Newman landed on his right knee after a marking contest in the third quarter of the Tigers' 14-point loss to Melbourne in the NAB Challenge match at Etihad Stadium and had to be helped from the ground.

 

The 31-year-old was treated in the rooms and didn't come back on as the Tigers narrowly fell to a brave Demons' outfit.

 

After the match, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said while it was too early to tell the full extent of Newman's injury, early signs indicated he had possibly dodged a bullet.  

 

"We're hoping it's just jarred at this stage. I think he landed a bit awkwardly, but we'll find out more in the next couple of days," Hardwick said.

 

"He was up walking around so we're just hoping it's jarred."

 

The Tigers were without a number of first-choice players for the clash with the new-look Dees, including Jack Riewoldt, Daniel Jackson, Reece Conca, Ivan Maric and Dylan Grimes.

 

Riewoldt, who missed with a quad strain but is expected to be available for next Saturday's NAB Challenge encounter with Collingwood in Wangaratta along with Conca and Jackson, made headlines this week for his self-imposed media ban.

 

The two-time Coleman medallist took offence to the way the media handled his omission from the leadership group, which he believed overshadowed the promotion of Troy Chaplin into the structure.

 

The club has since said it had opted for a reduced number in the group this season – from six down to five – as the team had matured.

 

Hardwick said he empathised with how Riewoldt felt and called for calm around how people reacted to his decision to completely remove himself from the media.   

 

"I think we've probably got to lay off some guys a little bit. These guys live in a bubble and it's very hard, a lot of people don't understand how people feel within these situations," he said.

 

"I know Jack and a lot of people inside the club and a lot of people outside know what a quality kid he is, and probably the disappointing thing from my point of view is Jack improved as a leader last year - what people didn't take into account was other people improved more.

 

"Overall, we were really pleased with where he's at and how he's going, and I probably think we can cut some people some slack at certain stages.

 

"They're easy targets and us Aussies, we do it as good as anyone."

 

Of the game, Hardwick praised the Demons for being harder around the contest, controlling the ball better and for having a stronger intent, which he expressed his frustration over at three-quarter time.

 

"It will give everyone a bit of an eye-opener now," he said.

 

"I often try to remain really composed, but I was disappointed with their overall intent.

 

"That's a big things in footy games - if you don't bring it, you don't often win."

 

He praised the late performance of draftee Sam Lloyd, who improved as the game went on, and that of rookie Anthony Miles, who did his chances of promotion to the senior list no harm with a solid game in the midfield.

 

Twitter: @AFL_JenPhelan