Richmond are without their Big Four for the first time since the start of the 2010 AFL season.
Dustin Martin’s suspension and Trent Cotchin’s hamstring injury means they join Jack Riewoldt and Alex Rance on the sidelines.
Next Saturday’s away game against Port Adelaide will be the first time Richmond have not had any of their four top players in the team since Martin made his debut in round one of the 2010 season.
With Rance and Riewoldt already sidelined through injury, Martin was suspended for two games on Monday.
Martin was banned for his elbow on Adam Kennedy and also separately fined $1,500 for striking tagger Matt de Boer.
The ban makes Martin ineligible for the Brownlow Medal, which he won two years ago, and puts him out of action for Richmond’s games against Port Adelaide and Sydney.
It is now up to the Tigers whether they take Martin’s striking ban to the tribunal.
They do not risk adding to the suspension if they challenge the charge.
The Tigers also announced on Monday that Cotchin is out of action for two to three weeks, saying he suffered a left hamstring strain in last Saturday’s loss to GWS.
In more bad news for Richmond, defender Jayden Short suffered a right dislocated elbow and will be out of action for eight weeks or more.
Short ruptured ligaments and was to visit a surgeon on Monday to figure out what to do next.
“We’re obviously disappointed to lose Trent and Jayden to injury for a period of time,” Tigers football boss Neil Balme said.
“Fortunately, we expect to bolster the team with some players to return from injuries, as well as Dylan Grimes being available for selection.”
Martin is in double trouble from the league and could face further financial sanction after losing his cool in the match.
The AFL could ask Martin to explain a couple of incidents where he flipped the bird to an opponent and also imitated snorting drugs.
There is speculation the drugs sledge was directed towards Shane Mumford, who was suspended for the opening two games this season after a video emerged of him snorting white powder.
Richmond have lost Rance for the rest of the season with a knee reconstruction, while Riewoldt has a wrist injury.
The four stars had enjoyed a dream run with injuries – until Rance went down in round one; all of them had played at least 20 games per season since 2015.
