Hugo Ralphsmith

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.

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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.”

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Player Injury Estimated Return
47. Oliver Hayes-Brown

47. Oliver Hayes-Brown

Knee Available

Hayes-Brown is available to play after recovering from knee soreness.

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15. Jayden Short

15. Jayden Short

Corked Quad Test

Short has been restricted from a corked quad.

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4. Sam Lalor

4. Sam Lalor

Achilles Test

Lalor suffered a partial tear to his Achilles during a training session in the lead-up to Round 8.

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49. Kaleb Smith

49. Kaleb Smith

Concussion Test

Smith sustained a concussion in Round 15 of the VFL.

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11. Luke Trainor

11. Luke Trainor

Concussion Test

Trainor sustained a concussion at training in the lead-up to Round 17.

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16. Josh Smillie

16. Josh Smillie

Quad Round 20-22

Smillie sustained a small re-tear of the injury he acquired in February.

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50. Campbell Gray

50. Campbell Gray

Hamstring Round 22

Gray suffered a high-grade hamstring strain in Round 10.

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12. Ben Miller

12. Ben Miller

Heel TBC

Ben Miller presented to the medical clinic following Richmond's Round 18 match with some plantar heel pain.

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5. Jack Ross

5. Jack Ross

Concussion TBC

Ross suffered a concussion in Richmond's Round 17 AFL game.

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2. Jacob Hopper

2. Jacob Hopper

Ankle TBC

Hopper suffered a stress fracture in his ankle following the Round 14 game against Brisbane.

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8. Jonty Faull

8. Jonty Faull

Back Season

Faull will miss the remainder of the 2026 AFL season due to stress fractures in his back.

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18. Josh Gibcus

18. Josh Gibcus

Knee Season

Gibcus sustained an ACL sprain in the VFL Round 5 game.

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4. Sam Lalor

4. Sam Lalor

Lalor suffered a partial tear to his Achilles during a training session in the lead-up to Round 8.

Read Article
Injury: Achilles
Est. Return: Test
12. Ben Miller

12. Ben Miller

Ben Miller presented to the medical clinic following Richmond's Round 18 match with some plantar heel pain.

Read Article
Injury: Heel
Est. Return: TBC
8. Jonty Faull

8. Jonty Faull

Faull will miss the remainder of the 2026 AFL season due to stress fractures in his back.

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Injury: Back
Est. Return: Season

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