Richmond will be without Nick Vlastuin and Dion Prestia for Saturday afternoon's Round 8 clash with Collingwood due to illness. 

The pair will be replaced by Rhyan Mansell and Marlion Pickett.

Star midfielder Dustin Martin will make his highly-anticipated return in what will be his first outing since Round 1, while veteran Tiger Cotchin is back after being rested in last weekend's match against West Coast in Perth. 

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL RICHMOND ROUND 8 TEAM >>

01:23

Team selection: Round 8

View the team for the Round 8 match against Collingwood.

Martin recommenced training at Tigerland a fortnight ago after taking personal leave for five weeks. 

Speaking to the media on Thursday morning, coach Damien Hardwick said having Martin's presence back at Tigerland had been a big boost for his teammates. 

"We're looking forward to welcoming him back and hopefully he has an impact for us on the weekend, which we're sure he will," Hardwick said. 

Richmond v Collingwood

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"He's going to be not at his optimal, but he's certainly trained reasonably hard, as hard as he could without being in a team environment.

"We're pleasantly surprised by how he's moving and how he's operating thus far.

"At 50 per cent Dustin Martin's still a pretty good player in our books."

Thirty-two-year-old Cotchin, who played in the opening six rounds of the season, will add polish to the Tigers' midfield. 

10:41

Hardwick previews Collingwood

Damien Hardwick addresses the media at the Swinburne Centre ahead of the Round 8 match against Collingwood.

Making way for the two inclusions are Riley Collier-Dawkins, Sydney Stack and last week's activated medical substitute Jack Ross, who have all been omitted. 

Collier-Dawkins and Stack have been named as emergencies alongside Rhyan Mansell and Marlion Pickett. 

Richmond will confirm which player comes in as the medical substitute 60 minutes prior to tomorrow night’s bounce.

The clash can be viewed live on FOX FOOTY and Kayo Sports. 

Richmond team v Collingwood, Saturday, May 7, 1.45pm AEST, MCG
(Swipe across on mobile) 

Backs

Noah Balta

21

Dylan Grimes

2

Josh Gibcus

28

Half-Backs

Daniel Rioli

17

Rhyan Mansell

31

Liam Baker

7

Centreline

Kamdyn McIntosh

33

Jayden Short

15

Shane Edwards

10

Half-Forwards

Jason Castagna

11

Kane Lambert

23

Shai Bolton

29

Forwards

Tom Lynch

19

Dustin Martin

4

Jack Riewoldt

8

Followers

Toby Nankervis

25

Marlion Pickett

50

Trent Cotchin

9

Interchange:

Nathan Broad

35

Jack Graham

34

Ivan Soldo

20

 

Maurice Rioli

49

 

 

 

 

Emergencies

Will Martyn

36

Jake Aarts

16

Riley Collier-Dawkins

26

 

Sydney Stack

44

 

 

 

 

In: Dustin Martin (4), Trent Cotchin (9), Rhyan Mansell (31), Marlion Pickett

Out: Nick Vlastiun (1) – Illness, Dion Prestia (3) – Illness, Jack Ross (5) – omitted,  Riley Collier-Dawkins (26) – omitted, Sydney Stack (44) – omitted