable to come back on, we assume he'll miss a couple of weeks, it's a real shame for him.
On Thursday, Bauer became the latest Tiger to be sidelined with a hamstring, joining midfielders Jayden Short and Dion Prestia as the club's recent soft-tissue victims.
Consequently, McQualter was quizzed on the topic of Richmond's frequent acquiescence to soft-tissue injuries.
"I don't think they're any more significant in the last couple of weeks than (any other period of time), I think footy clubs go through injuries all the time, unfortunately, these things happen and we move on."
While the Tigers face the dim prospect of losing their debutant for a period of time, McQualter must also consider contingency planning for the absence of his reliable ruckman co-captain, Toby Nankervis, who is slated to be referred straight to the Tribunal following a high bump that concussed Sydney defender Jake Lloyd.
Richmond's interim boss didn't dare criticise Nankervis, instead affirming he 'wouldn't change' his skipper's approach to the contest.
"It's been Toby's greatest strength for a long period of time, his ability to get after the ball and the opposition, whatever comes of it (the likely hefty suspension) comes, but we wouldn't change Toby for the world."
McQualter added he hasn't yet considered the prospect of a 'Nank' absence.
"I haven't thought about it at this stage at all, Toby's second half I thought, as a captain, he led the way with what he did, particularly the first 15 minutes of that third quarter, I thought he was really significant."
After keeping its season afloat on Thursday, Richmond will look to continue its ascension when it travels to play West Coast next Sunday afternoon.
