Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia has confirmed he’s all but certain to play in Round 1 as he continues to work his way back from a hamstring injury.
Prestia didn’t feature in Friday night’s AAMI Community Series clash against Collingwood, with the club preferring to take a no-risk approach with the gun on-baller.
The triple premiership player said he was backing his ability to play in the season-opener against Carlton on the back of no practice matches in the lead up.
“I tweaked my hamstring probably two weeks ago in a main training session,” he said on Sportsday.
“I will train on Sunday just to tick off some footy and speed and then I’ll be back in with the main group.
“We contemplated playing tonight, but we just thought it gives me another two weeks to really get it right and back my ability to play without any pre-season games.
“All being well over the next two weeks, I’ll be good to go for Round 1.”
Star forward Tom Lynch also didn’t play against the Pies in the club’s final match before the start of the season due to a toe injury.
Prestia explained the circumstances behind the unusual injury, with Lynch also expected to be fully fit for Round 1.
“I think (Tom Lynch) kicked the ground and stubbed his toe (at training),” he said.
“We say Tom Lynch play with no pre-season (games last season) and have a pretty good year.
“There was no point risking a player like him (tonight).”