Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch will make his long-awaited return from a hamstring tendon injury in superstar teammate Dustin Martin's 300th game.
Lynch, who missed most of last season with a foot injury, hasn't played since undergoing hamstring surgery after Richmond's round-three win over Sydney.
But coach Adem Yze backed the two-time AFL premiership key forward to play in Saturday's clash with Hawthorn at the MCG, provided he got through Thursday's training session.
Lynch was in good spirits as he joined in with the session as normal, during the time open to media, ticking the final box.
He and Martin were then named as inclusions to face the Hawks, replacing injured pair Dion Prestia and Samson Ryan.
"He's done a great block of work," Yze said.
"He was putting his hand up to play last week, so we held that back and he's ready to go."
The coach insisted Lynch hadn't pushed for an early return in order to be a part of Martin's milestone game.
"He's pushed to play because he's ready," Yze said.
"He was ready last week, so we wouldn't push him any earlier.
"We've got a bye coming up after this game, so if there was any risk around playing Tom Lynch, we wouldn't do that."
Yze insisted he held no worries over the future of unlucky midfielder Prestia, who has battled soft-tissue injuries and is now sidelined with a strain in his calf.
Prestia, who was limited to walking laps on Thursday, was sidelined with a hamstring injury earlier in the season and will miss one to two weeks.
Asked if there were concerns over whether Prestia, 31, could play on, Yze said: "No, there isn't.
"He's so diligent. It was just a tough one. He got a knock on his calf during the game and he pushed through it and it's just a little bit too sore.
"In the end, we get an opportunity to rest him this weekend and have 15 days leading into the Carlton game.
"What he's done to get back from his hammy, his body shape's changed, he looks in really good nick and his running numbers on the weekend, even after copping a knock early in the game, were really positive.
"So no, I've got no issues with his future."
Midfielder Jack Ross is sidelined for at least another seven to eight weeks with a foot injury and was walking laps with Prestia on Thursday.
Yze insisted Ross's rehabilitation hadn't been "delayed", with the Tigers taking a cautious approach.
