Richmond superstar Dustin Martin will miss the Tigers' clash with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba after falling ill.
The triple Norm Smith medallist will sit out Thursday night's match after developing "flu-like symptoms".
Richmond will not name Martin's replacement or their sub until an hour before the bounce of the round-16 encounter.
The sides will clash for the first time since last September's elimination final thriller.
An opportunistic Joe Daniher toe-poke goal was the difference in a two-point win that featured 17 lead changes.
Tom Lynch thought he'd sealed victory for the visitors moments earlier but his goal was overruled on review when replays suggested it had flicked the post.
"There's a good rivalry building there ... a little bit of controversy there but one of the great finals," Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
Lynch, who has a foot injury, won't be there at the Gabba on Thursday, while long-time coach Damien Hardwick's sudden exit contributed further to the Tigers' new look.
But interim coach Andrew McQualter has won three of four since taking charge to keep the modern-day greats within reach of a finals berth.
The Lions are fresh off a defeat of St Kilda at Marvel Stadium and at 10-4 can't afford to drop any further behind top-two sides Collingwood and Port Adelaide (12-2).
"They're building, we know it'll be on ... there's a fair bit at stake for both teams," Fagan said.
McQualter has welcomed back Marlion Pickett for his first game since he was bailed on June 12 after appearing in court on a dozen charges, including four counts of aggravated burglary, three of stealing and three of criminal damage.
The 31-year-old resumed training with his Tigers teammates three days later but was not selected for that week's game against St Kilda.
But, following a bye, his coach declared him ready and said the utility, "innocent until proven guilty", would be able to handle the noise around his return.
Brisbane's former captain Dayne Zorko will remain sidelined despite overcoming a calf injury, while Callum Ah Chee has replaced Kai Lohmann.
"We're at the stage now where every game's really important," McQualter said of the Tigers' top-eight pursuit.
"We know their (the Lions) best is really, really top of the table.
"We've got to try and take some things away from them and play our game as well."
