Richmond midfielder Kane Lambert has injured his ankle and will battle to be fit for the start of the AFL finals, while Dan Butler has also had an injury setback.
Lambert underwent surgery on Monday after suffering a partial syndesmosis sprain in his ankle during Saturday’s win over Gold Coast.
The 26-year-old has been arguably the Tigers’ best player this season but will miss their remaining games against Essendon and the Western Bulldogs.
“He played out the game but probably wasn’t able to run as well as he normally would,” Tigers fitness boss Peter Burge said.
“He was a little bit inhibited and came in yesterday limping. He went into some minor surgery this morning to put some reinforcement onto the ankle.
“Right now, he’s probably going to miss the next two weeks and we’re going to prepare him for the first final.”
Butler, who hasn’t played since round 16, is also in doubt for the start of the finals after undergoing the same procedure.
“We’d been progressing and building his speed and running about 95 per cent but still with a bit of a limp and still not full power,” Burge said.
“Last Friday he went in and had the same minor procedure that Kane had this morning … we’re preparing him for the first final at this stage.”
Reece Conca, who dislocated his ankle in round 15, sprained his ankle in the VFL at the weekend but should miss only one game.
The Tigers are confident ruckman Toby Nankervis (corked quad) will be available to face the Bombers on Friday night.
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