Richmond has been left with more "frustration" as superstar Dustin Martin has been ruled out for a third consecutive week with a "crook back".
Martin was subbed out during the Round 16 loss against Carlton due to a back spasm and hasn't been sighted in a match since.
As circulation swirls around his future, the 33-year-old is running out of time to don the yellow and black before the curtain closes on season 2024.
"There's a bit of frustration for us," senior coach Adem Yze said on Thursday.
โHe's got a crook back at the moment that spasms โฆ if we try and push him through that, it could aggravate it again.
"It's easier for us to just rule him out this week and try to get some training load in for the following week."
Martin - who will be eyeing off a return against Collingwood - has found tranquillity away from the Swinburne Centre with a set of golf clubs in his hands, something that helps take his mind off the rigours of AFL football.
Yze said that he won't be confiscating the three-time Norm Smith medallists clubs anytime soon, as it is also a means of connecting and bonding with the younger players.
โNo, I haven't (confiscated his clubs)," Yze quipped.
"That's actually been very good for him for the last couple of years, taking up something outside of footy, and not only that but he connects with our players.
โHe's been able to play with Rhyan Mansell and some of our younger players โฆ for them to walk 18 holes with one of the best players to ever the play the game โ not golf โ that's been great for him.โ
The Tigers will be without in-form midfielder Tim Taranto for the Port Adelaide clash due to concussion as a result of a contentious tackle from GWS tagger Toby Bedford.
Despite Bedford applying the "perfect" tackle, the MRO and Tribunal both saw the Giant in violation of Taranto's duty of care, upholding a three-week suspension that will be challenged again at the Appeal Board.
Yze expressed the difficulty players have in tackling given the current climate, saying how "tough" it is.
โI feel for the players. When you're in a tackling motion and you're going to ground, it is hard to know what's going on; a lot of times you might have your eyes closed,โ Yze said.
โThe bigger guys have an advantage with the fact they can let go because they are stronger. If we've got Liam Baker trying to tackle Patty Cripps, he is just trying to stop him from getting possession. For him to think of anything else is tough.
โIt is a hard one. When you're tackling someone and you're taking some to ground, it is hard to let go โ you want to finish the tackle. The main thing we've been coaching is no real dump tackles or driving motion.โ
Yze and the Tigers have flirted with the idea of bringing in NRL and martial art coaches to assist with tackling techniques, helping avoid suspensions but also helping decrease the possibility of head knocks.
