Sam Lalor

Richmond provide latest on sidelined No.1 pick

The young Tiger was ruled out of this week’s action through injury.

Published by

Mitch Keating

Richmond are confident No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor will miss just one game with his hip flexor issue after he was ruled out of featuring in the Tigers' Gather Round bout with Fremantle.

Lalor and fellow first-round pick Harry Armstrong were surprise omissions for Round 5 through injury, with the latter suffering a high-grade hamstring strain at training this week that will see him miss close to three months of action.

The Tigers are hopeful Lalor, who is dealing with hip soreness, will be available for next week's contest against Gold Coast.

Any lingering concerns will mean he won't be risked, however coach Adem Yze remains confident he'll have the energetic midfield-forward back for the Marvel Stadium home game.

"Another unfortunate one," Yze said of Lalor's setback.

"He was a little bit sore post-game and he just didn't get up. We're hoping it's just the one (week he misses).

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: Rhyan Mansell (left) and Sam Lalor of the Tigers celebrate during the 2025 AFL Round 01 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 13, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"He just aggravated his hip, a little hip flexor (concern). As we will do with any of our young players, if there's any risk next week we won't play them and give him the extra one.

"Right now, we're hoping it's only one."

Amid the absence of Lalor and Armstrong, another draftee in Jonty Faull has been named to make his debut against the Dockers.

Faull, the 14th overall pick in last year's National Draft, is another key forward option for Yze, with his strong aerial craft and body work among his leading traits.

"We were rapt to get him when he was still available in the draft," Yze said of the GWV Rebels product.

"We knew what we were getting. He loves the contest, can kick a goal from everywhere and he's a great teammate.

"He warranted his selection. We aren't rushing him in. He would've been in the team even if Harry didn't hurt himself at training. He's ready to play, he'll compete and hopefully he hits the scoreboard."

The Tigers also named Maurice Rioli and Hugo Ralphsmith as inclusions for their game in the Barossa, with young backman Kaleb Smith the other omission.

Published by

Mitch Keating

2 weeks ago