Deledio unsure when he will return to AFL

Richmond have ruled out Brett Deledio for a third AFL match as he struggles to overcome a quad muscle injury.

The vice-captain had some hope on Monday that he might be able to return for Saturday’s match against Adelaide at the MCG.

But Tigers performance manager Peter Burge ruled him out.

The problem is that while Deledio is running well, he is unable to kick more than about 20m.

“I don’t have a date and that’s probably the most frustrating thing … it will be ready when it’s ready,” Deledio told Seven’s Talking Footy.

“I’m running full-speed, but I just can’t kick at the moment.

“I can kick a (short) distance, just not anything more than 20-30m, which is pretty important in our game.”

Deledio kicked the football on the weekend, but only over 10-15m.

Separately, Burge said Deledio had been ruled out already for the Crows match.

“He’s resumed kicking, but it’s very short kicking at this stage and we’ll progress that over the next week,” he said.

“He won’t be playing this week.”

In more bad news for Richmond, defender Dylan Grimes is out of action for two games with a hamstring injury that the Tigers say is rare.

Grimes was hurt in the first quarter of Friday night’s devastating last-gasp loss to Collingwood.

“He did have this issue last year versus Adelaide as well and missed two games,” Burge said.

“We’re anticipating it will be approximately the same.”

But No.1 ruckman Ivan Maric (back) and Shane Edwards (hand) could return against the Crows.

Meanwhile, Collingwood star Dane Swan will have a better idea of his AFL fate after Wednesday’s foot surgery.

The Brownlow Medallist has had to wait nearly a fortnight for the swelling to subside after his horrific injury in the round-one loss to Sydney.

It is unclear whether the 32-year-old will play again this season and that has led to speculation about his playing future.

Swan has three broken bones in his right foot, including a lisfranc fracture.

“He’s been couch-bound, so he’ll be very keen to get an answer,” Magpies football manager Neil Balme told the club website.

“Let’s hope it goes very well.”

Meanwhile, Western Bulldogs midfielder Nathan Hrovat needed surgery for an ankle injury and will be out of action for six to eight weeks.

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