Noah Balta

Following consultation with the Club’s medical staff, Richmond can provide the below injury update for Round 20.

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

Jack Ross: Concussion, Available

We took the cautious approach of giving Jack Ross the extra week off, following his two concussions in six weeks.

He had a really strong week on the track in both our main training (Friday) and Sunday’s rehab session. So, he will train again this week and put his hand up for Saturday night’s game.

Taj Hotton: Ankle, Available

Taj Hotton injured his right ankle in a marking contest.

He came off to get that ankle strapped and returned to the field to collect a few more disposals before finishing the game with an extended rotation on the bench, which was just out of caution.

The ankle is settling well, and there is no reason for us to think Taj won’t train fully on Thursday and play on Saturday.

19:00

Harry Armstrong: Foot Soreness, Round 21

Harry Armstrong played on the weekend at VFL level but unfortunately following the game has had some foot soreness.

It is not a significant issue, but we will manage him carefully this week, give him the weekend off, and reassess early next week.

Ben Miller: Heel, Round 21

Ben Miller’s foot is settling well after he reported some worsening symptoms related to his existing heel pain after the Carlton game.

He will have another week off this week, but the plan is for him to train fully next week and be available for West Coast.

Campbell Gray: Hamstring, Round 22

It was another good week for Campbell Gray, who is progressing well from his hamstring injury. We have great confidence that he will be back playing for the final three weeks of the season.

Tom Burton: Groin, Round 22

We are carefully managing Tom Burton and his training and game loads, which is why he did not play VFL on the weekend.

He trained on Sunday with the rehab group, and it was apparent that a groin issue he has been dealing with could benefit from an additional week off this week. There is then a VFL bye, so it will become another two weeks off.

1:08:22

Jasper Alger: Ankle, Round 22

Jasper Alger unfortunately had a significant ankle injury landing from a marking contest in Sunday’s VFL game. He was unable to complete the game.

He had a scan yesterday, and it confirmed a lateral ligament sprain. He is in a boot temporarily but should progress quickly and be available again for selection in Round 22.

Steely Green: Concussion, TBC

Steely Green got a head knock just before the three-quarter time siren of Sunday's game. After assessment, he was pulled out of the game and put into the concussion protocols.

He is feeling quite good, but as always, we will leave him as TBC while we see how he progresses.

Noah Balta: Toe, TBC

Noah Balta had an awkward landing during a contest in Sunday’s game. He was aware of some toe pain right away, but was able to finish the game.

It has pulled up pretty swollen this week, so he is currently in a moon boot out of caution.

We will continue to assess Noah throughout the week before providing a further update, but we are not expecting him to play on Saturday night.

Noah Balta

Tom Sims: Toe, TBC

Tom Sims reported some medial sesamoid pain last week, so was not selected to play in the VFL on the weekend.

The plan now is to offload him until he is pain-free. We will assess how that settles and plan next steps for Tom accordingly.

Kaleb Smith: Quad, Season

Kaleb Smith unfortunately suffered a quad strain on the weekend that ended his VFL game early.

It is about a six-week injury, so unfortunately it will take him through to the end of the season.

Jacob Hopper: Ankle, Season

Unfortunately, Jacob Hopper is still experiencing some pain when running.

The next step for him is to consult with some surgeons to determine if surgical stabilisation is needed.

With only five rounds left in the season, regardless of what action we take, we will run out of time to get Jacob back playing this year.

Jonty Faull: Back, Season

Jonty Faull is going well and has had some repeat MRI scans, which have shown some reduction in bone stress.

We are now looking at his return-to-run plans and setting him up for the pre-season.

Josh Gibcus: Knee, Season

Josh Gibcus is upping his strength work in the gym and going well with his circuit training.

Like the other guys who have been ruled out for the season, we are now looking at his pre-season and making sure he is ready for that.

Josh Smillie: Quad, Season

As reported towards the end of last week, we made the collective decision not to risk Josh Smillie by returning him to play this season.

He has been continuing with his training this week per that plan.

Brought to you by

nib
Player Injury Estimated Return
4. Sam Lalor

4. Sam Lalor

Knee Test

Lalor had a collision incident involving his right knee late in the Round 22 AFL game.

Read Article
21. Noah Balta

21. Noah Balta

Toe Season

Balta injured his toe after an awkward landing during a contest in Round 19.

Read Article
22. Sam Cumming

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

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

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

49. Kaleb Smith

Quad Season

Smith sustained a quad strain in the July 19 VFL game.

Read Article
2. Jacob Hopper

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

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

18. Josh Gibcus

Knee Season

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

Read Article
16. Josh Smillie

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

4. Sam Lalor

Lalor had a collision incident involving his right knee late in the Round 22 AFL game.

Read Article
Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Test
22. Sam Cumming

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
Injury: Ankle/Shoulder
Est. Return: Season
7. Rhyan Mansell

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
Injury: Foot
Est. Return: Season
38. Tom Sims

38. Tom Sims

Sims has some medial sesamoid pain, with the plan to offload him until he is pain-free.

Read Article
Injury: Toe
Est. Return: Season
2. Jacob Hopper

2. Jacob Hopper

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

Read Article
Injury: Ankle
Est. Return: Season
8. Jonty Faull

8. Jonty Faull

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

Read Article
Injury: Back
Est. Return: Season

Last Updated: