High Performance Manager Ben Serpell gives his injury update as Richmond prepares to travel to Sydney, where it will take on the GWS Giants this Saturday.

This Injury Report is brought to you by nib. With nib, life could be potentially amazing.

Despite missing out on Friday night’s Dreamtime clash with Essendon, Serpell confirmed Tigers captain Toby Nankervis will be available for selection this week, after being managed by the Club.

“Toby Nankervis has been carrying a knee injury, like many ruckmen,” Serpell said.

“He is a bit of a machine to be honest, but last week we decided to rest him because we had an opportunity to.

“In fact, we had to hold him back from playing, but we think we have managed him quite well and definitely available for selection this week.”

Two young Tigers, Sam Lalor and Thomson Dow, will unfortunately spend time on the sidelines after sustaining injuries in last week’s match.

Dow has suffered a dislocated kneecap, seeing him sidelined for the next six to eight weeks, while number one draft pick Lalor has suffered a hamstring injury, seeing him miss the next four to six weeks.

Despite the added injuries, Serpell took confidence in the returns of Dion Prestia and Tylar Young, who competed in the side's VFL match on Saturday night against Essendon.

“They both did really well,” Serpell said.

“Dion had a smile on his face and enjoyed his time out there, and Tylar had a really big impact from what I understand, so a great return to play from both of them.” 

03:18

Tom Lynch: Concussion, Test

“Lynchy has to get through the last couple of stages of his concussion protocol,” Serpell said.

“That involves a bit of contact at training today and then a full contact session later in the week.

“If he gets through that symptom-free, then he will be available for selection this weekend against GWS.”

Mate Colina: Knee, Test

“I’m glad to say that Mate is expected to be available this week, but again, we just got to get through the main training session during the week,” Serpell said.

“If he gets through that symptom-free then he will be available for selection.”

Jayden Short: Calf, 1-2 weeks

“Sadly, Shorty’s calf injury isn’t progressing as well as we would have liked,” Serpell said.

“As we said last week, we are going to look after our players, and it will probably be another week before we can give an indication of where he is coming back to.

“In addition to his calf injury, we have to make sure he is conditioned for the game, so probably another week or two before we see him.”

Sam Lalor: Hamstring, 4-6 weeks

“Sammy Lalor had a re-aggravation of his hamstring injury that he sustained prior to coming to the Club,” Serpell said.

“Unfortunately for him, he is going to miss a bit of gametime, thankfully it’s only going to be around about three games though.”

Thomson Dow: Patella, 6-8 weeks

“Unfortunately, Thomson Dow dislocated his kneecap,” Serpell said.

“We will see how he progresses clinically over the next little while.”

08:35

Taj Hotton: ACL, 4-7 weeks
Josh Gibcus: ACL, 5-8 weeks

“Both Taj and Gibbo are going really well,” Serpell said.

“We expect to see them out training in the next few weeks without a non-contact hat on.

“About four or so weeks of that and we can expect to see them out playing again, so progressing well.”

Harry Armstrong: Hamstring, 6-8 weeks                       

“Harry is still chipping away,” Serpell said.

“It’s a long process for him, and again, not many real updates for him, but we will bring his return to play forward by a week.”

Josh Smillie: Hamstring, TBC

“Smillie is progressing quite well, but again not really many updates on him,” Serpell said.

“We want to focus on his development from an athletic perspective.

“The hamstring itself is looking quite good, but we want to make sure that he is ready to play senior football as soon as possible and make sure he is robust for that.”

Brought to you by

nib
Player Injury Estimated Return
24. Taj Hotton

24. Taj Hotton

ACL Test

Hotton ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of his right knee during a training session in May 2024, wiping out most of his draft year.

Read Article
15. Jayden Short

15. Jayden Short

Calf 1 week

Short has sustained a small soleus strain in his calf.

Read Article
22. Sam Lalor

22. Sam Lalor

Hamstring 1-3 weeks

Lalor suffered a hamstring injury in Dreamtime at the 'G in Round 11.

Read Article
16. Josh Smillie

16. Josh Smillie

Conditioning 2-4 weeks

Smillie injured his hamstring in May, 2025, and is now working on a conditioning block before his return to play.

Read Article
34. Harry Armstrong

34. Harry Armstrong

Hamstring 2-5 weeks

Harry Armstrong suffered a high-grade injury to his hamstring tendon at training on April 10.

Read Article
18. Josh Gibcus

18. Josh Gibcus

ACL 2-5 weeks

Gibcus is recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which he sustained during Richmond's clash with Carlton in March 2024.

Read Article
27. Thomson Dow

27. Thomson Dow

Patella 4-7 weeks

Thomson Dow dislocated his kneecap during Dreamtime at the 'G in Round 11.

Read Article
50. Campbell Gray

50. Campbell Gray

Knee TBC

Gray suffered a posterolateral knee injury during the Round 11 VFL game against Sydney.

Read Article
23. Judson Clarke

23. Judson Clarke

ACL Season

Clarke ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during the Round 11 VFL game against Sydney.

Read Article
24. Taj Hotton

24. Taj Hotton

Hotton ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of his right knee during a training session in May 2024, wiping out most of his draft year.

Read Article
Injury: ACL
Est. Return: Test
16. Josh Smillie

16. Josh Smillie

Smillie injured his hamstring in May, 2025, and is now working on a conditioning block before his return to play.

Read Article
Injury: Conditioning
Est. Return: 2-4 weeks
18. Josh Gibcus

18. Josh Gibcus

Gibcus is recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which he sustained during Richmond's clash with Carlton in March 2024.

Read Article
Injury: ACL
Est. Return: 2-5 weeks
23. Judson Clarke

23. Judson Clarke

Clarke ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during the Round 11 VFL game against Sydney.

Read Article
Injury: ACL
Est. Return: Season

Last Updated: 2:55 AM Tuesday, June 17, 2025