Richmond star Brett Deledio is in doubt for Saturday’s AFL match against the Western Bulldogs because of an unspecified injury.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick has revealed that Deledio was injured during last Thursday night’s heart-stopping win over Carlton.

Deledio was one of the best players on the ground in the first term, but was quiet for the rest of the game when Andrejs Everitt went onto him.

“‘Lids’ played hurt – he was really impressive for a guy who I didn’t think was going to finish the game,” Hardwick said.

“He’s a wait and see – we’ll see how he trains today, if he trains at all.

“He’s an important player, so we’ll give him up at the last minute to see how he goes.”

Hardwick was coy when asked what was wrong with Deledio or whether he took the injury into the Carlton match.

He added the Tigers would leave it up to the star utility to make the call on Saturday’s game.

“He’s one of those guys – he’ll be able to tell me whether he’s right or not to go,” Hardwick said.

“I think he’s missed one game since I’ve been here.

“He has that quick-healing blood, as he says.”

The Tigers are also without No.1 defender Alex Rance, who missed the Carlton win after he fell off his bike and broke a bone in his foot.

“It’s one of those things – he was doing active recovery and for whatever reason he falls off awkwardly and hurts himself.

But reigning club best and fairest winner Daniel Jackson will play his first senior game this year.

Jackson has had two games in the VFL after recovering from a pre-season injury.

In Jackson’s absence, Port Adelaide recruit Matt Thomas has impressed as an inside midfielder.

“Now we get two battering rams in there, which is always handy,” Hardwick said.

The Tigers coach praised senior players such as Deledio, Trent Cotchin, Troy Chaplin, Chris Newman and Jack Riewoldt for how they steadied the side late against Carlton.

The elimination final loss to Carlton last year and last Thursday’s second-half fadeout have raised questions about their onfield leadership.

“The scores were even with about seven or eight minutes to go and we had the last three scoring shots of the game,” Hardwick said.

“Credit to our leaders – they stood up.

While Carlton are a bogey side, Richmond have won their last three games against the ‘Dogs comfortably.

“I know their results are 0-2, but their contested ball stuff is outstanding,” Hardwick said of the Bulldogs.

“We just have to make sure we give them the respect they deserve, because they can hurt you going back the other way.

“They were very close against North Melbourne (to) getting the game on their own terms.”