COROWA export Ryan Garthwaite will sit out Sunday's JLT Community Series clash with Melbourne at Shepparton as the Richmond defender battles an ongoing achilles complaint.
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The former Murray Bushranger also missed Richmond's intra-club match on the weekend and has been on a modified training program.
"I've been battling an achilles injury and missed on the weekend but I'm not too far away from getting back into full training," Garthwaite said.
"We monitor it from session to session.
"We have a decent session, see how it pulls up, then keep increasing the intensity and are planning to do more match simulation stuff in the coming weeks.
"My gut feeling is I'll be right for selection in round 1 but obviously niggling injuries can return."
Garthwaite made the trip home to the Border on Monday with teammates, visiting local primary schools as part of Richmond's community camp on the Border.
"I'll be watching on Sunday but most of the team will be arriving in Shepparton on Friday for the community camp on Friday and Saturday."
Garthwaite has been spending plenty of time training alongside high-profile Richmond recruit Tom Lynch.
Lynch is also on a modified training program with a knee complaint.
"He is in a similar boat to myself and each week, the intensity of his training increases," he said.
"We have been training together in rehab and he is looking very fit and on track to play round one as well."
Garthwaite turns 21 in June and is taking a philosophical approach to his next senior game.
"I sort of take the approach of when my time comes - it will," he said.
"I want to play AFL as much as I can but in the meantime know that I'm learning off some of the best defenders in the league.
"That's where I am right now. I'm just trying to enjoy everything and when my time comes, just play my role and do what's best for the team."
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