Richardson (Tigers) - Will he play?

[Joel]

Who thinks that Richardson will play tonight? I believe he will.

From www.realfooty.com.au
Tigers deny Richardson to miss Pies clash


Richmond has scoffed at suggestions champion forward Matthew Richardson will be a late withdrawal from tonight's AFL blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG.

Richardson failed to join in training at Punt Road yesterday which, given his injury history, immediately started renewed speculation about his fitness.

However, Richmond football operations manager Trevor Poole said the club was conscious of easing Richardson's training schedule after he missed most of last season with a foot injury.

``Each week his recovery is getting better and we just want him to be fresh for tonight,'' Poole said.

``With our new fitness group here this year we are big on recovery, big on freshening up and making sure our players (are) fresh and sharp.''

Poole said Richardson was sore after last week's win over Brisbane, which was only his third game back after missing nearly all of last season and after enduring an injury-interrupted pre-season.

''(But) He did train earlier in the week at the MCG and Monday as well,'' he said.

``He has just been a little sore after games. He only played half a game in the pre-season and he has played every game at full forward for us in the first three games.''

``But Richo has been running hard in the games, running them right out, and we expect him to be fresh for tonight.''

The Tigers will also have their other star forward Brad Ottens available tonight after he proved at training yesterday he had recovered from the ankle injury which sidelined him against Brisbane last week.

With both sides having won two of their first three games, tonight's clash is one of the biggest between the two old rivals in recent seasons.

A crowd of more than 70,000 is expected for the clash but that did not stop the Pies from promoting a first gamer for tonight's clash in 19-year-old Tasmanian Danny Roach.

[Joel]

?????