Richmond key forward Jack Riewoldt told SEN’s The Run Home the coaches are facing a particularly tough decision now Vickery has served his four-game suspension for his round 18 hit on West Coast Eagles ruckman Dean Cox.
“Selection is going to be really tough,” he said.
According to Riewoldt, Vickery has trained harder than ever during his suspension to ensure a smooth transition back into the side.
“He’s certainly given himself the best chance. He has trained extremely hard and he’s taken a little bit out of the suspension.
“He has worked so hard, you can’t explain how much it’s hurting him at the moment not being playing the last four weeks. I know he feels like he owes the group one. He’s worked his butt off to give himself every chance of playing this week and it’ll just come done to selection and which way the coaches want to go.
“Four weeks away from the game can be pretty tough to come back in, I reckon he’s found a new level of fitness,” Riewoldt said.
But four weeks away is four weeks away, and the Tigers are on a roll - without the 24-year-old ruckman.
After their 26-point victory against St Kilda last week, Richmond’s rendezvous with the Swans is the only thing standing in way of finals hopes.
Young guns Ben Griffiths and Anthony Miles have stepped up to the plate in Vickery’s absence and could make up the winning formula for this week’s do-or-die battle.
Twenty-two-year-old Griffiths, who according to Riewoldt can kick a goal from 70-metres, has provided the Tigers with a strong marking option forward of centre.
Riewoldt compared Miles to St Kilda veteran Lenny Hayes, saying he is “that guy that everyone loves around our football club”.
“He is very quiet and unassuming and goes about his job, but he puts his head in the hole every week,” he said.
“He gets a pretty big wrap for a kid that has come off the rookie list, but he deserves it.”
Damien Hardwick and the match committee will have a tough decision to make when they select the 22 to face the Swans on Saturday afternoon.
Riewoldt is glad he is not in their shoes.
“There are certainly a lot of blokes putting their hand up to play footy and we’ve got a really fit list at the moment so everyone is a chance.”
“Selection is going to be really tough,” he said.
According to Riewoldt, Vickery has trained harder than ever during his suspension to ensure a smooth transition back into the side.
“He’s certainly given himself the best chance. He has trained extremely hard and he’s taken a little bit out of the suspension.
“He has worked so hard, you can’t explain how much it’s hurting him at the moment not being playing the last four weeks. I know he feels like he owes the group one. He’s worked his butt off to give himself every chance of playing this week and it’ll just come done to selection and which way the coaches want to go.
“Four weeks away from the game can be pretty tough to come back in, I reckon he’s found a new level of fitness,” Riewoldt said.
But four weeks away is four weeks away, and the Tigers are on a roll - without the 24-year-old ruckman.
After their 26-point victory against St Kilda last week, Richmond’s rendezvous with the Swans is the only thing standing in way of finals hopes.
Young guns Ben Griffiths and Anthony Miles have stepped up to the plate in Vickery’s absence and could make up the winning formula for this week’s do-or-die battle.
Twenty-two-year-old Griffiths, who according to Riewoldt can kick a goal from 70-metres, has provided the Tigers with a strong marking option forward of centre.
Riewoldt compared Miles to St Kilda veteran Lenny Hayes, saying he is “that guy that everyone loves around our football club”.
“He is very quiet and unassuming and goes about his job, but he puts his head in the hole every week,” he said.
“He gets a pretty big wrap for a kid that has come off the rookie list, but he deserves it.”
Damien Hardwick and the match committee will have a tough decision to make when they select the 22 to face the Swans on Saturday afternoon.
Riewoldt is glad he is not in their shoes.
“There are certainly a lot of blokes putting their hand up to play footy and we’ve got a really fit list at the moment so everyone is a chance.”