RICHMOND'S No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor has suffered a concussion and been forced off the field after a nasty collision in the dying stages of the pre-season hitout against West Coast.
Lalor appeared to hit his head and neck when he was pushed into Eagles trialist Sandy Brock in a marking contest.
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The 18-year-old was assessed by medical staff as he lay on the ground for about one minute before walking off the field.
It was later confirmed that he will enter the AFL's concussion protocols, meaning he will miss the club's AAMI Community Series game against Collingwood next Wednesday.
Richmond's season-opener is against Carlton on March 13.
"He was great today," Richmond head of development Sam Lonergan said.
"He played a little bit in the midfield and spent some time forward, which was fantastic, and contributed in both areas of the ground."
Despite Lalor's head knock, Lonergan was hopeful the young gun would make his AFL debut when Richmond takes on Carlton in round one.
"I suspect that he'll be ready regardless," Lonergan said.
"We'll just have to wait and see what happens with the concussion protocols."
Lalor has been likened to retired Richmond legend Dustin Martin and has been earmarked for a similar midfield-forward role.
"Sam comes from a cricket background and this is his first real look at a pre-season, so we need to manage his load and find out what he's capable of doing," Lonergan said.
"If it's more and he can spend more time in the midfield, we'll absolutely explore that.
"But if it's less, then we'll just keep working with him, particularly over this next 12 months, until his body physically adapts to the challenges of AFL football."
Earlier, Lalor kicked the Tigers' first goal with a set shot in an even opening period of three at Mineral Resources Park in Perth on Monday.
But it was all West Coast after that as Tyler Brockman booted three goals in a comfortable 10.2 (62) to 4.2 (26) victory for the home side.
Tyrell Dewar almost pulled in a spectacular mark on an opponent's shoulders and provided a highlight with a superb goal on the run from 50 metres.
Former Carlton forward Matt Owies kicked his first goal for West Coast, while former Tigers Jack Graham and Liam Baker also lined up in Eagles colours for the first time.
West Coast captain Oscar Allen finished with two goals.
Young guns
The sight of Elijah Hewett looking fit and firing would have pleased Eagles fans. The 20-year-old was lively and kicked a beautiful goal in the first period. Tyrell Dewar also showed exciting signs, kicking a nice major in the second term and almost reeling in a huge speccy. For the Tigers, No.1 pick Sam Lalor was dangerous inside 50, kicking a first-quarter goal, while Jacob Blight – a 23-year-old picked in last year's mid-season draft – showed promising signs behind the ball.
Switching positions
As expected, Jack Hutchinson, recruited by the Eagles in last year's mid-season draft as a forward, spent plenty of time on the wing and on the ball. Tiger Seth Campbell was given midfield minutes after catching the eye as a small forward last year.
Injury watch
The Tigers were dealt one blow when Hugo Ralphsmith appeared to grab at his hamstring in the second period. And there was a late scare, too. No.1 pick Lalor was concussed after being pushed into a contest late in the game.
Fantasy tempter
Already a popular selection, Sam Lalor (MID, $340,000) showed why he was the No.1 pick, kicking two goals and proving a constant danger inside 50. His concussion means he'll miss the Tigers' next pre-season match but if he's good to go for round one, lock him in.
WEST COAST 1.0 7.2 10.2 (62)
RICHMOND 1.1 1.1 4.2 (26)
GOALS
West Coast: Brockman 3, Allen 2, Hewett, Long, Petruccelle, Dewar, Owies
Richmond: Lalor 2, Hayes-Brown, Mansell
WEST COAST
3. Liam Baker, 5. Jayden Hunt, 7. Reuben Ginbey, 8. Elijah Hewett, 10. Tyler Brockman, 12, Oscar Allen, 13. Noah Long, 14. Liam Duggan, 16. Matt Owies, 17. Jack Graham, 19. Brady Hough, 21. Jack Petruccelle, 22. Archer Reid, 25. Matt Flynn, 26. Bo Allan, 28. Tom Cole, 29. Clay Hall, 32. Bailey Williams, 34. Jack Williams, 36. Jack Henderson, 40. Sandy Brock, 41. James Van Es, 42 Harry Edwards, 43. Tyrell Dewar, 44. Jack Hutchinson
Notable absentees: Jake Waterman, Harley Reid, Jamie Cripps, Jeremy McGovern, Liam Ryan, Tim Kelly, Campbell Chesser, Ryan Maric, Tom Gross
RICHMOND
5. Jack Ross, 7. Rhyan Mansell, 12. Ben Miller, 13. Hugo Ralphsmith, 20. Jacob Koschitzke, 22. Sam Lalor, 27. Thomson Dow, 29. Jasper Alger, 32. Samson Ryan, 33. Kamdyn McIntosh, 36. James Trezise, 37. Liam Fawcett, 38. Thomas Sims, 40. Tyler Sonsie, 41. Sam Banks, 43. Jacob Bauer, 44. Seth Campbell, 46. Jacob Blight, 47. Oliver Hayes-Brown, 48. Steely Green, 49. Kaleb Smith, 50. Campbell Gray
Notable absentees: Nick Vlastuin, Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto, Jayden Short, Tom Lynch, Toby Nankervis, Nathan Broad, Josh Smillie, Jonty Faull, Maurice Rioli
