Richmond is set to welcome back a trio of premiership stars this weekend for its clash with GWS.
Captain Toby Nankervis was managed in last week’s Dreamtime at the ‘G clash, Tom Lynch missed through concussion, and Dion Prestia made his return to the field through the VFL, with all three of them in the mix for selection ahead of Saturday’s game at ENGIE Stadium.
Prestia amassed 20 disposals and kicked a goal in the VFL’s victory over Essendon, his first game of the season.
“I saw him in black and yellow, which was nice,” Yze said of Prestia.
“He got through the game, he got through the minutes that we wanted. His running numbers were very good, and now it's just going to be how he pulls up, we've got our main session today.
“He did everything right and everything we asked of him, so if he gets through today, he'll be available and straight back into our team.”
Nankervis was managed through a knee complaint, and Yze explained how the Club needed to provide the skipper with a block of rest to avoid the ailment getting worse.
“Obviously excited to have our captain back, but we're more excited by the fact that he's pulled up really well,” Yze said.
“The plan all along was to look after him. He's been battling and been carrying that for a couple of weeks. We broke the cycle, and he's feeling really good, which is the most important thing.
“Now that he's available, he's great for us. Taking the pain away and hopefully he can get through the rest of the season without that pain is a great result.”
Lynch has worked his way through the concussion protocols and will be a welcome addition back into the Tigers’ forward line.
“He’s obviously gone through the protocols, ticked every box up until today, and he'll get through training, and he'll be available to play if he gets through today,” Yze said of Lynch.
The coach added having the trio of leaders back is “really important” for the road trip, which will see both the AFL and VFL teams travelling together ahead of the double-header against the Giants on Saturday.
Two Tiger cubs who won’t be playing this weekend are Sam Lalor, who injured his hamstring in last Friday’s loss to the Bombers, and Josh Smillie, who is working back from a hamstring injury of his own.
Yze confirmed the Club wouldn't be taking any risks with the number one draft pick.
“We won't rush anyone back. Sammy, (it’s) really minor, but it is an issue he had last year,” Yze said.
“It's the same spot as he hurt last year in the U18s. He’s already running, but in saying that, we've got the bye in between, so his time frame might look like it's five weeks, but he should only miss three games.
“We'll utilise the opportunity to get him fully fit to have a really strong back third of the season. There'll be no risk approach with Sammy.”
Yze was also able to provide a timeline on Smillie’s return.
“He’s traveling really well, he's running, and he's not that far away,” Yze said.
“It could be four to six weeks, but I think it'd be closer to four, which is good. He’s progressing nicely, but we just wanted to make sure that we set a really good plan for him.
“There's obviously going to be his return to play from the injury, but then the amount of training load we want him to come back and really set himself for that back part of the year.
“Right now, it's more around what he's doing in the gym and things like that. Really strengthening it before he gets going, and that's why it might be a little bit longer.”
