Former Geelong ruckman Orren Stephenson and ex-North Melbourne forward Aaron Edwards could be vying to make their Richmond debuts in Saturday’s AFL match against Port Adelaide.

Tigers ruck duo Ivan Maric and Tyrone Vickery both copped injuries early in the second half of Saturday night’s loss to Geelong.

Maric returned to the field after rolling an ankle but was clearly inhibited, while Vickery was left concussed and bleeding by a head clash and did not return.

“He (Vickery) was pretty dazed last night. He had a couple of stitches in his forehead,” captain Trent Cotchin told the Seven Network’s AFL Game Day on Sunday.

“He had blood there leaking from his head and he was in a world of pain.

“He’s a very tough character and hopefully he’ll be able to get up for next week’s game.

“Obviously Ivvy (Maric) was a little bit sore in the third quarter as well.”

Cotchin said if one or both big men were unable to face the Power, Stephenson, rookie-drafted as a back-up ruckman, and Edwards, traded to the Tigers, would be in contention.

“He’s been quite impressive in the Coburg (VFL) squad,” Cotchin said of Edwards.

“The way he leads up to the footy with intent is fantastic and he’s also worked on his defensive pressure in the forward line.

“Whether or not it’s him or the big O (Stephenson), who’s been playing some fantastic footy down at Coburg as well.”

Cotchin said he was below his best against the Cats, battling both a knee complaint sustained against Fremantle in the previous round and a cold.

“There’s no excuses though, if you put your hand up to play you’ve got to perform your role for the side and I didn’t,” he said.

Former skipper Chris Newman also admitted to letting the side down early in the second half by giving away a free kick and 50m penalty with undisciplined play which led to a crucial Cats goal.

“I’m pretty disappointed in myself,” Newman said.

“We had the ball in the goalsquare down our end but then it went down their end and they kicked a goal so it could have been a 12-point turn-around.

“The disciplined acts I’ve got to get better.”