IT'S BLUE skies over Richmond, with the reigning premiers a game clear on top of the ladder and poised to regain a host of senior players over the next few weeks.

Dion Prestia will miss Friday night's game against Geelong with a fractured rib, but at this stage looks to be right to play Gold Coast the following week.

"He was close. Dion was obviously angling to play this week, but we just thought with the injury, there is a small chance it could progress further," coach Damien Hardwick said on Thursday.

"We'll take a conservative route with Dion and have him available next week versus Gold Coast. It was a great effort to play [out the match against Collingwood], I think he got that knock early in the second quarter, so for his courage to come through and help us win the game was really important."

Running defender Bachar Houli has played just 10 games this year, battling a groin complaint. He did not play at any level last weekend but will play a half of VFL footy on Saturday (also against Geelong).

"We're hoping to have [Houli] available for the Gold Coast game as well," Hardwick said.

"He's been training the last week and a half, so he's really turned the corner, so it's just getting some game time into his legs.

"I think he's missed eight of the last nine games, he's so important to the way we want to play, we'll hopefully get some game time into him this week and he'll put his hands up to play against Gold Coast."

Premiership hero Jack Graham is also a chance to return against the Suns, having not played since round 16 with a dislocated left shoulder.

FAMILIAR FOE Tigers set to face Cats with a twist

Classy small forward Dan Butler, who also injured his left ankle in the round 16 win over Adelaide, is another week away.

"They're both progressing pretty well. Jack Graham once again trained this week, so he'll have another week training next week and hopefully be able to play.

"Dan Butler's maybe a fortnight away. He's probably been a little bit of a holding pattern at the moment, but he's starting to run around, so that's a really positive sign for us.

"We're really looking forward to welcoming him back, his speed in the forward half of the ground is so important to the way we play."

Podcast: How West Coast spoiled the Giants' draft plan

Find Road to the Draft on iTunes, Audioboom, Acast, Mixcloud or RSS.