AFL 2025: Richmond defender Josh Gibcus will return, while another Tiger will be unleashed on full minutes
Gibcus has had a difficult 18 months after sustaining an ACL rupture in the Tigers' second game of 2024.
Prior to that injury, the promising key back had a series of hamstring troubles which he sought treatment for overseas.
He will make his long-awaited return this weekend in Richmond's reserves against Geelong on Sunday.
'Yeah he's (Gibcus) playing some VFL footy which is awesome, he's been chomping at the bit for the last few weeks,' Richmond coach Adem Yze said.
'He's finally got that opportunity, a big smile comes on my face when you say his name and I can't wait.
'They obviously play the next day so there will be a heap of staff staying down to be there and support him through it.
'We can't wait to see him out there.'
The Tigers will be without the experience of Tom Lynch in the senior side on Saturday but have some promising inclusions to the twos.
Jayden Short will accompany Gibcus in returning from injury and, according to Yze, will play 70 to 80 per cent game time before being available next week.
The Tigers will also look to 'unleash' untried draftee Taj Hotton, who has built steadily from ACL recovery in recent weeks.
'It's a bit about everything, really, we've got to make sure he's (Hotton) ready to play AFL footy and not just play, he's got to perform and be ready to perform,' Yze said.
'Last week was his first full game, it was still managed minutes or managed rotations, so he's played 80 per cent game time at VFL.
'This week we'll let him go, we'll unleash him, he gets to play as much game time as he can.
'Then it's around recovery and how he pulls up, we've got eight games to go and we've got make sure when he comes in we want him to stay in.
'We've got to make sure he's pulling up OK, give him the best chance – he's obviously a highly talented guy but we've got to set him up the right way.'
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