AFL 2025: Richmond expects handful of ‘really exciting' returns from injury in coming weeks
Welcome reinforcements are on the way.
Richmond is set to be boosted by the returns of injured players Jayden Short, Harry Armstrong and Josh Gibcus as early as next week.
It follows the likely selection of No.1 pick Sam Lalor this week after he sustained a soft-tissue injury last month against Essendon.
Short and Armstrong will be available after their respective calf and hamstring injuries, while Gibcus will make his long-awaited return from a cruel ACL blow.
Gibcus, a highly-touted key defender, has endured an unlucky run with injuries and has not played since March last year.
Uncapped draftees Josh Smillie and Taj Hotton could then follow the returning trio in a big lift to the back-end of the Tigers' campaign.
They will each be a welcome sight for coach Adem Yze after his side was belted by the Western Bulldogs and have the in-form Adelaide this weekend.
'We'll get a few boys (back), really exciting,' Yze said.
'Harry Armstrong will play VFL footy next week, he's training really well, he'll finish off another week of training this week and be available for the following week.
'Josh Gibcus will play, touch wood, he'll be back the following week, so we'll get three or four blokes back next week.
'And then fingers crossed Josh Smillie is not too far away behind that, the back-end of the season – Taj Hotton played his first half of VFL footy on the weekend.
'The back-end of our season, hopefully see some more talent coming through and getting some opportunity at AFL level.'
Gibcus has played just two games since his debut season in 2022.
The 22-year-old sustained a severe hamstring injury, which required overseas medical assistance, before rupturing his ACL in just his second game back last season.
Yze said Gibcus had produced a 'powerful' block at training and was 'jumping out of his skin' to play.
'Yeah, no doubt, and I feel for him, he's taken a little bit longer than the others, the other boys who hurt their knees last year,' he said.
'He's jumping out of his skin and, to be fair, his last few weeks have been really powerful like he's looked back to the Gibbo we know.
'We can't wait to get him back out there, he's such a talented kid and he's a real leader down there for us.
'You can't wait for him to get some luck, like two years of setbacks. Hopefully, he gets a full run at it now.'
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