RICHMOND will face a difficult selection call on premiership stars Nick Vlastuin, Josh Caddy and Jack Graham, with the trio pushing their case to be available for its blockbuster clash with Collingwood on Sunday.
To compound coach Damien Hardwick’s selection headache, all members of the team that dismantled Melbourne on Anzac Day eve have pulled up well, and there's no concerns for the club after a five-day break.
"They're available for selection first and foremost, (but) we'll finalise our side after training today," Hardwick said.
"All the guys that played last week have pulled up really well, so they're available as well.
"We're in a really good place at the moment."
Hardwick also refused to promise Jack Higgins a spot, despite the first-year sensation kicking three goals in an impressive performance in the Anzac Day eve thrashing of Melbourne.
Strong competition for spots saw the first-round pick dropped after his two-goal debut against Hawthorn in round three.
"I can't guarantee (Jack's spot) unfortunately at the moment, we've got some really good players that were unavailable last week that have become available," Hardwick said.
"Jack played really well last week, as did a number of other players, so there's going to be some unfortunate guys that are going to miss out. But that's the nature of the business, and they understand that."
The MCG clash will be the first time the clubs have faced off with both sitting in the top eight since round four, 2013, and as top-five sides since round six, 1985.
With a crowd of over 90,000 expected to see the traditional rivals lock horns, Hardwick said meetings with Collingwood were always fierce no matter how well the clubs were performing.
"I think ladder positions are irrelevant for those sort of games," Hardwick said.
"Although ladder positions would say they haven't been blockbusters, I think they've always been really close.
"Every year is a formidable contest, (and) they're a terrific side and the way they're playing this year is fantastic.
"They're a real form side of the competition."
Sitting on top of the ladder for the first time since 1995, the reigning premiers are set to get even stronger, with star playmaker Daniel Rioli just weeks away from resuming from an ankle injury sustained in last year's Grand Final.
Hardwick said the 21-year-old would return through the VFL, with round eight or nine a possibility.
"He's going well and training a little bit more, and I think he joins in full training next week," Hardwick said of Rioli.
"His long-term future is really important for us, so there'll be no rush from our point of view.
"When he's ready, he's ready."
