Richmond's horrid run of injury in 2024 has continued over the weekend, with a promising young key forward and a premiership hero set for the sidelines.
25-year-old Mykelti Lefau, who burst onto the scene in 2024 with a splash of athleticism and forward craft in the absence of Tom Lynch, will miss the remainder of the season and more after suffering an ACL tear.
The incident occurred in the dying stages of Richmond's 30-point loss to Geelong, when Lefau landed awkwardly from a high mark attempt. While he was able to walk off the ground at his own accord, coach Adam Yze suspects the worst.
"To the extent, we don't know, but it doesn't look good," Yze said post-match.
"At this stage it does look like he might've hurt his knee.
"We'll obviously go to get the scans on Monday... it'll be shattering if it is (an ACL) because he's in good form and he's a real talent.
"If it is, we'll wrap our arms around him like we have with the other boys that have injured themselves, but hoping that it might not be the case."
Scans taken on Sunday have confirmed the worst for the young Tiger, performance manager Tim Livingstone revealing the extent.
โFootball can be a cruel game sometimes, and for Mykelti, who has been in terrific form, this is an unfortunate way for his debut season to finish,โ Livingstone said.
โMykelti has not put a foot wrong since he joined our AFL program in the pre-season, and we know he will attack his rehab with the same professionalism and energy that has held him in such strong stead this season.
โWe will give him our support every step of the way and help him to return to action and to continue with his promising career in 2025.โ
It is the fifth ACL tear suffered this season for the Tigers, adding to their appallingly hefty toll on the injury front in 2024, which currently includes well over half of their best 22.
Making matters worse, two-time premiership hero Marlion Pickett also looks set to miss some action over the next few weeks, the 32-year-old injuring his calf in the final quarter also and leaving his coach clutching at straws to find the positives.
"Marlion (Pickett) hurt his calf in the last quarter, so he's obviously gonna miss a couple weeks."
"It is what it is. We get an opportunity and Caleb Smith gets a chance to run out and fulfill his dream today and start his AFL career."
"We're always gonna look at the silver lining and be really disappointed we didn't come away with the win."
Pleasingly for Adam Yze, the news is not soured by another lacklustre performance from his troops, the Tigers shocking all watching with their effort and intensity, controlling the scoreboard for nearly three quarters against the Cats on hostile territory.
While the final term dampens what was a gallant performance from a heavily undermanned side, Yze expressed his pride in what he saw for majority of the contest.
"We are proud of our effort, it's hard to come down here and beat them... I thought we put in a really solid performance for three quarters," Yze said.
"Disappointed with the way that we finished but proud of the way we started," he added.
With a short break now ahead of their Thursday trip to Adelaide, Richmond may need to cull the playing list further as some veterans are put on ice before what will likely be a milestone occasion in Round 14.
When asked whether he will rest Dustin Martin against Adelaide and allow his 300th to be played at home in front of the Richmond faithful, Yze hinted in the affirmative.
"It won't be around that, it'll be because we've got a five-day break."
"We'll probably have three or four players in the category, based on their age and workload, that might be high risk to play against Adelaide."
Richmond will enter the Adelaide oval as heavy underdogs with a host of missing troops with an eye on the following week's clash with Hawthorn in what shapes as an illustrious occasion - Dusty's 300th at the 'G.
