Richmond are resigned to being without onballer Jacob Hopper for another couple of weeks as they weather their bad run of AFL injuries.
Coach Adem Yze said after Sunday's 30-point loss to Port Adelaide at the MCG that Hopper might need a knee cleanout.
Hopper was among six injuries for the Port game, with the Tigers forced to make a late change when Maurice Rioli tweaked his back in the warmup.
After he and Tim Taranto were recruited from GWS at the end of 2022, Hopper played 16 games last season amid calf and concussion issues.
"He's going in tomorrow just to have a bit of a look inside his knee - so he might be out for two weeks," Yze said.
"They might have a bit of a cleanout.
"He probably could have tried to push his way through it, but he's too important.
"We want him to be able to train and get on top of that now."
Yze said they did not appear to suffer any more injuries against Port and could regain Nathan Broad and Rioli for next Sunday's MCG game against unbeaten Sydney.
While they are 0-3, Richmond have pushed Carlton and Port Adelaide in their last two games.
They led at halftime on Sunday and were only seven points down at the last change before Port finally shook off their challenge.
Tigers fans will point with emphasis to the 13-23 free kick count against them.
"I get it. We're proud and we expect to win, but we have to be realistic about it - it might take a little bit of time and there could be some failures," Yze said.
"I'm more excited about what we are producing when we do play the right way. We obviously have to stem the flow when they have the momentum.
"Seven goals (to Port) in the third quarter is just not good enough."
One highlight was the debut of New Zealand native Mykelti Lefau, who was honoured with a haka in the Richmond rooms before the game.
Originally picked as their sub, Lefau was brought into the 22 when Rioli was hurt.
"His story is amazing ... he's played on the MCG in front of his family," Yze said.
"He's just had the opportunity of a lifetime. He'll just be better for the run.
"There were times when he looked lost out there and that's okay. We're just really proud of his story."
