Richmond coach Adem Yze says they can see the “light at the end of the tunnel” as injured players are set to return.
There were fears the Tigers would last week need to resort to using top-up players, having had to name emergencies they said weren’t fit to play.
But the Tigers coach confirmed Mykelti Lefau and Jasper Alger were available ahead of the Dreamtime at the ’G game against the Bombers.
Adem Yze has not used Richmond’s injury list an as excuse, saying the players have a responsibility to perform. Picture: Mark Stewart
“We’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with more players available next week and a handful post bye,” Yze said.
He agreed when asked if he felt they had adverted a crisis, half joking they were one “gastro outbreak” away from needing to use top-up players last week.
He talked up the game against the Bombers, saying his team have a responsibility to perform given the occasion, especially as it’s premiership defender Jayden Short’s 200th game.
Jayden Short will play his 200th AFL game. Picture: Michael Klein
“We don’t want to shy away from the fact that while we’re going through this rebuild, big games like this we have to build up as if they’re finals games,” he said.
“There’s a responsibility about putting our jumper on and the privilege it is to do that in this game. It’s Jayden Short’s 200th game which is an amazing achievement … for an amazing Richmond man and our boys will want to put on a performance for a great teammate. We’ve got a lot to play for.”