RICHMOND skipper Trent Cotchin has revealed a glimmer of hope for injured midfielder Jack Graham, saying his right shoulder issue is not as bad as first feared.
The tough Graham dislocated his shoulder in the opening quarter of the preliminary final win against Geelong and played out the game under duress, but is now in a race against time to prove his fitness for Saturday's Grand Final.
The Tigers pulled draftee Jack Ross – the club’s closest like-for-like replacement – from Sunday's VFL Grand Final victory as a standby player.
"[Graham is] much the same as the last couple of days, he seems in pretty good spirits," Cotchin said.
'GREAT PLAYER ... GREAT STORY' Tiger a chance for Grand Final debut
"His shoulder probably isn't as bad as they expected, but it'll just be one of those ones they need to make sure he's fine to play on Saturday."
Defender Nathan Broad suffered a concussion in the third term of the win, with Kamdyn McIntosh the other player taken from the VFL side as a precaution.
"Broady's the same, he's up and about. He was really good even the day after the match," Cotchin said.
"I don't know what the exact protocol is, but I'm sure he has to tick off a couple of things."
Cotchin himself suffered a knock to the leg midway through the match, as did superstar Dustin Martin, who was slated to join his skipper at the press conference but was a late scratching.
INJURY WRAP Huge Grand Final calls ahead for both clubs
"He's got more important things to do, like prepare for a game of footy. Nah, I don't even know where he is, he's shot off and got some lunch," Cotchin said with a grin.
"He's not complaining (about the knock), and he can piss and moan a bit, but no, I think he's pretty good. Much like me, probably carrying on a bit too much. We'll both be fine. Three training sessions this week and we'll be right to play on Saturday.
"It was pretty sore, when it goes numb either side of where you get hit it's an odd feeling. I just take my hat off to 'Fridge' Graham, the way he played a role for our team with the significance of his injury was pretty impressive and makes mine seem like not much at all."
Trent Cotchin receives treatment on the bench on Friday night. Picture: AFL Photos
The vast majority of the 22 who played in the preliminary final already have a premiership medallion – including Cotchin – after 2017's triumph.
"If I'm completely honest, for me, it's not about holding the cup up for a second time and so forth, it's about creating a culture that will live beyond my time at the footy club and the other players who have been such a big part of that," Cotchin said.
EVERY TIGER RATED Who starred in Richmond's preliminary final win?
"That's what makes me so proud of particularly this year, with so many guys that have grown. Shane Edwards was captain for a big chunk of the year, other guys developing right underneath him, that's what makes the football club and our environment so special.
"That's what I care about, more so than the achievement at the end."
