Richmond defender Noah Balta is set to be available for selection for the Club’s season opener against Carlton next Thursday night.
The 194cm key back has overcome a minor hamstring injury in time to face the Blues, barring any hiccups on the training track this week.
“We anticipate Noah will train fully across the next week and put his hand up for selection,” Richmond High Performance Manager Ben Serpell said.
Midfielder Dion Prestia will also train fully ahead of the season opener, though the Club may lean on the side of caution with the veteran.
“Dion as well could be in the mix for Thursday night as he is really close to returning to match play,” Serpell said.
“Last year we were conservative with his return (VFL minutes after an Achilles injury), and it worked with him playing 12 consecutive (AFL) games, so we may look to do similar again.”
Nick Vlastuin has also been listed as a test, with the Club confident he has overcome the ankle injury that curtailed his off-season.
“Nick has got his ankle in a really good spot, and we are really pleased with where that sits,” Serpell said.
“We will still assess how his body is feeling for Thursday night, given the training he has missed and some of the soreness he has had. So, he remains a test for Carlton, but we are pleased with where he is at.”
The Club can also confirm that Josh Smillie is unfortunately set for a further period on the sidelines after suffering a new quad injury.
“Josh, unfortunately, suffered a quad strain at one of our recent rehab sessions, which will delay his return to play,” Serpell said.
“To be clear, it is not a re-injury of the injury which required surgery, and the young man himself is as disappointed as everyone else at the Club is for him, given the work he has put in.
“We are on the right path with Josh. However, we also want to be conservative and anticipate that this will unfortunately extend his rehab by 4-8 weeks.
“We will have a clearer picture on this in the coming weeks.”
Ruckman Ollie Hayes-Brown is a test to return to availability after missing the weekend's VFL practice match, while Samson Ryan is expected to be back playing in Round 3 or 4.
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| Player | Injury | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|
3. Dion Prestia |
Hamstring |
Test
Prestia suffered hamstring awareness in Round 16 against Collingwood. Read Article |
|
47. Oliver Hayes-Brown |
Knee |
Test
Hayes-Brown is a test to return to availability after recovering from knee soreness. Read Article |
|
38. Tom Sims |
MCL |
Test
Sims sustained an MCL injury in the Round 9 VFL game. Read Article |
|
4. Sam Lalor |
Achilles |
Round 20
Lalor suffered a partial tear to his Achilles during a training session in the lead-up to Round 8. Read Article |
|
16. Josh Smillie |
Quad |
Round 20-22
Smillie sustained a small re-tear of the injury he acquired in February. Read Article |
|
50. Campbell Gray |
Hamstring |
Round 20-23
Gray suffered a high-grade hamstring strain in Round 10. Read Article |
|
5. Jack Ross |
Concussion |
TBC
Ross suffered a concussion in Richmond's Round 17 AFL game. Read Article |
|
49. Kaleb Smith |
Concussion |
TBC
Smith sustained a concussion in Round 15 of the VFL. Read Article |
|
11. Luke Trainor |
Concussion |
TBC
Trainor sustained a concussion at training in the lead-up to Round 17. Read Article |
|
2. Jacob Hopper |
Ankle |
TBC
Hopper suffered a stress fracture in his ankle following the Round 14 game against Brisbane. Read Article |
|
8. Jonty Faull |
Back |
Season
Faull will miss the remainder of the 2026 AFL season due to stress fractures in his back. Read Article |
|
18. Josh Gibcus |
Knee |
Season
Gibcus sustained an ACL sprain in the VFL Round 5 game. Read Article |
3. Dion Prestia
Prestia suffered hamstring awareness in Round 16 against Collingwood.
Read Article
47. Oliver Hayes-Brown
Hayes-Brown is a test to return to availability after recovering from knee soreness.
Read Article
38. Tom Sims
Sims sustained an MCL injury in the Round 9 VFL game.
Read Article
4. Sam Lalor
Lalor suffered a partial tear to his Achilles during a training session in the lead-up to Round 8.
Read Article
16. Josh Smillie
Smillie sustained a small re-tear of the injury he acquired in February.
Read Article
50. Campbell Gray
Gray suffered a high-grade hamstring strain in Round 10.
Read Article
5. Jack Ross
Ross suffered a concussion in Richmond's Round 17 AFL game.
Read Article
49. Kaleb Smith
Smith sustained a concussion in Round 15 of the VFL.
Read Article
11. Luke Trainor
Trainor sustained a concussion at training in the lead-up to Round 17.
Read Article
2. Jacob Hopper
Hopper suffered a stress fracture in his ankle following the Round 14 game against Brisbane.
Read Article
8. Jonty Faull
Faull will miss the remainder of the 2026 AFL season due to stress fractures in his back.
Read Article
18. Josh Gibcus
Gibcus sustained an ACL sprain in the VFL Round 5 game.
Read ArticleLast Updated:
