Richmond will be without Dustin Martin for the second straight week as the champion Tiger continues to deal with a back issue, while fellow midfielder Dion Prestia could return for his first game since Round 13.
Martin did not make the trip to Western Australia last weekend after experiencing back spasms the week prior, with the triple Norm Smith Medal winner required to undergo testing at training this week to be cleared for a comeback game.
Coach Adem Yze has confirmed the 301-gamer won't face GWS this weekend as he continues to deal with the ailment, meaning Martin is most likely to return in Round 19 when the Tigers head to South Australia to face Port Adelaide.
"[His back] is still a little bit sore, so we're going to give him this week off," Yze revealed.
"It's still a bit grumbly. He won't train today and he won't play."
While Martin's absence is set to be prolonged, veteran Prestia has a strong chance to feature this weekend for what will be just his seventh game of 2024.
Prestia has most recently been sidelined by a calf issue, with multiple occasions of soft-tissue injuries also keeping the premiership ball-winner limited this year.
"He was almost ready last week," the Tigers coach added.
"He'll be available this week. He's a leader of our footy club and really important to the way that we play. He'll get through training today."
The former Suns gun could be the sole inclusion for the Tigers this week after Yze's men got through last weekend's loss to Fremantle unscathed.
Young defender Sam Banks was used as the tactical sub and could make way, as Martin's replacement Noah Cumberland failed to fire in his return.
The Tigers could also have young ruck-forward Samson Ryan back from a syndesmosis injury, with Yze to weigh up how tall his attacking contingent should be to negate the Giants' rearguard at the MCG this weekend.
Veteran spearhead Tom Lynch isn't expected to return for at least another fortnight as he continues to deal with a troublesome hamstring injury. Duo Maurice Rioli (ankle) and Marlion Pickett (calf) could also return in that timeframe.
