Richmond backman David Astbury is battling illness ahead of Friday night’s AFL preliminary final against Collingwood with the Tigers to make a late call on whether he plays.

Astbury was sent home from training on Thursday and effectively quarantined from his teammates after suffering flu-like symptoms.

The Tigers are hopeful Astbury will be available to play but are unlikely to make a final call until 5pm on Friday, with first-year defender Ryan Garthwaite named as an emergency.