Richmond's reigning best and fairest winner Daniel Jackson shapes as a likely absentee for their round-one AFL match against Gold Coast.
Jackson was supposed to play in Friday's pre-season game against Essendon at Punt Rd, but he remains sidelined.
It means that if the midfielder is picked for the season opener against the Suns on March 15, he will go into the away game without any AFL-level match practice.
Jackson is Richmond's No.1 match-up for Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett in the midfield.
The Tigers' onballer has been listed as having a groin injury.
But when asked about Jackson on Wednesday, coach Damien Hardwick would only describe the issue as "management".
As expected, key forward Jack Riewoldt will return for the match against the Bombers.
"Jackson is probably a couple of weeks away," Hardwick told AAP.
"He's running okay, we just have to make sure we manage him.
"He's touch and go for round one.
"He could be in the frame for round one, but it's a bit like a lot of guys who haven't played game time.
"Gary Ablett is the same, but he's a good player, so do you rush him in or take your time?"
In round 16 last season, Jackson earnt three Brownlow votes when he kept Ablett to 26 possessions.
"He played a terrific game against him last year, obviously," Hardwick said.
"Gary still got a Brownlow vote, but we thought Jacko had the better end of the duel."
Hardwick said Jackson's first Jack Dyer Medal as the club best and fairest winner was a just reward, but wants him to keep improving.
"People within these walls realise how important he is for this footy club," Hardwick said.
"Maybe a lot of people outside the Richmond footy club don't give him the respect he deserves, but he's an incredible leader and an incredible player.
"The challenge for Jacko is to maintain that consistency and become highly thought of as a very good player in the competition."
