Richmond to recall Marlion Pickett after the bye as midfield squeeze looms

Jacob Hopper and Marlion Pickett will both be available to play after Richmond’s bye, creating a headache for Andrew McQualter. Who misses out? Plus the latest on Tom Lynch.

MELBOURNE - June 15 , 2023 : AFL. Richmond training. Richmonds Marlion Pickett during the Tigers training session at Punt Road Oval today . Photo by Michael Klein.

Marlion Pickett has been assured he will slot back into the Richmond side to take on Brisbane on Thursday week as the break gives him time to overcome a nagging hip pointer injury.

Richmond’s players will continue their charge towards finals against Brisbane next week but have the week off with the bye to gather themselves before a final nine-week charge.

Richmond has won five of the past seven games, with their only losses a one-point defeat at Dreamtime at the ’G and a plucky 10-point loss to Port Adelaide when they kicked 9.13.

The Tigers would need to win at least six of those nine games and will need to do so without Tom Lynch, whose post-bye return date has again eased back.

Pickett at Richmond training last week. Picture: Michael Klein

Richmond is determined not to rush his return and put him in a position to reinjure his broken foot so his return date is still uncertain.

The Tigers got a positive update that his broken foot was healing from a specialist last week but he is yet to make any ground towards being reintegrated back into the football program.

Fitness boss Luke Meehan said last week Jacob Hopper (calf) would be ready after the bye, so the club has to decide whether to risk him against the Lions.

Pickett missed the victory over St Kilda after he was bailed on burglary charges after a decision between club and player that he would be better served sidestepping the contest.

He had been battling a minor hip issue that will have fully resolved itself by that Brisbane clash.

The 31-year-old will slot straight back into the Richmond side given strong form before his arrest.

He needs only two more games to hit a trigger clause under his contract to secure a new deal for 2024.

Under the terms of his bail Pickett must attend the Reservoir police station every Tuesday before an August committal mention via video-link for his charges.

If the Tigers also select Hopper there will be a selection squeeze given there were no fresh injuries in Trent Cotchin’s 300th game.

Jacob Hopper should return for Richmond after the bye. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Maurice Rioli (six possessions) would be a chance to fall out of the side, while Hugo Ralphsmith started as the sub and had three possessions when brought into the game.

There is no VFL game this weekend so all Tigers listed players will have a break up until the weekend, when they will begin ramping up for that Brisbane contest at the Gabba.

Cotchin was squeezed out of the midfield by the Tigers because of Hopper and Tim Taranto’s recruitment and managed amid quiet form.

So coach Andrew McQualter’s challenge will be to bring Hopper back into that side without completely sidelining Cotchin, who has been excellent playing increased centre square minutes in the past three weeks.