RICHMOND forward Jack Riewoldt is confident he will make his much-anticipated return in the big clash with Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Sunday.
The Tigers' co-vice-captain has been sidelined for 10 weeks since the Anzac Day Eve encounter with Melbourne when he sustained a high-grade strain in the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Riewoldt just needs to get through training on Wednesday and Friday to prove his fitness.
"Yeah, I think I'll play. I can't wait. I'm really excited," the 30-year-old told Fox Footy on Tuesday night.
The three-time Coleman medallist revealed he probably fell just one training session short of being selected for the game against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, which Richmond won by 92 points.
However, Riewoldt said his knee still wouldn't be fully recovered for some time yet, but he is now "comfortable" enough to return to the field.
FULL INJURY LIST Who's ruled out and who's a test?
"I don't know whether I'm 100 per cent. I don't think I would get back to 100 per cent again for a while. There's still an element of rehab," he said.
"But I've got to a point now where I feel comfortable and the medical staff feel comfortable for me to go out and play.
"There's always a chance that you go out and you re-injure yourself, as there is with any injury, but in terms of being fit to play I'm right to go."
Riewoldt has played just three games this year in the most injury-plagued of his 13 AFL seasons.
His woes began in the round two loss to Collingwood when he played out the game with three injuries: a small undisplaced fracture and a ruptured ligament in his right wrist, along with a minor strain in the medial ligament in his left knee.
Of course, worse was to come when he returned against the Demons in round six.
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