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Tigers’ injury woes compounded in pre-season clash with Hawks

A pair of Richmond stars have required attention from medical staff during their AAMI Community Series match.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Richmond's pre-season battle with injuries has continued into their AAMI Community Series clash with Hawthorn in Devenport.

The Tigers have seen a number of key figures sidelined throughout their preparations for the season ahead, with midfielder Dion Prestia the latest be placed under an injury cloud.

During the second quarter of Richmond's hit-out against the Hawks, Prestia collided with Hawthorn's Tom Phillips and soon required attention on his right hand.

The 29-year-old was brought off the field and had his hand/wrist put on ice, however the ailment wouldn't end further involvement in the match for Prestia.

Ruckman Ivan Soldo also left the field clutching his ankle during the third term of the match, with the Tigers tall looking to be in great pain as he required treatment from medical staff.

The injury occurred in a ruck contest with Hawk Ned Reeves, with Soldo seeming to have tweaked his lower leg.

Defender Dylan Grimes also sent nervous waves through the Tigers' faithful, landing awkwardly on his right foot and limping off the field in the opening half of the match before eventually returning to the field.

The trio of setbacks could add to the growing headaches senior coach Damien Hardwick has endured with injuries in recent weeks, with premiership duo Nick Vlastuin and Kane Lambert both currently sidelined.

Vlastuin is in doubt to feature in Richmond's season opener against Carlton on Thursday, March 17 at the MCG as he nurses a hamstring niggle sustained in last week's pre-season clash with Geelong.

Lambert and the Tigers are understood to be mulling over potential surgery for the midfielder's hindered hip.

Should Lambert go under the knife, he could miss the entire season as Richmond look to return to premiership contention in 2022.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 14: Kane Lambert of the Tigers celebrates kicking a goal during the round four AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 14, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Fellow onballer Jack Graham will undertake further assessment on his fitness ahead of the Tigers' season opener, with the emerging Tiger having suffered hip, back, glute and hamstring issues in recent months.

Forward Matt Parker (ankle), rookie Sam Banks (quad) and young gun Riley Collier-Dawkins (ribs) are also currently under injury clouds.

Published by
Mitch Keating