Richmond's High Performance Manager Ben Serpell has provided a positive update on exciting Tiger youngster Sam Cumming, after he returned to the field via the VFL this past weekend.
Making his return from a shoulder injury, Cumming amassed 11 disposals and six tackles on limited game time in Richmond's VFL win over St Kilda on Sunday.
“Sam got through the game pretty well, no shoulder soreness in the end, and also he was very confident in that shoulder. Obviously, we saw him play managed minutes, and we're happy for him to play a full game in the next couple of weeks," Serpell said.
Serpell also discussed the status of several Tigers heading into Gather Round below.
This Injury Report is brought to you by nib. With nib, life could be potentially amazing.
Injury Report: Round 5
Ben Serpell provides an update on the injury list before our Round 5 clash against GWS.
Hugo Ralphsmith: Knee, Test
Noah Balta: Hamstring tightness, Test
“We pulled them both out of the game (last week) as a very precautionary approach,” Serpell said.
“Noah pulled up with a bit of hamstring tightness out of training, and then Hugo Ralphsmith, we thought we'd take a week to look after his knee, which he's been carrying for a little while.
“Both are expected to get through training tomorrow and be available for selection this weekend."
Josh Gibcus: Soreness, Test
“Similar to Hugo and Balta, we thought we'd give Josh Gibcus a rest last week. We have a low threshold for where he's at, and he pulled up a bit sore from the (VFL) game prior. Given he's not played many games the last two years, we thought we'd take the opportunity to give him a rest and see him back out there in the next week or two,” Serpell said.
Josh Smillie: Quad, 4-6 weeks
“(Smillie) is doing really well,” Serpell said.
“He's back to running around about 90 per cent, and he's starting to do a bit of kicking as well. We're really confident where he's at...but given where he's come from, the surgery, and a few other things, we anticipate him closer to six weeks.”
Brought to you by
| Player | Injury | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|
4. Sam Lalor |
Knee |
Unavailable
Lalor had a collision incident involving his right knee late in the Round 22 AFL game. Read Article |
|
29. Jasper Alger |
Ankle |
Unavailable
Alger has pulled up with some ankle soreness after the Round 21 VFL game. Read Article |
|
21. Noah Balta |
Toe |
Season
Balta injured his toe after an awkward landing during a contest in Round 19. Read Article |
|
22. Sam Cumming |
Ankle/Shoulder |
Season
Cumming suffered a moderate grade syndesmosis injury in a tackle during Round 21. The ankle injury will not require surgery, but the Club will take the opportunity for him to go in and have his shoulder operated on. Read Article |
|
7. Rhyan Mansell |
Foot |
Season
The Club sought specialist opinion regarding Rhyan Mansell's foot soreness leading into Round 21. Following their assessment, the Club has made the decision to rule him out for the remainder of the year. Read Article |
|
38. Tom Sims |
Toe |
Season
Sims has some medial sesamoid pain, with the plan to offload him until he is pain-free. Read Article |
|
49. Kaleb Smith |
Quad |
Season
Smith sustained a quad strain in the July 19 VFL game. Read Article |
|
2. Jacob Hopper |
Ankle |
Season
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 |
|
16. Josh Smillie |
Quad |
Season
Smillie and the Club are entirely focused on setting him up for a full pre-season. Read Article |
4. Sam Lalor
Lalor had a collision incident involving his right knee late in the Round 22 AFL game.
Read Article
29. Jasper Alger
Alger has pulled up with some ankle soreness after the Round 21 VFL game.
Read Article
21. Noah Balta
Balta injured his toe after an awkward landing during a contest in Round 19.
Read Article
22. Sam Cumming
Cumming suffered a moderate grade syndesmosis injury in a tackle during Round 21. The ankle injury will not require surgery, but the Club will take the opportunity for him to go in and have his shoulder operated on.
Read Article
7. Rhyan Mansell
The Club sought specialist opinion regarding Rhyan Mansell's foot soreness leading into Round 21. Following their assessment, the Club has made the decision to rule him out for the remainder of the year.
Read Article
38. Tom Sims
Sims has some medial sesamoid pain, with the plan to offload him until he is pain-free.
Read Article
49. Kaleb Smith
Smith sustained a quad strain in the July 19 VFL game.
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 Article
16. Josh Smillie
Smillie and the Club are entirely focused on setting him up for a full pre-season.
Read ArticleLast Updated:
