Richmond will need to overcome a dire record without vice-captain Brett Deledio if it is to rebound against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night. 

Deledio has been ruled out for one more week as he battles calf soreness, which resurfaced after he played in round one. 

The two-time club champion is available to return after serving a one-match suspension, but coach Damien Hardwick confirmed on Thursday he would need another week on the sidelines before playing.     

Become a Richmond member for the 2015 season

The Tigers, who kicked just nine goals against the Western Bulldogs in round two, have lost four of their last five games without Deledio. 

"He'll hopefully get the calf right for round four, so from our point of view we just move on," Hardwick said on Thursday.   

"He's close enough but he's still got some soreness in that area, so it's one of those ones you can either take the week and play it conservatively or take the risk and miss three or four. 

Get all the game day information for Round 3 against Brisbane

"He can get to a certain stage of running before it gets sore again…but we're all over it."

Hardwick said he was more concerned about finding more spark in the forward line, where Deledio has become a mainstay, than bolstering the team across half-back. 

"I think our run and carry from our back half has been a real positive so far. We've been one of the best transition sides in the AFL," he said. 

"But last week we didn't finish that well going across the arc. We had 17 marks inside 50 but only three loose-ball gets, which you generally win when you take 17 marks."