Callum Coleman-Jones will seek to kick-start his AFL career and Richmond’s premiership defence against Adelaide on Sunday, when the talented tall makes his long-awaited return to senior level.
The 21-year-old’s playing future hung in the balance last September when he and teammate Sydney Stack were banished from Queensland and suspended for 10 matches after breaking strict COVID-19 protocols.
But the Tigers kept their faith in both players and Coleman-Jones has shone at VFL level this season, kicking nine goals in his last two matches and attracting attention from rival clubs.
Tom Lynch’s knee injury has opened the door for Coleman-Jones to add to the single senior game he played in 2019, after being taken at pick 20 in the 2017 national draft.
He is one of six inclusions for Richmond in a fixture that was hastily rearranged this week, moved from the MCG to Sydney’s Giants Stadium because of Victoria’s latest coronavirus outbreak.
“We’re really excited to give him his opportunity,” Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.
“It’s been a long time between drinks, but he’s been one of the form players of the competition at the lower level.”
Fellow tall Mabior Chol also returns for Richmond alongside premiership midfielders Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia, Josh Caddy and Shai Bolton.
Excitement machine Bolton is back after two weeks on the sidelines with a broken wrist sustained in a nightclub fight.
“He’s important to the way we play and he’s been really important when we’ve needed some troops to come through that midfield part of the ground,” Hardwick said.
“We expect him to come in and play a really vital role for us.
“He’s trained really well with a bit of a guard on his hand … I think the doc would prefer him to play with the guard but we’ll wait and see how he goes.”
Richmond have also lost key defender David Astbury (Achilles soreness) and Patrick Naish (hamstring) to injury, and Marlion Pickett to suspension, while Daniel Rioli and Jack Ross have been dropped.
Rioli will be the Tigers’ medical substitute against Adelaide.
Richmond (5-5) have not won consecutive games since the opening two weeks of the season and are attempting to break back into the top eight at the halfway point.
The Crows (4-6) named an unchanged line-up after last week’s shock one-point win over then-ladder leaders Melbourne.
Richmond are unsure where they will head after Sunday’s game, with a possibility they will be sent direct to Perth if the round 12 fixture against Essendon is moved away from Melbourne.