Richmond are hopeful a back complaint which forced star Brett Deledio out of Friday’s AFL intraclub practice match is not significant.

The two-time best and fairest ran gingerly off the field in the first of the three periods the Tigers played in the hour-long Whitten Oval hit-out.

Assistant coach Ross Smith said the 24-year-old would have scans after experiencing back tightness, but did not seem badly hurt.

“He jogged off, so hopefully it’s something minor,” Smith said.

“It’s hard to know until we scan it but, at the moment, he’s just tightened up and we don’t think it’s anything major.”

Deledio’s pre-season had previously been trouble-free.

That incident was the only setback for the Tigers in a practice match that delivered a few positive signs.

The game was predictably scrappy, given the early stage of the year and windy conditions.

But reigning best and fairest Trent Cotchin stood out, showcasing his skill and poise with a typically-classy showing, while hard-working midfielder Nathan Foley and lively forward Jake King also looked good.

One side featured all of the Tigers’ stars, in what appeared an early indication of the club’s first-choice team.

That team included ex-Adelaide ruckman Ivan Maric, the club’s top national draft pick Brandon Ellis and mature-aged recruit Steven Morris.

Ellis, who at 18 is already more strongly built than most of his team-mates, and Morris, who impressed with fierce attack on the ball and opponents, both played in defence, where they look set to add aggression and pace.

Smith said both were likely to be in the senior side early in the home-and-away season.

That should free up Deledio for more midfield time, he said.

Smith said the Tigers coaching staff liked what they saw in the ruck, with Andrew Browne and Angus Graham both on the opposing side to Maric.

Star forward Jack Riewoldt, coming off a pre-season limited by hip, finger and ankle surgery, played a decent amount of game time and kicked some clever goals.

Young key defender Dylan Grimes showed no sign of the serious hamstring injury which brought an early end to his promising 2011.

But fellow tall defenders David Astbury and Kelvin Moore, who also had their 2011 seasons ruined by injury, will remain sidelined for some time.

Another notable absentee, injury-prone key forward prospect Ben Griffiths, is closer to a return.