Damien Hardwick planning for Todd Goldstein to play against Richmond

RICHMOND is prepared for Todd Goldstein despite the North Melbourne ruckman being in doubt for Friday night’s clash in Tasmania.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Todd Goldstein of the Kangaroos is tackled by Lance Franklin of the Swans during the round 10 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 27, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

RICHMOND has planned for North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein to play in Tasmania on Friday night.

The Tigers travelled to Hobart on Thursday with Troy Chaplin and Connor Menadue both making the trip after Hardwick admitted several of the team that defeated Essendon last week were sore.

Goldstein is in doubt for the clash after copping a knock to his knee in the Kangaroos loss to Sydney and has done little on the training track this week.

“If he plays he plays, if he doesn’t, he doesn’t,” Hardwick said.

“We’ll plan as if he’s playing and if he’s not, we’ll look at that.

“He’s a significant player, he’s the best ruckman, in my opinion, in the league.

“… If he doesn’t play it’s a good player that we don’t have to worry about but they bring in a capable player in Majak Daw who’s proved at AFL level he’s a good player.

“We’ll prepare thoroughly anyway.”

The Tigers are planning for Todd Goldstein to play. Picture: Getty Images

Hardwick said Thursday’s training session in Hobart would help decide his team.

“We’ve still got some players, much like the Goldstein one, a few guys a little bit sore,” he said.

“We’ll see how they pull up at training and make our decisions.”