Young gun defender, Dylan Grimes, will play his first game for Richmond in more than nine months, when he lines up against St Kilda in Friday night’s encounter at the MCG.
Grimes, who has overcome significant hamstring trouble, has been recalled to the line-up, in one of two changes the Tigers have made for the Round 2 clash.
Former Melbourne utility Ricky Petterd will make his debut for Richmond, after missing the opening round victory over Carlton with a groin injury.
They replace Ben Griffiths and Robin Nahas, who have both been omitted.
Grimes, 21, 193cm and 88kg, has played 17 league games, with the last being in Round 14, 2012 against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
He sustained a severe hamstring injury in that match, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Then, late last year, Grimes re-injured his hamstring at training and he subsequently underwent further surgery.
Now, following several impressive hit-outs at VFL level with Coburg, Grimes has forced his way back into Richmond’s side.
Petterd, 185cm and 85kg, has earned his senior opportunity with the Tigers, after being delisted by Melbourne at the end of last season.
The 24-year-old veteran of 54 games in six seasons of league football, reinvented himself as a rebounding half-back at Richmond during the pre-season, having played predominantly up forward during his time with the Demons.
“He reads the play well, he’s terrific overhead, he’s brave, and he uses the ball well,” said Richmond’s coach Damien Hardwick.
Full team
FB Steven Morris 38 Alex Rance 18 Troy Chaplin 25
HB Jake Batchelor 11 Chris Newman 1 Bachar Houli 14
C Shaun Grigg 6 Trent Cotchin 9 Reece Conca 30
HF Brett Deledio 3 Shane Edwards 10 Daniel Jackson 23
FF Luke McGuane 16 Jack Riewoldt 8 Ty Vickery 29
Foll Ivan Maric 20 Dustin Martin 4 Shane Tuck 21
Int Brandon Ellis 5 Jake King 28 Ricky Petterd 13
Dylan Grimes 2
Emg: Ben Griffiths 24 Nick Vlastuin 31 Chris Knights 15
