Damien Hardwick has been losing sleep deciding how to cover the loss of his star AFL quartet but the Richmond coach sees an imposing road trip to face Port Adelaide as an opportunity to achieve something special.
The Tigers will line up with a new captain in Shane Edwards and at least five personnel changes after suspended superstar Dustin Martin joined injured leaders Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt and Alex Rance on the sidelines.
Richmond's leaders have endorsed Edwards to skipper the Tigers on Saturday at Adelaide Oval, where midfield draftee Jack Ross will make his debut.
Dylan Grimes, Shai Bolton and Jacob Townsend are set to join Ross in the 22, while Bachar Houli is likely to replace Jayden Short (elbow) in the backline.
With Martin serving a suspension - downgraded from two games to one by the AFL tribunal - for striking GWS opponent Adam Kennedy, Richmond will line up without any of their "big four" for the first time since before Martin's 2010 debut.
A round-one victory over lowly Carlton has proven to be the only real positive this season for Richmond, who face the Power after losses to Collingwood and the Giants.
"We're being tested at the moment, there's no doubt about that," Hardwick said on Thursday.
"But the reality is it's an opportunity for us. That's what we've got to look at it as.
"We certainly look forward to the challenge of going over there on their home deck, against a hostile environment, and sometimes great things happen."
Hardwick didn't hesitate to talk up powerfully-built youngster Ross, suggesting the 18-year-old would help to fill the void left by Martin and Cotchin's midfield absence.
"He's tough, he's hard. He brings a real Richmond attitude," Hardwick said.
"He's a very quiet lad but he plays the game in a brutal way and I think Richmond supporters are going to fall in love with him."
Josh Caddy also looked to prove his fitness on Thursday but appeared less likely to play, with Hardwick noting the high-marking forward had been unwell during the week.
Riewoldt is a chance to return for next week's clash with Sydney, although the Tigers are conscious of managing his workload given the four-day break in between the Swans game and the Anzac Eve fixture against Melbourne.
