Richmond coach Damien Hardwick expects Tigers star Brett Deledio to be available for the team’s Round 2 clash with Collingwood on April 1.

Deledio will miss Thursday night’s season-opener against Carlton at the MCG because of a quad injury, but Hardwick maintained the complaint was not severe.

“The positive for us is it’s only like a ‘one-weeker’ . . . If the game was on Monday, he’s probably every chance of playing,” Hardwick said.

“We probably learned a little bit last year, where we pushed him to play Round 1 and he did some significant damage to his calf. 

“But this is a different injury, so we’re really positive that he’ll be available for Round 2.”